Círculo de Amigas Foundation
Who We Are
A volunteer powered foundation supporting girls' education in Jinotega, Nicaragua.
Our mission
Círculo de Amigas Foundation empowers girls and young women in Nicaragua to break the cycle of poverty through education, mentorship, and opportunities that build confidence, independence, and long-term success.
Through our sponsorship program, students are paired with sponsors in the United States and receive monthly educational scholarships, access to learning resources through our center in Jinotega, and the support they need to complete secondary school and pursue higher education. Together with our donors, volunteers, and partners, we help create brighter futures and lasting change.
Our story
Our History
Patricia McCully taught Spanish in California for 20 years. In 1983 she visited Nicaragua for the first time and saw, with her own eyes, the effects of civil war.
She began by teaching sewing on donated machines. In 1993 she bought a house in Jinotega and turned its parlor into a sewing classroom, then shifted her focus to scholarships that carry girls all the way through university.
Over the years the work grew to include the only lending library and free computer lab in northern Nicaragua.
The Círculo de Amigas Foundation was established in 2016 to continue the work of Pat McCully and to promote the empowerment of women and girls in Nicaragua through education, access to healthcare, and personal growth.
Founder Patricia McCully tells the story in her memoir, Why Nicaragua? Memories of Courage, Danger and Determination. Pat's memoir is available on Amazon.
Patricia McCully first visits Nicaragua
A house in Jinotega becomes a classroom
The Foundation is established
Where is Jinotega?
Nestled between Honduras and Costa Rica, Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, with a population of about 7 million.
Nicaragua remains the poorest country in Central America and, after Haiti, the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere. The need for education and opportunity, especially for girls, is profound.
Jinotega sits in the highlands about three hours northeast of the capital, Managua. The region produces roughly 80 percent of all the coffee grown in Nicaragua. The city of about 51,000 has a central square, a marketplace, and the rhythms of urban life despite its remote setting.
What we do
Our Programs
The Círculo de Amigas Foundation supports girls' education through a number of programs created for students in primary and secondary school, and ultimately through university graduation. What makes our program so unique is the individualized and holistic support every student receives.
Educational Scholarships
Students in our sponsorship program receive a monthly scholarship that supports both their educational expenses and their family income, so they are not forced to leave school because of economic hardship or the need to work. We support around 40 to 80 students each academic year.
Personalized Tutoring
Círculo de Amigas Foundation keeps a full time tutor who specializes in math and science. Our students come in for two to five small group sessions per week, depending on need. If a student is struggling, there is no limit to the time we will dedicate to make sure she sticks with an improvement plan and passes all of her classes.
Life Skills Workshops
We host regular workshops for our sponsored students and their families on topics ranging from teen pregnancy, women's health, and nutrition, to confidence, parental communication, and the prevention of domestic violence.
College Counseling
Our goal is for every student who receives financial aid through Círculo de Amigas Foundation to study at a university. Our full time staff works closely with each girl to discuss options for both schools and fields of study. Each student builds a college application and attendance plan, and we work closely with sponsors to support the academic dreams of our students.
Lending Library & Computer Lab
We operate the only local lending library and free computer lab open to the public in Jinotega. Every student, whether or not she receives financial support from Círculo de Amigas Foundation, can stop by our center, access email, do research, and spend an hour or so reading.
Cooperation with Local Agencies
An important part of our work is the relationships we maintain with local agencies. These groups are essential to keeping a vibrant program at the center.
- Universidad Martín Lutero de Jinotega
- Ministry of Health
- National Police
- The Mayor's Office
- Ministry of Education
Our Impact
Each one received a scholarship, tutoring, and mentorship that kept her in school, and many have gone on to university and careers of their own.
Our Team
Círculo de Amigas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by volunteer board members. Our Jinotega center is run day to day by a dedicated team of local Nicaraguans who have served the community for many years.
Our local partner
Rooted in Nicaragua, run by Nicaraguans
We work hand in hand with ALDEMA, a registered Nicaraguan nonprofit that runs the program on the ground in Jinotega.
ALDEMA, the Asociación de Liderazgo y Desarrollo en Madriz, is our partner organization inside Nicaragua. They manage the local team, oversee the scholarships and the center day to day, and account for every gift under Nicaraguan law. Working through a registered local partner keeps the program accountable, transparent, and led by the people closest to the girls we serve.
Local partner
Asociación de Liderazgo y Desarrollo en Madriz
A registered Nicaraguan nonprofit based in Somoto, Madriz, and our in-country partner for the Jinotega program.
Stand with the girls of Jinotega
Your sponsorship gives a girl the scholarship, tutoring, and mentorship to finish school and reach university.