During her visits to Nicaragua to conduct PhD research, Jeannette also unwaveringly commits herself to addressing the unique needs of impoverished communities in Managua, Granada, León, and El Viejo.
Project NICA consists of four distinct initiatives strategically designed to meet the diverse and urgent needs of these regions throughout the year. Jeannette, with the help of her family, carefully crafted each initiative to align with the socio-economic realities of the individual communities while also tending to their unique religious and cultural contexts.
One of the key projects undertaken annually is the provision of 150 backpacks to underprivileged children. This project, which commenced in 2018, equips young students in Managua, Nicaragua with essential school supplies. The primary objective is to alleviate the financial burden faced by families and ensure that children possess the necessary tools for academic success.
The contents of each backpack are carefully selected to meet the basic educational needs of students and include:
- 4 notebooks
- 1 box of red, blue, and black pens
- 1 graphite pencil
- 1 eraser
- 1 ruler
The second project focuses on providing children with essential items required for their First Holy Communion. In Nicaragua, a country where Catholicism is the predominant faith, this sacrament carries profound significance for families. However, the financial burden associated with acquiring the necessary items—such as formal attire and other ceremonial essentials—can be overwhelming for many households. This economic strain often results in some families being unable to afford these items.
The inability to provide these necessary items not only affects the family’s participation but also impacts their ability to honor their faith and traditions. Through this initiative, Project NICA aims to alleviate this financial pressure by ensuring that every child has access to the items they need to fully engage in this sacrament. By doing so, families uphold their religious values and are able to celebrate their child’s spiritual journey.
Donated items include:
White First Communion dresses
Suits
Dress shoes
Veils
Candles
Other small items
La Purísima Concepción, a nine-day religious celebration in Nicaragua, is a significant part of Nicaraguan culture. Unique to the country, the celebration is understood and embraced as “muy nicaragüense.” La Purísima honors the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, the country’s patron saint, and is observed from November 28 to December 6.
In 2018, Jeannette and her family began making gift bags to celebrate the mothers in Managua, paralleling the celebration of Mary.
Recognizing the pressing needs of the community, the Olivero-Martinez family swiftly responded by shifting from gift bags to creating 'survival kits' for both men and women. These kits are now a crucial part of Project Nica.
Every year, 150 bags are donated, each consisting of:
-3 pounds of rice
- 3 pounds of beans
- 1 small bag of tomato sauce
- 2 small bags of spaghetti
- 2 soups
- 3 pounds of sugar
- 1 liter of oil
- 1 liter of salt
- 1 small bag of mustard
- 1 small bag of coffee
- 1 box of matches
Project NICA
While the three projects mentioned above are important initiatives, the Olivero-Martinez family continuously sends boxes of essential items throughout the year. Nicaragua has a tropical climate, so we send boxes containing hats, shoes, and lightweight clothing suitable for warm weather.
We also bring items such as dolls, stuffed animals, coloring books, and toys.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Nicaraguans LOVE baseball. Children often create baseballs with the little resources they can find, such as bundles of tape. Used items such as baseballs, bats, gloves, and other sporting goods sincerely brings immense joy to whole communities.
