founders
What We Do
Fundación A. Jean Brugger is a nonprofit foundation devoted to assisting Nicaragua by providing critical educational opportunities and vocational training for the residents of San Juan del Sur and surrounding communities. The Foundation's primary goal is to educate and empower individuals to build a base of knowledge and awareness of crucial social, cultural, and environmental issues.
To fulfill our mission, Fundación A. Jean Brugger furthers education and supports the youth of San Juan del Sur through a School Uniform Program, a Student Sponsorship Program, for a fraction of what a college education costs in other countries, and a Teacher Sponsorship Program, as well as an animal sanctuary. While the main goals remain the same – promoting and providing vital educational resources in San Juan del Sur – many facets have been added over the years. Today, along with our existing programs, we are proud to have an Ancianos’ (senior citizens’) Program and a thriving community art gallery called Galería del Sur.
ProgramsSchool Uniform Program – Until 2008, wearing a uniform was required in Nicaragua in order to attend school. Now, even though the requirement has been lifted, many families are embarrassed to send their children to school without the proper attire, or simply cannot afford basic needs such as shoes. Fundación A. Jean Brugger, partnering with Mujeres Bahía, a local women’s’ coop, has uniforms made and then donates them to needy families, so that children may receive the education they deserve. The uniforms are donated as part of a school packet, which included backpacks, supplies and shoes. A school packet costs approximately U$40.
Student Sponsorship – there are many deserving students who have worked hard all the way through high school, only to find that higher education is impossible due to lack of finances. The Foundation works to match sponsors (local and international) with these students in order to pay their tuition, books and transportation costs, usually together with the student’s family.
Teacher Sponsorship – In Nicaraguan schools, there are often subjects that are cut from a school’s curriculum because of lack of funds. These include, but are not limited to, computers, sports, and English. For this reason, Fundación A. Jean Brugger has begun the Teacher Sponsorship Program, in which we help to pay the salary of a teacher in order to provide these lessons to schools. Currently we sponsor three teachers who give weekend classes, and we hope that this number will increase.
Ancianos Program - Each month Fundación A. Jean Brugger, with the scholarship students, brings together the Ancianos (senior citizens) of San Juan del Sur for a very special outing and luncheon. Sponsored by La Cascada Bar and Restaurant here at Pelican Eyes Hotel and Resort, the Ancianos enjoy games, music, dancing, tasty food, and the opportunity to spend time with others in the community.
Uniform Shop – The community of San Juan del Sur includes more than sixty urban and rural primary schools. Due to the constant growth of the student population, Fundación A. Jean Brugger has been searching for ways to improve and provide more school packets for local children. At present, Fundación A. Jean Brugger partners with Mujeres Bahía, a local women’s co-operative, where the uniforms are sewn for a fee. However, Mujeres Bahía is not able to supply sufficient uniforms to meet the considerable demand. As a result, the Fundación A. Jean Brugger Uniform Shop Initiative was formed.
Galería del Sur – Galería del Sur is a joint project between Tom and Janet Quinn and Fundación A. Jean Brugger. The Galería’s main purpose is that of promoting national and international artists by hosting art exhibits. Galería del Sur also offers Arts and Crafts workshops five days a week, which are open to the public.
Baseball Camps – Fundación A. Jean Brugger believes every child deserves the right to learn and to play baseball, and so does the Christopher Shatagin Sports Foundation. These two foundations team up every year to present baseball camps to youngsters in San Juan del Sur.
Municipal Recycling Initiative – The Municipal Recycling Program is a collaborative initiative with participation by the municipal government, Pelican Eyes Hotel & Resort, and the NGOs Comunidad Connect and DED. This initiative includes several phases, including separation of plastic at the municipal garbage dump, public outreach and education, organic waste management, and a municipal botanical nursery, as well as local recycling receptacles in the town of San Juan del Sur.