Organization
Sister Communities of San Ram贸n, Nicaragua (SCSRN) was founded in Durham, North Carolina in 1993. It is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the state of North Carolina and certified as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Nicaragua. Originally formed by a group of returned Peace Corps Volunteers SCSRN has grown to include three Sister Chapters in Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Morehead City-Beaufort. SCSRN strives to reduce paternalism and empower local citizens to make a difference in their communities while fostering relationships between all involved communities.
Mission Statement
Through collaboration between San Ram贸n, Nicaragua and its partner communities in the United States, SCSRN promotes people-to-people connections and supports social and economic development projects that build friendship, understanding, justice and respect for the Earth.
Relationship to Finca Esperanza Verde (FEV)
SCSRN is the developer and owner of Finca Esperanza Verde Ecolodge, Organic Coffee Farm and Private Forest Reserve.
FEV has received international recognition as a model of poverty alleviation through sustainable tourism. This economic development project provides jobs and much-needed income to the people of San Ram贸n. FEV also offers tourists a cultural immersion experience, connections with the people of San Ram贸n, and an opportunity to support the community through an economic model that is self-sustaining and reduces paternalism.聽 All income from tourism stays in the community.
FEV is self-sustaining through revenue from tourism and coffee sales. Revenue and expenses are kept separate from other SCSRN projects. Donations to SCSRN are not used to support FEV, except for designated contributions toward purchase of land for conservation.
