Project YAHOSKA

Laughter, hugs, and games welcomed us to Yahoska! Still in school uniforms, 28 previously homeless and battered girls age 4 to 14, gather in front of the central concrete building which displays beautifully painted nature scenes. This is the communal spare and the girls eagerly report the day’s events to their friendly caregivers. The excitement at visitors was enormous and I was immediately captured, taken to a concrete path and was challenged to a marble match, played with rocks from the driveway. The older kids’ dexterity was amazing, but laughingly they included the eager 4 and 5 year olds, giving hints and help. Then they proudly showed us their sleeping quarters, laundry and washing facilities, and a spare and spotless cabin where creative projects take place: drawing, painting, and sewing bags for sale. A need for computers was expressed and we were eager to respond. In March 2005 a group of volunteers from Sarah Lawrence College took the first laptops to Yahoska! One of our board members, Beverly Habada, is funding a teacher for a year to teach the girls computer skills! In a country with 60% unemployment, these girls will have a chance to find meaningful work!

History of Projecto Yahoska In 1991 a vacationing Italian woman, Zelinda Roccia, observed many homeless children. She moved to Managua and and founded Los Quinchos, feeding and housing by now over 250 previously homeless boys. In 1999 Yahoska was started for homeless and abused girls living in abject poverty. Now there are 28 girls in a separate crowded compound.