Vocational training

Improving employment opportunities

The Christian Vocational Centre, on the island of Ometepe, has existed for some 30 years and provides local people with vocational training. There are classes in sewing, typing, English and computer skills.

SIFT has a commitment to improving the facilities of the Centre. We have built a large accommodation block, which can sleep up to 48 people and have also installed a fresh water system, providing the accommodation block and other areas of the site with running water.

In 2006 the Martin Luther University opened a satellite campus at the CVC, making it the first university on the island. Before this, students had to travel to the mainland to attend university, which pushed this level of education beyond the reach of most. Now students from all over the island attend lectures at the CVC every Saturday morning.

Slide 1: Christian Vocational Centre (CVC)

The CVC was designed and built over the last 30 years, pioneered by a local lady, Julita Aleman. SIFT uses the CVC as a base of operations when we go to the island of Ometepe.

Slide 2: Accommodation block

SIFT built this accommodation block in 2003, providing the CVC with facilites to sleep up to 48 people. The accommodation block also has toilet and shower facilites.

Slide 3: Dining room

During our March 2007 expedition, a group of UK volunteers helped in the construction of this new dining room and kitchen. The dining room improves the facilities of the CVC and is also being used by the university as a lecture hall.

Slide 4: Sewing courses

The CVC's sewing courses give students practical skills which can be used to start their own business. SIFT has supplied the CVC with a number of hand sewing machines and materials to equip the course.

Slide 5: Typing & computer training

There are daily typing and computer courses running at the CVC. These courses help local people become equipped with skills to improve their employment opportunities in the local area.

Slide 6: Computer courses

SIFT has taken a number of second-hand computers out from the UK to the CVC. The computer course has proved very popular and it is likely that a second computer room may open to give more people the chance to learn computer skills.

Slide 7: Other courses

A number of students learn English at the CVC. English is becoming more and more vital to learn as tourism in the area takes off and many Americans want to holiday in Nicaragua. SIFT's nurses training course is also based at the CVC.

Slide 8: University courses

Every Saturday, around 300 students descend on the CVC for university courses run by the Martin Luther University. A new building with four additional classrooms has been built to help cater for this exciting new work.