Final Presentations

This week in our class we all presented on a subject matter relating to Nicaragua that interested us. There were so many interesting topics presented along with great proposals for solutions. In my group we analyzed three separate international development projects including their successes and failures and provided a form in which this formation can be useful to the Nicaraguans. Many groups explored topics related to problems in Nicaragua and gave excellent proposals and solutions.

One presentation that I truly enjoyed was that of Patricia and Rocco. They addressed the issue of poor Dental Hygiene in Nicaragua. They made it clear that dental hygiene in Nicaragua is abysmal due to the lack of dentists available in the rural regions and in order to prevent the need for dental care, preventative care is essential. It is not that the Nicaraguans don’t understand the necessity of dental hygiene, but they are just simply not encouraged to follow these practices and do not have reinforcing structures to do so like here in the U.S.

The aspect of this project that I enjoyed the most is how a tangible project will be implemented when we travel to Nicaragua. Patricia and Rocco created a toothbrush holder with dental hygiene cartoons on the front to distribute to young children in Nicaragua. They really put a lot of thought into creating this toothbrush holder from what material would be used to create it to how to make it last. Once their prototype was created, they created a three step implementation plan in order for the holders to have the best possible impact. These three steps being motivation, ability or education, and the presence of a visual trigger. I think it was very important how Rocco and Patricia understood that their project was not a revolutionary change but rather a small-step towards long lasting change. They admitted that they knew this toothbrush holder wasn’t going to completely change dental hygiene in Nicaragua but it would be a strong step in reversing the vicious cycle of bad dental hygiene. I also think it is important to note that they will be using their own funds to create 50 of these toothbrush holders as well as devoting out of class time to the project. This project clearly reflects the steps that need to be take in order to make changes to the problems in these regions. We need to make small changes to ultimately end the problem.

Another project that interested me was Kira and Kayuri’s. They discussed mining in Nicaragua. I particularly enjoyed their project due to the questions and discussion that it incites. They presented facts about the mining industry in Nicaragua. For example, it produces $460 million annually for the economy and provides jobs for working class people. Families depend on this industry and it is an industry that is currently booming due to the interest of mining companies to settle in Nicaragua. A case study of a mining company, B2 gold, was provided and it was shown that the company praises Nicaragua as a great place to do business due to relaxed laws that make exploiting the Nicaraguan resources easy. Obviously, they create confusing jargon to explain this reason.

These mining companies promise to provide safe working conditions and provide benefits and resources in the communities in which they are established. However, as we can observe throughout history this is not the case. We were shown a video of a protest by a small mining community against B2 gold because of the destruction of their community. Is this an example of a community that enjoys the presence of a mining company? At the end of the day the government benefits from mining and the mining companies benefit from mining, so there is no reason to change the system. There is no reason to stop exploiting local communities. However, Kira and Kayuri made an interesting point as to how mining is not a logical way to sustain the economy. Gold veins are finite and eventually all natural resources will be exhausted. What will occur then? The country’s economy will spiral out of control. This also bring up an important question which is should mining be abolished even though for most it provides the only form of income. This is where one weighs the pros and the cons which is impossible to do. What is more important,  safety and the economical success of future generations or your short-term survival. This is an impossible question to answer and the Nicaraguans shouldn’t have to. The government has to step up and provide ways in which the Nicaraguans can thrive without the exploitation of their resources and the endangering of their health.

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