![Project WOO Project WOO Logo]()
![Campaign Goals]()
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We are surfers, travelers, and the community of Playa Gigante, Nicaragua, who have banded together to build a much needed Community Health Center!
All Donations Over $250 Will Be Matched by an Anonymous Donor!!
For developing world countries globally, tourism is the second largest industry behind oil & gas. An incredible catalyst for economic development, the impact of that growth is shaped by all of us who travel.
Where does surfing fit in? Surfers are explorers by nature. Where surfers venture, backpackers soon flock and give way to mainstream tourism development. Think Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Tamarindo, Costa Rica; or Kuta Beach, Bali. These places were 'discovered' by surfers.
We are Project Wave of Optimism (Project WOO), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization improving the impact surf tourism has on developing world communities. We are surfers and travelers who cherish the experiences we have with the people and communities we visit. We have seen tourism development dramatically change local communities - for better (jobs, insfrastructure, cultural exchange) and worse (cultural erosion, drugs, prostitution, environmental degradation, over-development). We want our impact as tourists to be a force for positive development and to change how people travel around the world!
Want to get a really good idea of why what we do is important?
The Project - The Gigante Community Health Center
Our latest project is in Playa Gigante, Nicaragua - a sleepy fishing village on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. Although the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, Nicaragua is blessed with a beautiful coastline. As one of the few remaining publicly accessible beaches in the municipality of Tola, Gigante is surrounded by hundreds of millions of dollars in development projects. A decade ago there was scarcely a gringo to be seen in Gigante. Today there are a dozen gringo owned businesses and the town is teeming with construction.
The Gigante Community Health Center will provide health care services and, more importantly, be a platform to deliver preventative health education. Health is a keystone to a sustainable community and the center will serve as a community center for countless future initiatives.
The Nicaraguan Ministry of Health currently conducts twice-monthly health consultations in a one room church without running water, zero privacy, and generally inadequate conditions to deliver health services. Further, the vast majority of heath issues in rural Nicaragua can be overcome with basic education.
- Center will serve a rapidly growing population of over 1,000 regional residents.
- Healthcare will be delivered in partnership with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health.
- Health Education Programs will focus on hygiene (hand washing, clean water projects), cooking techniques, and pre-natal care.
- The center will be built using natural building techniques, integrating an environmental health component that promotes healthier indoor air quality and working environment; encouraging the use of materials that are renewable, local and low in embodied energy; and, reducing waste, pollution, and environmental degradation.
The Gigante Community Health Center was identified by the people of Gigante as their community's greatest need through
Project WOO's Sustainable Community Development Model. Fundamental to all of our community-driven development projects, a committee of local community members has designed and directed the project since the beginning.
![Gigante Kids Primary School children in Gigante, Nicaragua]()
What We Need
We have already secured land for the center, and the community, along with the local municipal government, has leveled the site with picks, shovels, and machinery in preparation for construction.
An anonymous donor has committed to matching all individual donations over $1000 up to a total of $25,000!!
We have been hard at work fundraising for this project, and have over $40,000 already raised! The funds raised thus far, combined with a matching donor potential up to $25,000, align the campaign's fundraising goal with the project budget. Construction will cost $65,000, $15,000 for one year of operations, and $10,000 for medical equipment/supplies add up to a total project budget of $90,000.
For complete details on the project, including architectural drawings and budgets, click to see the "Gigante Community Health Center Proposal".
The Gigante Community Health Center
Project Sustainability
At Project WOO, we have a track record of designing and implementing sustainable projects. Our Gigante Bus Project, operating since 2008, is an example - monthly operating expenses are 100% supported by the project's monthly bus revenues. Additionally, our process of community organization builds rooted community buy-in - essential for project sustainability. We have already received pledges from multiple major tourism operators in the area to financially support the ongoing operations of the health center. Further, the municipal government and the ministry of health are ardent supporters of the project.
![Gigante Bus Project kids and volunteers with the Gigante Bus Project]()
More About Project WOO
When Project WOO's founders stumbled onto Playa Gigante, Nicaragua, they were just a couple of Peace Corps volunteers taking a short vacation looking to score uncrowded surf. What they saw in Playa Gigante was a community on the cusp of international fame as a tropical paradise with world class waves. Project WOO was born to mobilize the local community to think about their future and leverage the resources of tourism to build healthy, sustainable communities.
Through cooperation with the local community and the support of countless travelers and supporters, Project WOO has implemented numerous sustainable community projects, including:
- Gigante Bus Project - increased High School participation by 81%
- Surfboard Mentorship Program for local youth development
- Primary School Program - English, arts, music, and gardening classes
- Women's Wellness Program
- Community Waste Management and Recycling Program
You can find more details about these projects on our website.
Other Ways You Can Help!
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Come Volunteer in Nicaragua! Be the boots that make the change. We have a stellar Volunteer Program and would love to have you! We work with groups and individuals.
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Tread Lightly! Think about your impact as a traveler. Look for ways to make a positive impact on the local community and support sustainable tourism on the next trip you take!
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Build the Coalition! Help us go viral! Share this campaign using Indiegogo's sharing tools to spread the word on Facebook, email, Twitter, etc!
Project WOO Partners
![Reef Reef]()
![Fabretto Children's Foundation]()
![SDSU Center for Surf Research]()
![Sweetwater Fund]()
![Firewire Surfboards]()
![Giant's Foot Surf]()
![Papaya Wellness]()
![Comunidad Connect]()
Special thanks to our video crew:
Brad Beamis
Brent Goshen
Chris Sowick
Eric Williamson
Joan Zierler
Kyle Thiermann
Micki Peel
Optimus
Pellinore Productions
Rob Kalmbach
Roger Poirier
Ron Geiger
Samantha Hermann
Scott Kinsey
Tom Camarda
Perks
![$15]()
Project Progress Video Subscription
Project WOO will send you a monthly video of the project's progress, from construction to a fully operating health center!
![$20]()
Ticket to Launch Party in SF
Kevin Miso will be releasing a new single at this not to miss event at Amnesia in San Francisco on Saturday, June 1st. Doors open at 7:30pm and we will be rockin' all night long...
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Personal Photo Facebook Shout Out
A personal Facebook photo thank you posted on WOO's website from a local Nicaraguan kid stoked on your support for her community's health center! Includes a subscription to the monthly project update videos too!
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Party Package
This package includes:
- A ticket to the SF Launch Party
- Subscription to monthly project progress videos
- A personal photo Facebook shout out!
![$75]()
Surf Lesson for a Nica Grom
A Project WOO volunteer will take a local grom for a surf lesson in your honor. Not only will you be stoking him out with waves, but you will be stoking out his health, too! Project WOO will post on Facebook a video of the community surf day, highlighting your donated lesson!
You will also get:
- A ticket to the SF Launch Party (we'll confirm your attendance)
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Your Name on the Wall Plaque - Bronze Level
Upon completion of construction, we will be mounting a plaque on the wall commemorating all who supported the project. For $250, you will be noted as a 'Bronze' tier donor.
You will also get:
- A ticket to the SF Launch Party (we'll confirm your attendance)
- A personal thank you photo posted on Facebook from a student at the local school
![$500]()
Upon completion of construction, we will be mounting a plaque on the wall commemorating all who supported the project. For $500, you will be noted as a 'Silver' tier donor.
You will also get:
- A ticket to the SF Launch Party (we'll confirm your attendance)
- A personal thank you photo posted on Facebook from a student at the local school
![$1000]()
AN ANONYMOUS DONOR IS MATCHING ALL DONATIONS OVER $1000! Upon completion of construction, we will be mounting a plaque on the wall commemorating all who supported the project. For $1000+, you will be noted as a 'Gold' tier donor.
You will also get:
- A ticket to the SF Launch Party (we'll confirm your attendance)
- A personal thank you photo posted on Facebook from a student at the local school
![$4000]()
WOO Edition Yoga Retreat
All inclusive, Special WOO Edition 7 day yoga retreat for 2 on the coast of Nicaragua. Papaya Wellness all inclusive retreats are the best way to immerse yourself in to mindful, recharging yoga and to refresh and challenge yourself in the epic Nicaraguan surf. They have done all the work down here in sunny Latin America to ensure that you will have nothing to worry about except having the most relaxing, healthy, fun and inspiring vacation!
They offer all inclusive retreats to accommodate your needs for relaxation, rejuvenation and enjoyment, including airport transport, healthy detoxing meals, and a variety of yoga classes and surf sessions to keep you motivated and fulfilled. Papaya Wellness takes care of you for 7 days, all inclusive, with no worries. Package also includes a dinner party with the Project WOO Team!
Retreats are located in either Playa Gigante, a quaint fishing village nestled in the jungle on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua or at Magnific Rock, a three story, 180 degree ocean view hotel on the cliffside of the beach near Playa Santana, Nicaragua. For more information, contact Carly at carly@papayawellness.com.
This package also includes
- A ticket to the SF Launch Party
- A personal photo thank you posted on Facebook
- A 'Gold' tier donor status on the commemorative plaque
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Special WOO Edition GFS Surf Trip!
7 day all inclusive surf trip with Giant's Foot Surf in Playa Gigante. Trip includes transportation from the Managua airport, lodging, food, drinks, boat trips, board rentals from the WOO quiver, surf yoga sessions, a guided hike to the 'Giant's Foot', and a dinner party with the Project WOO team!
This package also includes
- A ticket to the SF Launch Party
- A personal photo thank you posted on Facebook
- A 'Gold' tier donor status on the commemorative plaque