El Cedro, Nicaragua
Ground Break, October 2025
Completion, December 2025
We’re excited to announce that our school in El Cadro, Nicaragua has finished it’s build and will provide vital education to 74 newly enrolled students!
El Cedro’s primary school, Juan Pablo Primary, was originally constructed using wood for both its walls and roofing. While these materials were the most affordable option for the community at the time, they were never meant for long-term use. Years of exposure to the elements have taken their toll: the roof now shows significant signs of corrosion, and poor ventilation makes the classrooms hot and uncomfortable. During the rainy season, leaks make it difficult for students to focus and for lessons to continue uninterrupted.
The new school will provide a safe, spacious structure for the students to learn in, where they will be protected from the rain and cold.
About EL CEDRO, NICARAGUA
Nicaragua is a country rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty, known for its vibrant traditions, colorful festivals, and diverse landscapes. However, it faces significant challenges in education and poverty. As of 2015, the literacy rate in Nicaragua was approximately 82.61%, indicating that nearly 17.39% of the population aged 15 and above remains illiterate. Poverty is also a pressing issue, with about 13.3% of the population living below the international poverty line of $3.65 per day as of 2022.
These challenges are even more pronounced in remote rural communities, such as El Cedro, where buildOn is actively working. In these areas, illiteracy rates are higher, and educational attainment is lower, especially among marginalised groups. Many residents in El Cedro are subsistence farmers who cultivate crops like beans, coffee, and corn, and raise livestock. Limited access to quality education perpetuates the cycle of poverty, making initiatives like buildOn's crucial for empowering these communities and fostering sustainable development.
THE GROUND-BREAK CEREMONY
At the groundbreaking ceremony, the story of Oli was shared with the community to honour his memory - you can watch the video below.
MEET Daneisy María
Daneisy María (pictured above) is an 11-year-old student at her community’s primary school in El Cedro. Currently in the fifth grade, she has learned to adapt to the difficult conditions of the old school building, even though it has not always been easy. The classrooms are small and worn, and at times, it can be hard to concentrate. Still, Daneisy remains optimistic about the future and dreams of seeing her school transformed into a better place for learning.
Inspired by her own experiences, Daneisy hopes to become an architect when she grows up so she can help improve her community by building strong and safe infrastructure. “I want to build schools and other buildings that make people’s lives better,” she says with determination. In her free time, Daneisy loves playing soccer with her friends, a pastime that helps her stay positive and hopeful as she continues pursuing her dreams.
the build gallery
