By Taylor J. Hale
Special to the Gazette

STEVENS POINT — Wisconsin-Nicaragua Partners of the Americas (WNP) hosted their 53rd Annual Meeting on
Dec. 15 in Stevens Point. This year featured three special visitors from Nicaragua.

Executive Director of the program Amy Wiza is thrilled to see the city come together collectively to support a developing country.

“People from all over the state come for the meeting,” Wiza said. “This year is especially exciting because of our guests from Nicaragua, Mirna, Leonor and Rosa.”

The trio came to thank the philanthropic Wisconsinites who have helped their communities. This December alone, four 52-foot semi trucks were loaded with goods to be transported to Nicaragua via America/Nicaragua joint government programs.

“The trucks were loaded up with sewing machines, bikes, sewing materials and more,” Wiza explained.

The program also teaches Nicaraguans vocational skills, such as teaching women to sew and men to work on bikes. Many local businesses and individuals help in the efforts to assist the developing nation. Thrivent sponsored this year’s meeting, offering new guests free lunch and admission.

“We believe strong citizen participation is vital to having a healthy community,” Wiza said. “We have four meetings similar to this each year to encourage people to get involved. I have seen a lot of growth and interest. We are starting to outgrow our space. That’s a good thing.”

Mirna Angulo, a Nicaraguan guest, was thankful for the chance to meet the participants who are directly supporting her people. Her benevolent rapport with the city was instant.

“The sewing machines and donations have helped tremendously,” Angulo said. “The donations and programs have taught our women vocational skills so they can make an income and take it back to their community.”

The Nicaraguan crafters mostly sell their goods through social media and phone orders. Some of the more experienced foreign seamstresses get the chance to work on high-end doll dresses. It’s a highly coveted role.

“The Chica Nica program gives a woman with expertise a chance to make fantastic dresses for 18-inch American Girl dolls,” Angulo explained eloquently. “It gives the ladies an amazing wage, and even lets some people build a new home from the income they get.”

WNP is certainly making a massive impact on the communities that are involved. It offers Nicaraguans the skills and tools they need to improve their lives. Angulo is grateful for everything the organization has done.

“I want to thank everyone so much for the support and donations,” she said. “There are so many lives that have improved because of this.”

The WNP Annual Meeting gives guests and locals alike a chance to convene and develop together. To participate in future WNP events visit their website at http://wisnic.org/.