SAT/4H members visit cotton farm in northwestern Texas.

Fabretto SAT students and teachers, who are also 4H members, are currently traveling through the United States as part of an exchange program. This is the second time Fabretto rural students visit the U.S., thanks to a partnership with Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and the U.S. Department of State’s SportsUnited division. The two-week trip includes stops at various sites to learn about sustainable agriculture techniques being implemented across the United States. Last week, the group visited the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma; Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and the National 4-H Council in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

“Partnerships with American organizations are important not only to feed the undeserved youth in Nicaragua, but also to teach them how to grow food and improve farm practices.” – Kevin Marinacci, Fabretto CEO.

Fabretto SAT Students visit Nicaraguan Embassy in Washington, DC.

During the second portion of the trip, the students and teachers had the opportunity to tour various sites in the Washington, DC area, including the Nicaraguan Embassy. Georgetown Prep School in North Bethesda, MD, hosted the entire group for two days. Gracious hosts Syl and Vicki also organized a BBQ for them in New Market, MD. A big thank you to our wonderful hosts!

Students at the Cal Ripken Baseball Camp in Aberdeen, MD.

This week, the Fabretto delegation will participate in the Cal Ripken Baseball Camp in Aberdeen, MD, part of an exciting exchange program to teach life lessons and wellness through sports. Towards the end of their stay in Maryland, the group will also enjoy attending a Baltimore Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards. Exchange programs like this one will broaden the horizon for rural students to help them become leaders in their own communities.

We’re proud to see our students becoming leaders and productive citizens through 4-H. If you would like to support our 4-H programs, you can make a donation today.

More about 4-H Clubs in Nicaragua

Fabretto’s history with 4-H traces back to before the war in the 1980’s when Padre Fabretto began to offer 4-H (4-S in Spanish) programs for Nicaraguan youth. Over the past several years, we have returned to these roots and re-launched 4-H in the communities that we serve in partnership with key international and regional organizations, including 4-H Costa Rica and National 4-H Council (U.S.).

The goal of Fabretto’s 4-H clubs is to help children and youth in vulnerable communities strengthen their knowledge and skills, develop positive attitudes and leadership, and become prosperous citizens who improve their livelihoods and lift up their communities. The program is run by trained volunteers from the community, many of whom are Fabretto teachers or parents. Fabretto has organized 4-H clubs in rural communities at and around our Education Centers in San José de Cusmapa, Las Sabanas, San Isidro, and Somoto. Some of the clubs are integrated into our Rural Secondary Education program (SAT).