Press Release – In Portugal and Italy, the Dianova network member organizations have launched a campaign to collect in-kind donations destined to the 400 students hosted every year by the Center for Integral Education Esther Del Rio-Las Marías, in Nicaragua. The Dianova member organizations’ tireless efforts have borne fruit, with supplies worth 53,000 Euros. A sea container was shipped on October 3 and will arrive to destination on November 2012

Official partner of UNESCO and in consultative status the Economic and social Council of the United Nations, Dianova International consists of independent and interdependent organizations operating in 11 countries in Europe, North America and South America. The network is dedicated to developing innovative programs and projects in the fields of addiction treatment and prevention, education, youth and social and community development.

Dianova in Portugal and in Italy have implemented a solidarity initiative by organizing a campaign to collect in-kind donations to support the Center for the Center for Integral Education “Esther del Rio-Las Marias”, in Nicaragua. A sea container will soon depart from the Italian port of Genoa, loaded with educational materials, basic commodities, hygiene products, clothing and footwear, for a total estimated value of 53,000 Euros.

For many years the Center for Integral Education “Esther del Rio-Las Marias” has been committed to improving education and other social conditions of the children living in the country’s rural areas, particularly affected by extreme poverty and endemic violence.  Accredited by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education and affiliated to the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet), Esther del Rio educational center provides free educational services to the most disadvantaged. In addition, the center’s boarding students have a complete support, in terms of housing, food, educational materials, healthcare services and psychological follow-up.