Nicaragua may be hundreds of miles away from Lopez Island, but it has a special place in the hearts of many here.

Ever since 2001, Lopez High School Spanish students have traveled there every other year for service-learning trips as guests of the Center for Development in Central America.

This Friday, Becca Mohally Renk of the CDCA will bring news from Nicaragua to Lopez with a slide show and talk at 7:30 p.m. at Lopez Center.

“Nicaragua and the CDCA have touched many of us here,” says Kirman Taylor, a member of the first all-adult delegation from Lopez to the CDCA last winter. “Dozens of people from Lopez have visited there over the years,” he says, “and it will be great to get a first-hand update from Becca about some of the projects and people we’ve worked with.”

Since 1994, the non-profit CDCA has worked side-by-side with Nicaraguan communities to help them realize their own goals and become self-sufficient, sustainable, democratic entities. “When we visited the CDCA,” Kirman says, “we saw how this organization works closely with leaders of the communities. It was inspiring.”

Becca’s presentation, “Living Our Vision: Partnering with the Poor to Build Lives with Dignity,” will provide an overview of the CDCA’s groundbreaking work in sustainable economic development, sustainable agriculture, primary health care, education, and appropriate technology.

Highlights of the talk will include updates about projects Lopezians are involved with including the rural coffee cooperative, El Porvenir, and the worker-owned cooperatives that have joined together to develop a sustainable organic cotton production chain. Artisan crafts, including organic coffee, wooden spoons, jewelry, and pottery will be available with proceeds going to the operating expenses of CDCA projects.

For more information about the upcoming presentation, contact Kirman Taylor at 468-2474 or Gene Helfman and Judy Meyer 468-2136. To learn more about the CDCA and its work, visit http://jhc-cdca.org/.