The Nicaraguan Orphan Fund (NOF) fundraises throughout the year to raise money for the communities in Nicaragua that we have the opportunity to work with over Spring Break. The money we raise goes directly to funding for programs to support education, medical needs, housing needs, feeding centers and more. 

I went on the Spring Break trip this past spring. I had never been on a mission trip, and I didn’t immediately love it. It felt superficial, like I was one of those people just waiting for a chance to take a picture with a kid to Instagram. I didn’t see the point of going down to Nicaragua just to play with the kids for a week. But that’s because I didn’t understand — not yet. 

We didn’t just play around with the kids. We taught them about nutrition and about health. We talked to them about their futures and planning for parenthood. We talked to the teachers about lesson plans. We spoke with parents about how to best provide for their children under the circumstances. We saw incredible poverty and even more incredible people shining in spite of it. We discovered a passion to help these amazing, loving people we met break the cycle of poverty for themselves. 

We are bringing that passion into our work in Charlottesville this semester. The Nicaraguan Orphan Fund has hit the ground running this fall, and our fundraising has been quite successful. There are three more events that are open to the public to help aid in our efforts. 

On Thursday, Nov. 13, come out to Cane’s on Emmet Street and eat some chicken fingers from 5–8 p.m. 15 percent of the proceeds go to NOF if you mention the Nicaraguan Orphan Fund at the register. 

If you are going to the Sils concert Saturday, November 15, please feel free to donate to NOF. We will be manning a table outside the concert with a bucket for donations. 

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, try Benny Deluca’s massive slices of pizza on West Main to benefit NOF. 15 percent of proceeds will go to help our communities. 

We will also be hosting a bake sale table outside Clemons for everyone struggling through finals. 

Hoo doesn’t like helping people and eating food?

If you are interested in going on the Spring Break trip, there are still spots open. This trip is an amazing opportunity to make lasting friendships with your fellow trip members, our translators, and the members of communities we work with. Please email nicaraguanorphanfund@gmail.com for more information.