I-CARE PROJECTS

8.31.11

I-CARE is at a cross-roads.  During the first five years of our existence, we selected projects on a fairly ad hoc basis.  We met with people, listened to their needs, and attempted to remedy those needs as best we could.  We are proud of what I-CARE has accomplished and we believe I-CARE has improved--even changed--people's lives.

And wanting to improve ourselves, we thought long and hard about how I-CARE can better fulfill its mission.  We decided I-CARE should be more proactive in its project selection and develop a long-term plan.  This planning spawned the two long-term projects described below. 

Read on to see what we've done in the past, what projects we are currently working on, and what projects we have planned in the future.  Then join us on our fun and fulfilling mission! 

PAST

    Hospitál Escuela Danilo Rosales Project

     This, I-CARE’s pilot project, was born out of a January 2005 visit to the Hospitál Escuela Danilo Rosales by I-CARE’s directors.  The directors, witnessed first-hand the hospital’s needy state.  Nicaragua’s rural poor come here from all corners of the county seeking treatment.  Despite the heroic efforts of hospital staff, limited funding means the clinic’s cancer patients are treated at standards markedly below those in the United States.   For example, the single chemotherapy treatment room had inadequate furnishing, no sink for sanitizing, and no air conditioning, in a city where temperatures regularly top 100°.

     The hospital project modernized the hospital chemotherapy treatment room; provided medical supplies such as bed linens, patient gowns, rubber gloves, specialized lighting, and surgical instruments; and even paid for medical care for patients who otherwise could not have afforded it.  In short, the project gave Nicaragua’s destitute cancer victims a facility where they can recover with the safety and dignity every human deserves.

PRESENT

     Women's Cancer Screening

     I-CARE is currently financing the work of a women's health care advocate (and cancer survivor) to provide cancer screening for indigent Nicaraguan women.  Our advocate, Maritza Medrano saves lives by educating impoverished women on the dangers of various cancers affecting women, by obtaining cancer screening for those women, and by fighting to get them adequate and timely health care when necessary.

Microfinance

     I-CARE recently made our first direct microloan to an entrepreneur in Nicaragua.  We will have the complete story for you here soon.  Additionally, I-CARE has joined the microfinance pioneer www.kiva.org .  While we fundraise for our long-term projects, our savings will "work" for small business people in Central America.

FUTURE

     Voluntourism

     I-CARE was founded after a number of eye-opening trips to Central America over five years ago.  Meeting people and hearing their stories changed our lives.  The trips didn't just make us feel outraged for injustices we saw, sorry for the people we met, or guilty for how lucky we are (although it did all of that too).  More importantly, the trip opened our eyes to a universally shared humanity.  Somehow, connecting with people of a different culture showed us just how similar we all really are.

     We want to foster similar connections for others.  To make this happen--and because we love spending time in Nicaragua--I-CARE's directors are purchasing property along Nicaragua's beautiful Southern Pacific Coast.  We are doing this with personal funds, not the organization's money, but the property will be I-CARE's base in Central America.  We hope to bring our first "voluntourists" to Nicaragua for Spring Break 2011.  Again, check back here often for updates.

     Rule-of-Law

     I-CARE was founded by law students and is directed by attorneys, and we believe deeply in the rule of law.  That is, we believe in the idea that society should be governed by a known set of rules that apply equally to all people.  I-CARE's directors work in support of the rule of law in the United States every day, and we believe we possess the knowledge and connections to do the same in Central America.  Our plan includes using our I-CARE base in Nicaragua as a retreat where we can invite groups--from students to political elites--to engage in a shared discussion about the rule of law.

     Scholarships

     I-CARE is launching a scholarship program to encourage students at its co-founders' alma mater, Drake University Law School, to dream big and develop not-for-profit projects of their own.  Each year, I-CARE will solicit nominations for students have taken uncommon initiative in starting or advancing a non-profit project.