We’ve seen a lot of good done in the world from the Causely community’s dedication to checking in on Facebook. It’s rare to see such tangible outcomes from our efforts. Which is why we’re excited to spotlight our partnership with buildOn.

In August 2015, we supported buildOn by providing 44,025 bricks for a new school in Laureles de El Cua, Nicaragua. Every 4 Facebook Check-Ins provided 1 brick for the school, and we were able to build an entire school. Here’s the story of how it happened.

The Need In Nicaragua

buildOn works in some of the poorest countries on the planet to build schools in villages with historically inadequate school structures. They have built more than 780 schools in seven countries.

Nicaragua, one of the countries served by buildOn, is the third lowest in the United Nations Human Development Index as a country with low life expectancy, literacy, education, and standard of living. 22% of the population is unable to read and write. And 79.9% of the population earns less than $2 per day. Making it a priority for buildOn’s efforts.

(The above photo is of the pre-existing school that buildOn replaced.)

(Here is the same building from the inside, full of members from the village.)

Because the structure was insufficient, with incomplete walls and a mud floor, some students chose to walk 2.5 miles to another community with better learning facilities. There were at least 45 students and 2 teachers who remained at this school. 

 

The Process For Building

When buildOn partners with a community, every single member of that community signs a “buildOn covenant.” The covenant outlines buildOn’s contribution to the project as well as the community’s. They don’t just build a school, they work with the local community and utilize local skills to build a school together. 

buildOn contributes the engineering, materials, skilled labor and project supervision. The villages contribute the land, local materials, and skilled/unskilled labor.

(the labor is shared between villagers and buildOn volunteers/staff)

Since many of the adults in the villages are illiterate, most will sign the “covenant” with thumbprints. They are passionate to see their children and grand children fight illiteracy.

One of the agreements in the covenant is that the village sends an equal number of girls and boys to the school, so that every person, not matter what gender, can end illiteracy. 

(The new structure stands in the same place as the old.)

The Final Product

Through buildOn’s partnership with Causely, and our community’s commitment to checking in on Facebook, they built an entire school. Here it is.

Here’s the first group of students to attend school in the new building, who also helped with the finishing touches on their school.

Literacy changes the trajectory of someone’s life. And we’re proud to play a part in it. Thank you for partnering with us to make a difference. Keep checking in! 

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We help businesses support great charities like buildOn. And it’s all done through Facebook check-ins. Click here to learn more.