YOuth Development News
We believe that investing in and empowering young people is the most impactful way to facilitate long-lasting transformation in Nicaragua.
Updated October 2026
Stories of TRANSFORMATION
Juan Chavarría
Amigos Baseball Academy
At 18 years old, Juan Chavarría is seeing years of hard work at the Baseball Academy open new doors for his future. He joined the Baseball Academy when he was little; since then, he has not only grown as a baseball player, he has learned the value of discipline, education, and perseverance.
Today, Juan is part of the Academy’s scholarship program and is in his second year of university. His dedication on the field led him to become a pitcher for the Tigres in the Pomares League, Nicaragua's top semi-professional baseball league. As a first-division player, he also receives a modest income that helps support him and his family while contributing to his growth as an athlete and young professional.
Despite reaching a high level in baseball, Juan continues studying, remains connected to the Baseball Academy, and develops his leadership through Leaders in Action. His journey shows that the Baseball Academy is not just preparing athletes, it is helping young people build a future both on and off the field.
María Guadalupe
Amigos Academy
María Guadalupe is in sixth grade but has only attended the Amigos Academy the past three years. Many students might struggle to adapt to this new environment with its advanced curriculum, but since her very first day María has arrived at the Academy ready to learn. Her perseverance has made her one of the strongest students of not only her class but the entire school.
María's family has also fully committed to the Academy. They have embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, lead, and serve. María works hard in the classroom, her older sister volunteers in leadership activities, and her mother serves on the parents’ committee. They go above and beyond the expectations of an Amigos Academy family out of gratitude for the opportunities it represents.
Today, María and her family have become a model for others at the Academy and in their community. They demonstrate what can happen when opportunity is met with commitment. One family’s decision to keep showing up, growing, and serving is helping other families believe they can do the same. They a truly lighting the path to transformation in Chinandega.
Sara Rebeca Caballero
Leaders in Action
Growing up in La Picota, Sara was surrounded by many adults who never learned to read. At only 19, she is helping change that. While pursuing her own education to become a Clinical Laboratory professional, Sara spends time helping older adults sound out words and write letters they never had the opportunity to learn in school.
Education has opened a door for Sara, and she is holding that door open for others. That determination has been tested. Sara experienced the devastating loss of her father last year, but she feels her purpose has carried her through her grief. She has continued her studies while serving children, youth, and older adults in her community. Through Leaders in Action, she is receiving the support and leadership development to keep pursuing her own future while investing in the future of others.
Without these opportunities, the loss and challenges Sara has faced could have narrowed what was possible for her. Instead, Sara's world is getting bigger, and she is making sure others in La Picota have the chance for theirs to grow too.
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Academy Updates
Students from preschool all the way up to 7th grade are experiencing life transformation through quality education!
students
studying at the Amigos Academy!
meals served
in our comedor allowing our students to focus on their spiritual, personal, and academic growth!
Attendance
everyday
at the
Amigos Academy!
Fine Arts Class
Academy students receive instruction in music, theater, and dance in the recently constructed arts building. Recorders supplied by the Northridge mission group made it possible for these students to learn scales and grow their musical knowledge. We hope that with practice, students will be able to read music independently on the piano and other instruments.
Construction Update
As of September, our high school building now has a roof and stairs up to the second floor. We are so close to having the classrooms that will host our 7th- and 8th-grade classes next year and high school classes for many years to come.
Celebrating Culture
In May, our students and staff put together a parade to celebrate the Amigos Academy’s 6th anniversary. Each class created a unique presentation to represent the culture of a country whose visitors we have welcomed to Amigos over the past few years. This activity showed them the beauty of intertwining cultures and how every person and culture is valuable, a lesson very central to Amigos’ values.
Leaders in Action
Students from 7th grade all the way up to the university are studying in the best schools in Nicaragua!
students
in the Leaders in Action program!
scholarship students from plan 7 communities
in 20 different communities from all over the department of Chinandega.
psychologist meetings
to support our student’s mental health and wellbeing.
Monthly Meetings
Each month, our scholarship students from all over Chinandega gather at the Amigos complex to participate in activities that foster friendships and explore their leadership abilities. They also break out into smaller groups to develop their vocational interests and learn from a professional in their field.
Student Retreat
Throughout the year, we offer two student retreats one for our high school and university scholarship students. These retreats focus spiritual development and community building. This years retreat focused on the values of God and how we can live them out every day.
Parent Involvement
In August, Leaders In Action parents, led by the program’s psychologist, gathered to discuss communication in parenting. Parents participated in activities to assess their current communication style and learn skills to help them not only emotionally support their teens but also create healthy boundaries.
Baseball Academy
The program promotes teamwork, inclusion, Christian values, discipline, and healthy habits, setting up these young athletes to live purposeful lives.
players
in the Amigos Baseball Academy!
players on scholarship
in our Leaders in Action program
international tournaments
giving our players new opportunities and global exposure
Playball Weekend
In June, the Amigos Baseball Academy hosted one of the international locations of the MLB Play Ball Weekend, the first time ever to be held in Nicaragua. 200 children participated in the first event of its kind here in Chinandega, practicing baseball and having a good time. The baseball academy is so thankful to have been chosen for this opportunity.
Practice makes perfect
Baseball academy students gather several afternoons a week for practice. However, they are learning more than just baseball skills. Our coaching staff pours into them, teaching the importance of hard work, working together as a team, and their value as individuals.
Minors League Parade
The Amigos Baseball Academy is one of 10 organizations in the department of Chinandega to join the first Minor League of the Department. In May, the baseball academy students got to participate in a parade around town, proudly showing off their Baseball Academy jerseys and later a ceremony celebrating the start of the league.
Sponsor-Student Encounters
This school year, we have been honored to welcome nearly 50 scholarship sponsors between Leaders in Action and the Amigos Academy! These visits create a powerful moment of connection—where students feel deeply encouraged by meeting those who believe in them, and sponsors witness firsthand the incredible impact their support makes. Together, during these meaningful moments, both students and sponsors are inspired and strengthened. We are excited for all the sponsors who will join us next year on a mission trip!
