What We Are
Active Projects • Future Projects • Sponsorship Program
Ometepe Island Orphanage
Ometepe Orphanage is a small orphanage located on the Island of Ometepe in Nicaragua. The orphanage operates on about $40,000 (US) per year housing, feeding, caring for, and educating about forty to fifty children of all ages. The orphanage was reopened in 1990 providing all the children's needs. Repairs and maintenance of living quarters, showers, and fresh water supply are in great need. The orphanage supplements what they need for food by growing local beans and rice. International Service Learning sends teams of medical students routinely to the orphanage to provide medical and dental care to the children. Medicines, dental supplies, clothing, and medical teams are provided through donations made to Good Samaritan Missions. This orphanage is an ongoing project of GSM and is always in need of monetary donations. If you are interested in receiving preaddressed envelopes in which to make monthly donations, please contact Karah at info@aboutgsm.org If you would like to make a one-time monetary donation, please send your gift to GSM and specify on the check that it is for the orphanage. All donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
Lutheran Family Services (LFS) of Central America
Lutheran Family Services of Central America serves couples of all faiths. LFS is a private Nicaraguan adoption agency approved by the government of Nicaragua. LFS is a partner organization with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nicaragua and Good Samaritan Missions.
Additional information about LFS
If you're willing to put forth lots of effort, there are a number of ways to help in funding your project with International Service Learning (ISL). Here's a primer of possibilities. In all cases, the secret is to start early and keep at it until you've done all you can. We always stand ready to help in any way we can.
Sponsorship program. Most students raise most of their funds in this
way. People and service organizations like to sponsor students-don't be
embarrassed to let us send a letter asking for sponsors for your team. Here's
how it works:
1. You fill out and sign the
sponsorship agreement that is the fourth page of the ISL application
package.
2. Depending on the information you gave us on the agreement, we send
you a packet of 30 letters with envelopes to use for mailing and a small
return envelope as well as complete instructions as to what to do and how to
do it. The letters describe the project and invite people to sponsor your
team. You're not asking for money – we're asking for sponsorships.
People respond very well to this letter because so many today want to help
internationally but don't know how. This gives them a welcomed opportunity to
get involved through you and to do so in a completely safe and accountable
manner.
3. You address the envelopes to friends, family, neighbors,
church/synagogue, local service clubs, etc. (Basically, start with your
"Christmas card" list….) after adding a short personal note to each letters.
There will be a step-by-step set of directions with your packet of sponsorship
letters.
4. As donors respond to the letters, those coming in from your mailing
are credited to your account. As with all non-profits, Good Samaritan Missions
(our parent org) retains a small percentage for overhead (bookkeeping,
postage, utilities, rent, etc….). Currently, students are receiving 85% of the
donations.
5. When it comes time to pay your account, you will receive a record of
what has been received in your names so far. Sponsorship funds coming in after
the fact are returned to you as a refund, under the terms stated in the
agreement.
6. Upon your return, you will receive an accounting of your individual
sponsorship program and instructions/suggestions for sending thank you notes..
7. THIS PROGRAM WORKS! A majority of charitable international
work is accomplished today using this or similar means of involving others in
this important work. Don't deny your friends, family, and neighbors the
opportunity to get involved-they're looking for the opportunity!