Austin Samaritans and Austin area Barnes & Noble stores have teamed up again to help bring books to students in Nicaragua.

During the book fair, participating Austin area Barnes & Noble stores will feature a display of Spanish-Language books hand-picked as suitable for the students in Nicaragua. You may browse, select, and purchase specific books for the library, and Austin Samaritans will see that your chosen book is placed on the library shelf in Nicaragua.

In addition, and for a limited time only, Barnes & Noble will contribute a percentage of all store sales to Austin Samaritans in support of our efforts to help students in Nicaragua. Simply present a voucher at time of purchase, and Barnes & Noble will contribute a portion of your purchase† to Austin Samaritans.

September 5 - 7 would be a great time to buy books, games, cards, stationery, etc. for work, school, church, or as Christmas gifts. Barnes & Noble carries many items in addition to books.

August 31 - September 7

• Each store will have a recommended Spanish-language book display. Purchase these Spanish language books, put them in a box at the store, and Austin Samaritans will place those books in the El Samuelito library in Nicaragua.

September 5 - 7

• Between September 5 and 7 a portion of the purchase price of any item† in the store will be credited to an account that Austin Samaritans can use to purchase more books for the El Samuelito library, but you must present a voucher to the store clerk at the time of purchase.

Book Fair Voucher

Print this voucher and bring it with you when you shop at Barnes & Noble between Sept 5 and 7.

Store Locations

Four Austin Area Barnes & Noble Stores are participating.

• Arboretum (183 @ Loop 360)
• Homestead (183 near Lakeline Mall)
• Sunset Valley (Brodie Lane)
• Westlake (Bee Caves @ Loop 360)

The Fine Print

† some restrictions apply; food, drink, gift cards, and some other items are excluded.

Xochilta is 8 years old. A first grader living alone all day long. Her parents are gone. She lives at her aunt's house, but her aunt is at work during the day. No child should live like this.

Nicaragua is a beautiful land that masks deep poverty and despair. Eighty percent of the population lives on less than $2.00 per day and almost half on less than $1.00 per day. Women in Nicaragua face a particularly difficult life not only due to economic conditions but also societal mores. Girls face exploitation, assault and sexual abuse at very young ages. Most families are headed by women as men frequently abandon their families after the birth of children.

Austin Samaritans is dedicated to making a difference for all Nicaraguans with particular attention to the needs of women and children. We sponsor schools, health clinics, feeding programs, orphanages and safe homes.

Golf Benefit for the Women of Nicaragua

• Monday, September 29, 2008
• Riverside Golf Club
• Austin, Texas

Southwest Christian Men have answered the call to impact the situation in Nicaragua. They are sponsoring a Golf Benefit for the Women of Nicaragua to assist Austin Samaritans to fulfill its mission. Three ministries will benefit from funds raised by broad participation

1. Casa Esperanza
2. Mercado Oriental Women’s Shelter
3. Villa Esperanza.

Casa Esperanza

Casa Esperanza serves women involved in sex work in Nicaragua. Many have been subjected to abuse and violence. Others turn to prostitution to feed their children or because they possess no skills and have limited education.

Casa Esperanza offers a way out of the sex trade to a safe and productive life. Austin Samaritans provides funding for medical care of the women and their children.

Currently medical care is given in a temporary room at Casa Esperanza. Proceeds from the golf tournament will go to construction of a permanent medical clinic to be staffed by doctors and nurses funded by Austin Samaritans.

Mercado Oriental

Mercado Oriental, the Eastern Market, is where many of Managua’s homeless congregate. Al Centro de Ayuda Esperanza serves the homeless of Mercado Oriental. Austin Samaritans supports the feeding ministry at the center, evangelism and an adjacent medical clinic.

Many women and their children wander the streets at night where they are subject to assault and rape. Already this year three women have been severely beaten and two have died. Mercado Oriental Women’s Center will provide a safe haven for women and children.

Funds are needed to acquire the land as well as to construct and run the center.

Villa Esperanza

La Chureca, the Managua Municipal Dump, is home to approximately 1,300 people. More than 2,700 people from la Chureca and the surrounding community eke out a living by digging through trash for recyclable items.

Families live in disparate conditions and often give their young daughters to the truck drivers or trash diggers in exchange for the opportunity to dig through a pile of trash first. The going rate for a trick is 10 Córdobas; less than 50 cents in US currency.

Villa Esperanza is a project devoted to assisting girls at risk of being forced into the sex trade. The girls will receive education and life skills training as well as medical care and psychological support as many of them have been abused.

Austin Samaritans has sponsored one of nine planned group homes and is committed to providing support for the eight girls who will be living in our home. Funds are needed to support this effort.

You Can Help

You can help lift women and children from a cycle of abuse and poverty. Please join us or become a sponsor at this charity event.