Locations

Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua

Setting: Semi-urban
Nicaragua’s tropical setting and vibrant culture provide invaluable opportunities for Spanish speakers who are interested in catalyzing the as-yet untapped sustainable development opportunities in the region. Ciudad Sandino is a bustling municipality included within the city limits of Managua (although it is more than 13 kilometers from the city). Residents of Ciudad Sandino experience poor infrastructure, low socioeconomic status, and few opportunities to improve their situation. Nicaragua is an exciting location for participants who desire to implement innovative approaches, key practices, and pilot programs.

This site is managed in-country by Foundation for Sustainable Development. See additional information below courtesy of FSD.

Fast Facts:
Area: 129,494 sq. km. (roughly the size of Greece or New York state)
Population: around 5.9 million. 1 in 5 of live in and around Managua, the capital
Ethnic groups: mestizo 70%, white 17%, black 9%, indigenous 5%
Languages: Spanish 97.5%, Miskito 2%
Religion: Roman Catholic 58.5%,
Evangelical 21.6%, none 15.7%, other 4.2%
Literacy rate: 67.5%
GDP (per capita): $2,800 (2009)
Inflation: 4% per year
Poverty rate: 48% below poverty line (defined by the United Nations and World Bank as earning $1 US per day)
Exports: coffee, beef, shrimp, lobster, tobacco, cigars, sugar, gold, peanuts
Imports: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products

Ciudad Sandino:
With a population of 130,000 people, Ciudad Sandino is mostly urban with some rural areas; the city is located just 40 minutes from Managua (by bus). Designated an official city several years ago, Ciudad Sandino was previously part of greater Managua. It is divided into eleven urban zones and two rural areas. The center is Plaza Ciudad Sandino, an open field lined with bus stops, local businesses and a large high school. Over the past three years, the municipal government has taken big steps to developing the plaza, and the plaza now hosts several restaurants, as well as a small stadium. The city’s population density has increased dramatically over the years–particularly with tens of thousands of refugees arriving after the earthquake of 1972 and Hurricane Mitch of 1998. Many families still live in makeshift housing and lack access to safe water and latrines. Residents use a variety of transportation methods, including several bus routes, horse-drawn carriages, taxis and taxi-motorcycles (motitos). Internet cafes and small family stores (pulperias) are everywhere.

Learn more about Nicaragua:

BBC Nicaragua country profile

CIA World Factbook

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Setting: Urban
Bolivia is home to the Andes Mountains, Amazonian rainforests, Lake Titicaca, as well as striking cities and a high percentage of indigenous peoples. Despite its economic potential, Bolivia is the poorest country in South America due to corruption and the exploitation of resources by foreign investors. With 64 percent of the population below the poverty line, the people of Bolivia struggle to plan for the future, afford adequate health care, receive an education, and confront social and environmental issues. GESI students work in the city of Cochabamba, the third largest city in Bolivia in a valley nearly 9,000 feet above sea level. Its vibrant grassroots political community and strong indigenous culture make this site perfect for students interested in cementing their Spanish skills while working in multiethnic settings.

This site is managed in-country by Foundation for Sustainable Development. See additional information below courtesy of FSD.

Fast Facts:
Area: 1,098,580 sq km (slightly less than three times the size of Montana)
Population: 8,989,046 people
GDP: 27.21 billion
Poverty rate: 64%
Literacy rates: 87.21%
Administrative Divisions: 9 departments (Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, and Tarija)
Religion: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5%
Language: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official), Guarany (official)

Cochabamba:
Cochabamba is the third largest city in Bolivia and unites the country with its centric location. The city sits at 9,000 feet above sea level and has a diverse climate; the department of Cochabamba hosts the jungle region of el Chapare, the large mountain ranges of the Altiplano, and is the center of agricultural production. The city of Cochabamba is characterized by fountain and flora filled plazas, theaters, a tree-filled Prado, the Aurora/Wilsterman soccer stadium, a thriving night life, the largest Jesus Christ statue in South America (yes, larger than Rio de Janeiro), and the biggest open-air market in South America–La Cancha. The department of Cochabamba also boasts a semi-tropical region, the Chapare, where Evo Morales began his political career as a coca farmer and labor leader. In recent years, Cochabamba has been the site of several important social mobilizations, such as the Water Wars of 2001 that reversed the privatization of water in the city and political tensions that resulted in violence in January of 2007. These clashes were a product of the transition to democracy and the search for a common vision for the country that historically had not been inclusive of all Bolivians. While major obstacles still lay ahead for the Bolivian government–such as addressing narco-trafficking in the country, high rates of poverty, and the management of natural resources–no major social clashes have taken place since 2007 and the Bolivian people hope that a sustained period of peace lies ahead.

Learn more about Bolivia:

BBC Bolivia country profile

CIA World Factbook

Jinja, Uganda

Setting: Semi-urban
At the very source of the Nile River, Jinja, Uganda is recognized as one of the most beautiful places on earth. The region is a popular destination for travelers due to its stunning landscapes and exceptional river rafting. Jinja city is second only to the Ugandan capital of Kampala in terms of commercial flow, however citizens face challenges ranging from poverty to climate change. GESI participants will have the exciting opportunity to work alongside Ugandan-led NGOs focusing on a host of development issues.

This site is managed in-country by Foundation for Sustainable Development. See additional information below courtesy of FSD.

Fast Facts:
Area: 236,040 sq km (slightly smaller than the state of Oregon)
Population: 32,369,558
Government type: Republic
Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, paper, steel production
Population below poverty line: 35%
Literacy rate: 69.9% (age 15 and over can read and write)
Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18%

Jinja:
Jinja, a major tourist destination in Uganda, was established in 1907 and lies 87km northeast of Kampala. It is located on the shores of Lake Victoria near the source of the White River Nile. Jinja town, popular for its fishing, is the capital of Jinja District and is considered the capital of the Kingdom of Busoga. Jinja is close to several major tourist attractions including: the source of the Nile, Bujagali Falls, quad bike safaris, world class kayaking, Mt. Elgon, golf courses, and several other outdoor activities. Jinja is relatively small making most places accessible by foot or by bicycle.

Learn more about Uganda:

BBC Uganda country profile

CIA World Factbook

Udaipur, India

Setting: Urban
Near the southern border of India’s Northwest desert province of Rajasthan, Udaipur grows around the shores of Lake Pichola. Renowned for its incredible physical beauty, diversity, and spirituality, Rajasthan is one of the most unique places on earth. Despite significant growth in India’s national economy and its mounting presence on the world stage, an astounding 80 percent of India’s citizens live on less than two dollars per day. Udaipur is an ideal setting for GESI students to work with populations mired in poverty yet determined for a brighter future.

This site is managed in-country by Foundation for Sustainable Development. See additional information below courtesy of FSD.

Fast Facts:
Area: 3,287,590 sq. km.
Population: approximately 1.1 billion with an annual growth rate of 1.38%
GDP: $796.1 billion (per capita $705)
Poverty rates: 25% of the population lives below the poverty line
Life expectancy: 64.71 years
Literacy rates: Male: 70.2%; Female: 48.3%
Religion: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.9%
Language: Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9%

Udaipur, Rajasthan:
Rajasthan, known as “The Desert State,” is situated in the northeastern region of India, sharing a long international boundary with Pakistan. Rajasthan is considered the land of romance and chivalry, famous for its legendary Rajput rulers whose tales of valor, patriotism, and love have passed into folklore. Rajasthan is known for its traditional and colorful art and is a shopper’s paradise–textiles, handicrafts, and pottery are the state’s major export products. The Rajasthani’s love for joyous celebrations, music, dance, and festivals make it one of the most colorful deserts in the world. Celebrations and festivals occur all throughout the year and are a splendid opportunity for one to gain an insight into the life of the Rajasthani. Agriculture continues to remain the crucial sector in the economy of the state, followed by manufacturing. The second largest state in the country, Rajasthan has a total area of 342,214 sqare km and a population of about 44 million, accounting for about five percent of India’s total population. The official language of the state is Hindi, however, English is understood in most urban areas. Udaipur’s tranquil ambiance is set against a backdrop of ornate palaces, awe-inspiring temples, and the glistening shores of Lake Pichola. Rickshaws, camels, and cows line the windy streets of the old town, while peaceful cafes and restaurants brim full with people near the famed Lake Palace Hotel.

Today, Udaipur is a large, thriving metropolis, home to a population of around 400,000 people. Udaipur sits at the southern edge of Rajasthan state, and the rural areas surrounding Udaipur city are divided into five main blocks–Jhadol, Girwa, Bagaon, Kherwara, and Kotra. Each block is then divided by the state into separate revenue villages, which are collections of villages of different population sizes and tribal identities. Although English and Hindi are widely spoken in Udaipur city, surrounding rural areas are often populated by tribal peoples that speak their own distinct native tongue. Despite Udaipur’s picturesque surroundings, drought has ravaged the local economy and has forced many former subsistence farmers to migrate to nearby commercial hubs in order to find work wage-labors. Low literacy rates, poor sanitation, environmental degradation and inadequate transportation infrastructure add to the frustration and poor living conditions of the local community.

Learn more about India:

BBC India country profile

CIA World Factbook

Manyeleti, South Africa:

Setting: Rural
From the lingering economic and social repercussions of apartheid to the beautiful wildlife, South Africa is a complex yet fascinating site for students to participate in the nuances of rural life. The Manyeleti community extends for miles across the southeastern border of the Mpumalanga Province with nearly 800,000 residents. Directly next to the community is the world famous Kruger National Park and several luxury private game lodges of the Sabi Sand. The Manyeleti community has been identified by the South African government as having one of the largest concentrations of poverty in the country; most people live without running water, sufficient electricity, sanitary bathroom facilities, and access to even minimal healthcare.

The South Africa program differs from other GESI sites because it has a distinct thematic focus on social entrepreneurship and is our most rural location. Students collaborate with locals to understand their strengths and assets, and then together they will discover and develop opportunities for new social businesses.

The GESI South Africa site is run in-country by ThinkImpact. See information below about the Manyeleti community courtesy of ThinkImpact.

Fast Facts about South Africa:
from CIA World Factbook
Area: 1,219,090 sq km
Population: 49,004,031
Government: Republic
Population below poverty line: 50%
Religions: Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1%

Manyeleti Community:
In the Manyeleti region of Mpumalanga, South Africa, there are between one and four funerals every week in each village of 5,000 people. Many of these deaths are the result of the AIDS pervasive presence, inadequate food supply, and limited employment opportunities. Due to decades of neglect and racism, people die needlessly, which is the long term impact of poor HIV education and limited access to treatment for HIV-positive victims.

In addition, most people live without running water, sufficient electricity, sanitary bathroom facilities, and access to even minimal healthcare. Spending on healthcare in this region falls nearly thirty percent below the national average. For Uta, Makrepeni, and Dixie villages the nearest health clinic is Gottenburg Health Clinic, a 30-40 km walk for the people. In this region, the rates of infant mortality and deaths from HIV/AIDS are shocking. The high rate of malnutrition among people of all ages is directly related to the high rate of unemployment, which is estimated at nearly seventy percent.

Music and dance play an important role in Manyeleti culture; they bring people together in both moments of joy and of sorrow. Every Sunday, people gather at different churches for worship, singing and dancing for a few borrowed hours, before returning to the very real challenges that they face on a day-to-day basis. Dancing is an important shared past-time in Manyeleti because it is a venue for self-expression in a community where creativity is often unexplored because of the lack of resources. Because all that is needed in order to dance are one’s own two feet, dancing is an important outlet for creative expression in impoverished regions. Many dances have their origins in the various tribal heritages in the community, and the tribal culture is still very important to the people of Manyeleti.

Family is at the center of life; the loyalty, respect and tradition of families is striking, especially because young people are deeply connected to their families. This connection–to both immediate and extended family–is the number one priority for people living in this area. Watching fourteen-year-old boys walking their little sisters to school or little girls with their baby sisters swaddled around their back, it is clear that families are an important part of the culture in this community.

Many times young people wake up hours before school to help their mother and grandmother collect water or travel to the market for food. When school is finished they come home to help their younger siblings or to continue with chores around the house. This is all done out of respect and loyalty for their family, and never thought of as a burden. Young people are expected to take on “adult responsibilities” and grow into adulthood at a much earlier age. Families in Manyeleti feel that caring and nurturing for their children is very important. In addition, elders in the community instill a sense of community and trust throughout the entire village.

Learn more about South Africa:

BBC South Africa country profile
 
CIA World Factbook