CEPAD
Consejo de Iglesias Evangélicas Pro-Alianza Denominacional
Oficina de Atención a Delegaciones y Hermanamientos
Telefax. (505) 2270-5017/18, Apto. 3091, Managua, Nic. C.A.
E-mail: partners@cepad.org.ni, nehemias@cepad.org.ni
Delegate Information Packet Part 2
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Contents
Page number(s)
Table of contents
1
About CEPAD
2-3
Travel Logistics
4
Health, safety and culture (Bienvenidos a Nicaragua!)
5-7
Nicaragua profile
8
Suggested reading
9
Tell the righteous it will go well for them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.
Isaiah 3:10
About CEPAD
The Council of Evangelical Churches of Nicaragua (CEPAD) is a non-governmental, Christian
organization founded in December, 1972, just days after an earthquake destroyed Managua. The
initial efforts of CEPAD were aimed at providing emergency relief such as food and shelter to
earthquake survivors. Once CEPAD’s founders saw the impact that protestant denominations
working together could have, they decided to continue working as a development organization, a
disaster-relief agency, and a council of protestant churches.
A council of churches
CEPAD’s General Assembly is comprised of representatives from 28 protestant denominations (of
about 240 that exist in Nicaragua). The general assembly meets bi-monthly to participate in
leadership training, Biblical reflection, analysis of current-events, and to receive updates on the
state of CEPAD’s work in Nicaragua.
Development work
Currently, CEPAD works in 30 rural communities in five regions – four of these in the Pacific side of
Nicaragua. With about 35 paid staff, at least 80 Nicaraguan volunteer community leaders and a
dozen pastor’s committees, CEPAD works in community development through four budgeted
programs:
1) Family Development, facilitating credit and skills-training to women for small animal raising,
teaching youth and women about their rights, and providing psycho-social development for children
in rural and urban communities through child-care programs.
2) Environmental Stewardship and Development, promoting the rational use and defense of natural
resources for men and women agricultural workers by training beneficiaries in techniques of
organic and sustainable agriculture and organizing and training them to be able to market their
products.
3) Political Advocacy and Human Rights, educating community development committees and
peace commissions on laws protecting the separation of church and state, food security, and
citizen participation, and teaching them skills to be advocates for the application of these and other
laws key to democracy and development in Nicaragua.
4) Theological Education by Extension, training pastors and lay leaders in a community-based
education model on topics ranging from tithing to the Reformation to gender equity.
Self-sustainable programs
CEPAD also has three program areas that are self-sustainable (non-budgeted):
 The CEPAD Radio Station which serves the Pacific side of Nicaragua with news, analysis,
Christian music and family programs. The format also provides air time for people to
communicate with one another on an individual basis (“This is Juan Gomez from Mateares. I’m
calling to let Maria know that I won’t be arriving in Estelí until Saturday, so not to worry.”);
 The Community Education Program, which provides normal primary and secondary education,
and also has weekend programs for working adults to get their high school equivalency
diploma; and
 The CEPAD Nehemiah Program, which hosts delegations and facilitates partnerships towards
the end of nurturing intercultural relationships, facilitating “breakthrough” education
experiences, encouraging gospel-based reflection and raising the profile of CEPAD’s ministries
in Nicaragua.
It is expected that the self-sustainable programs will provide some income for CEPAD’s operating
expenses in the future so that CEPAD may rely less on grants and donations.
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Peace Commissions
During the 1980s, CEPAD supported the formation of Peace Commissions among both Catholic
and Protestant community leaders, to work for reconciliation between different groups affected by
the Contra war. Today, the Peace Commissions work as human rights monitors and help resolve
hundreds of property conflicts, crimes and family disputes in two regions of Nicaragua.
Disaster relief
When natural disasters affect Nicaragua, CEPAD continues to act as a vital, internationallyrespected channel for humanitarian relief and aid to the disaster survivors.
CEPAD 2010:
Celebrating 38 years of service to God and the people of Nicaragua
CEPAD-NEHEMIAS
“Tell the righteous that it will go well for them, for they will eat the fruit of theirs deeds. ”
Isaiah 3:10.
Travel and Logistics
Time and Communications
Inquiries or emergency calls should be directed to the director of CEPAD’s Nehemiah Office, Ana
Taylor, telephone # 011-505-2270-5017, 011-505-2270-5018 or 011-505-8882-5840 during the
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daytime, or 011-505-8855-2304 during the nighttime. Our electronic mail address is
partners@cepad.org.ni and nehemias@cepad.org.ni .
Nicaragua is on Central Standard Time. During Daylight Savings Time, it is on Mountain Time.
Long distance calls are very expensive here. If you do need to call home it can be done using a
calling card from AT&T or Sprint.
Arrival at Augusto Sandino International Airport in Managua
A CEPAD representative will meet you at the airport. In case of a problem or emergency, you can
use a phone in the main lobby of the airport. You will need a few one-córdoba coins to make a
call, and can change a US bill (US$1.00-US$10.00) at an airport store by buying something small
to obtain these. The current rate of exchange is US$1.00 to about C$22
Phone numbers of CEPAD and the bi-lingual members of the coordinating team who have
telephones (add 011-505- if calling from the United States):
CEPAD Office (daytime) direct line to delegation office:
2270-5017, 2270-5018
Anita Taylor 8855-2304 (cell), Luis Vasquez 8950-2419; Yelba Rivera 8842-5551,
Doug
Orbaker 2244-2202, or 8740-5082, Harold Blandón: 8639-6488 and 8477-7903 (cell)
Street address: CEPAD, de la Rotonda El Periodista, 1 cuadra al sur, 2 c. arriba, contiguo a la
Universidad del Valle.
These are the usual procedures:
Each person should have a valid passport with at least six months left before it expires. Each
delegate should bring a copy of the first two pages of each passport in case a passport is lost. In
addition, the group leader should carry a photocopy of the first two pages of each delegate’s
passport.
On the airplane each person will receive an entry form to be completed. For the Nicaraguan
address put: CEPAD, del Cementerio General, 1-1/2 c. al Norte
At the immigration booth each person will need to present his or her passport, completed entry
form, and pay $7.00 (seven US dollars) for the tourist visa.
After collecting your luggage, stubs are presented to the customs agent who may want to look in
some of the bags. Usually they use a “red-light/green-light” random checking system. If you get
the “green”, you can go. If you get a red light, they will check your bags. If any baggage is
missing, report it to the airline representative in the baggage claim area who will fill out a report.
Get a copy of the report and keep your claim stubs.
¡Buen Viaje!
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Bienvenidos a Nicaragua...
1. DOCUMENTS: Please carry a copy of your passport with you at all times. Your original passport will be
deposited at the CEPAD Nehemiah Center for safekeeping.
2. WATER: Water in Managua is relatively safe to drink, but it is best to drink purified water. CEPAD Nehemiah
keeps purified water in the big water bottles in the dining and living areas. You can fill your bottles there. When you
leave the center, take your water bottle with you. Drink plenty of fluids during the day to prevent dehydration.
3. PLUMBING: In the city, please throw toilet paper in the wastebasket rather than the toilet bowl. Always carry
paper with you. In the community where you will be, you will most likely be using latrines. Sometimes families
have a box or trash bin for paper there as well, while in others you will throw paper into the latrine. For bathing in the
countryside, expect to take “dip and pour” baths using a bucket or barrel of water and a small bowl for dipping. Do
NOT put anything dirty or soapy into the water recipient. Same goes for the wash-board and water-cistern system:
you do not dirty the water.
4. SECURITY: Managua, like most large metropolitan cities, is NOT a safe place to walk around alone at night.
Please take precautions as in any other large city.
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Carry only necessary items.
Guard your pockets, wallets, cameras, jewelry, watches, etc.
Keep your hotel room locked at all times.
Keep money out of sight.
Be careful crossing the streets; in Nicaragua CARS always
have the right of way, NOT pedestrians.
5. PHOTOS: Generally pictures can be taken anywhere except military installations. It’s courteous to ask individuals
before taking their picture. They probably won’t mind. Same goes with tape recorders.
6. GIFTS: Do not hand out trinkets or money to children. If you give to one, you are likely to be mobbed by many
more. But more importantly, you will want to help the Nicaraguans in their efforts not to make beggars out of their
children, and people from the North to break away from the “Santa Claus” image prompted by gringo handouts.
When tempted, as a general rule, resist. Even when confronted by a new and sometimes overwhelming situation, it is
usually best to lead with your head rather than your heart.
7. DONATIONS:
If you should feel moved to make a contribution to a CEPAD program or of any other kind,
please speak with the CEPAD Nehemiah Program Director. Please do not leave items in the communities where you
are staying.
8. TIPS: If you wish to leave a tip, please remember that there are other staff people whom you seldom see who also
contributed to your program. Please give all tips to the office, and talk with them about how they should be divided.
9. MONEY: The Nicaraguan currency is the Córdoba. CEPAD coordinators will assist you in changing spending
money.
10. LAUNDRY: If you have clothes that need to be washed, please let us know. In the CEPAD Nehemiah Center we
can wash clothes for a small fee.
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11. ALCOHOL: The Nehemias Center is an educational center and as such is a non-smoking, non-alcohol facility.
Please help us to respect that. The people with whom we work in the communities are mostly members of
Evangelical churches who believe that drinking is a serious sin. Let’s not offend our friends.
12. TRANSPORTATION: Our staff will help if you need a taxi. It’s best to agree on charges before you get in. If
you have bills larger than 100 córdobas, ask if the driver has change.
13. HEALTH:
If you have health problems or are on medication, PLEASE LET THE DELEGATION
COORDINATORS KNOW. Most people visiting Nicaragua stay well and energized in spite of the heat, full
schedule, change of water, etc. But should you feel ill, please advise us. Plan to skip a meeting if you are too tired or
not feeling well.
Should you get diarrhea, take only pepto bismol at first, NOT IMMODIUM. Drink lots of fluids and rest, try to keep
eating, and see a staff person. Resting and staying hydrated are important measures in preventing and recovering
from any illness.
Do not go barefoot; wear shower sandals, and shake out your shoes and sleeping bags for scorpions. Scorpions sting
like a bee but their sting is not fatal. They like to hide in dark places.
14. ADDRESSES: Street addresses in Managua are described from a reference point in a particular neighborhood,
such as a restaurant or a statue, and then counting the number of blocks (cuadras) east (arriba), west (abajo), north ( al
lago), or south (al sur). For example, the address for CEPAD Nehemias is De la Rotonda El Periodista, 200 varas al
sur, 200 varas arriba, contiguo a la Universidad del Valle. “Varas” are roughly the length of a yard.
15. TELEPHONE: You can make local calls from our office and will be asked to leave a small contribution for this
service. For international calls, dial 1-800-0164 for AT&T or 161 for Sprint, and a bilingual operator will assist you.
You may also dial 116 for a Nicaraguan operator for long-distance calls. He or she will probably know some
English.
16. CULTURAL HINTS:
 In Latin America greetings are an important gesture of communication and they are very defined. You generally
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stand up, extend your hand for a handshake and say “mucho gusto” followed by giving your own name. Shake
hands again when you say good-bye.
In the city, commonly women are greeted with a kiss on the cheek. In the country, a mutual “arm-pat” might be
in order.
“Adios” is used as a greeting when passing a person on the street.
Nicaraguans dress more conservatively and it is important to respect that. Shorts are not appropriate at
interviews, when visiting projects or at church.
Hissing is a common way of getting someone’s attention.
People often point with their lips. They are not trying to kiss you.
Often times people ask a question or indicate confusion by wrinkling up their nose.
Joy and humor are universal. Few things build bridges more readily.
Don’t be bashful in using your recently learned Spanish with the Nicaraguans. They appreciate your efforts to
speak their language.
17. TRANSLATION: Please remember that it is the speaker who is presenting, not the translator. Make eye contact
with, and speak directly to the speaker when you speak, rather than talking to the translator ABOUT the speaker.
18. GROUP LIVING: Traveling with a group in Nicaragua can be a very effective and beneficial way to learn and
experience this country’s reality. But joining a group means giving up some individual privileges. It’s important that
we respect others’ feelings and opinions.
19. GROUP COORDINATION: Please make sure that there are members of the group assigned to specific rolls,
such as: watching over the health of others, handling group finances, leading reflections, etc.
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Profile of Nicaragua
Size:
129,494 km², slightly smaller than the state of New York; largest of the Central American Republics
Population:
5.5 million; over half of the population is under the age of 15
Ethnicity:
75% Mestizo, 10% Spanish/European descent, 9% Black Creole, 5% Native Indigenous (Miskito,
Mayagna, Rama)
Religion:
Approximately 75% Roman Catholic and 20% Protestant. There are more than 220 Protestant
denominations in Nicaragua.
Geography:
Three distinct regions: extensive tropical Atlantic coastal plains, central mountains, and narrow
Pacific coastal plain interrupted by lakes and volcanoes
Agricultural
Products:
coffee, bananas, sugarcane, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans;
beef veal, pork, poultry, dairy products
Export
Commodities:
coffee, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, beef, sugar, bananas; gold
Exports:
$630 million
Family
Remittances:
Approx. U$700 million; one of every four families receives remittances
from family members working in the U.S. or Costa Rica
Foreign debt:
$6.8 billion (about U$1,300 per Nicaraguan) Highest in Central America and highest per capita in
Latin America
Poverty:
74% live in poverty; 17% in extreme poverty
82% of the population lives on $1 a day
30% of children under five are malnourished
Average per
capita income:
$430 a year
Salaries:
--Agricultural workers average $35 per month
--Construction workers average $97 per month
--Teachers/Nurses earn about $50-60 per month
--Maquila workers earn a minimum of $60 per month
--Public health doctors earn a baseline salary about $150-$200
--Government Ministers earn between $2,000-$3,000 a month
--Deputies of the National Assembly earn $4,000-$5,000. This doesn’t include perks.
Canasta
Básica:
53 basic goods and services for a family of six for one month is $250.
This does not include health care or rent.
Unemployment:
20% plus considerable underemployment (around 40%)
Education:
--34% of Nicaraguans are illiterate; in the rural areas that figure is 46%
--Six of every 10 urban children go to school, one of every 10 rural children go to school
--77% of children do not finish the sixth grade
--12% of Nicaraguan youths attend university
Information from Grupo Propositivo de Cabildeo, the United Nations report on Nicaragua (2000), the World Fact Book,
Envio Magazine and Witness for Peace.
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Suggested reading
Books:
The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community.
Eric H.F. Law, Chalice Press, 1993. Price: $12.00.
Book review from Amazon.com: “A must read for anyone ministering in a multi-cultural context.
Law provides a rationale for tensions between differing cultural groups and techniques to provide a
means for greater understanding and communication between groups.”
The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War. Gioconda Belli, Anchor Press, 2003.
Price: $12.00. Book description: “(Belli’s) memoir is both a revelatory insider’s account of the
Revolution and a vivid, intensely felt story about coming of age under extraordinary circumstances.
Belli writes with both striking lyricism and candor about her personal and political lives: about her
family, her children, the men in her life; about her poetry; about the dichotomies between her birthright and the life she chose for herself; about the failures and triumphs of the Revolution; about her
current life, divided between California (with her American husband and their children) and
Nicaragua; and about her sustained and sustaining passion for her country and its people.”
Central America on a Shoestring. Lonely Planet Guides. Fourth edition, 2001.
Nicaragua. Thomas W. Walker, Westview Press, Fourth edition, 2003. Price: $25.00.
Book description: “This new and thoroughly revised edition of Nicaragua details the country's
unique history, culture, social reality, economics, foreign relations, and politics. Its historical
coverage considers Nicaragua from before independence as well as during the nationalist liberal
era, the US marine occupation, the Somoza dictatorship, the Sandinista regime, and the
conservative restoration following 1990. The Fourth Edition documents how the more enduring
reality of this Central American country may not be the Sandinista Revolution but the historical and
ongoing interventions by which the United States - the "eagle" to the north - continues to shape
Nicaraguan political, economic, and social life. The new edition also includes a fully updated
annotated bibliography.”
Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes. Robert McAfee Brown.
An excellent Bible study for use by an individual or a group.
Magazines and bulletins:
CEPAD Report. A bi-monthly report of the Council of Evangelical Churches of Nicaragua to share
information and analysis regarding the protestant church in Nicaragua, the ministry of CEPAD, and
the struggle of the Nicaraguan people for peace and justice. Contributions of a least U. S. $10 a
year welcomed.
Envío. A monthly analysis of current events in Nicaragua and other Central American countries.
$40.00 per year. Revista Envìo, Apartado A-194, Managua, Nicaragua, tel. (505) 278-2557, (505)
277-4888; email: envio@ns.uca.edu.ni.
Websites:
 CEPAD. www.cepad.org.ni
 Confidencial, monthly economic magazine: www.confidencial.com.ni
 Envio, monthly magazine with news and analysis, www.uca.edu.ni/revista/envio
 Latin America Working Group: www.lawg.org
 El Nuevo Diario, daily newspaper: www.elnuevodiario.com.ni
 La Prensa, daily newspaper: www.laprensa.com.ni
 CIA World Fact Page: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/nu.html
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 United Nations 2002 Development Report on Nicaragua:
http://www.undp.org/hdr2002/indicator/cty_f_NIC.html
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