We had a calling and realized we could help Ometepe Island

Meet Rochelle and TJ Scott, founders of One Body Global Ministries, Inc. 

We started OBGM in Ometepe Island, Nicaragua largely because of our connection to a 9-year old girl with Leukemia, named Arelis. Because of our relationship with her, we discovered most villages in Ometepe had no hospital, doctors or reliable transportation to medical help. Also, the majority of villagers were so poor, families could not afford the simple bus fare to seek medical help.

We had a calling and realized that our years of business and leadership experience and our technical savvy would enable us to help Ometepe Island in a meaningful, long-term way. Along the way, we developed relationships within the local community to identify needs which initially started as an English program, nutrition program, assistance with college scholarships, primary education school supplies and medical assistance. In fact, we met with the superintendent of education and were able to provide English in the existing school system rather than building an English school of our own. And thus helping the ENTIRE community instead of a group of select students.

In 2019, we personally bought a pickup truck, named Gloria, and allowed local volunteers to use it for food distribution for the extreme poor and as a means of emergency medical transportation in the community.

These experiences, and feedback from our staff and volunteers, helped us refine our ongoing efforts on community and community development, specifically on education, vocation and health-oriented programs that help EVERYONE. Our goal is to engage the community so they run these programs themselves thus, at some point, eliminating the need for OBGM.

We often get asked, "Why not help people in need here in the US?" We choose to help people in remote areas in Central America, because unlike here in the US where some charities and government programs exist, there are extremely limited resources available to people in need in the areas we serve. In many cases, we are the only resource available to help. We feel called to make an impact, through the commitment and generosity of our donors, in these communities that don't have access to the education and resources that allow them to rise above extreme poverty.

Meet the Team

  • Erlin José Álvarez Jiménez

    Project Administrator

    Erlin is 36 years old and lives on Ometepe Island with his wife Yovelsi and son Andrew . We met Erlin & Yovelsi over ten years ago, through Island Breeze Ministries, when Erlin was in Law School and Yovelsi studied architecture at the Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-Managua). Erlin came from a very poor family in Ometepe with nine (9) children. Our relationship through the years grew and we watched Erlin transform from a college scholar beneficiary into an empowered builder in his own community.

    Erlin currently works as a Lawyer and Real Estate Agent and he dedicates part of his time to work with One Body Global Ministries administering and coordinating the programs. In fact, Erlin has 9 years experience working with Christian ministries that serve the communities. Erlin’s dream is to continue serving God through service to others along with his family.

  • Hilder Antonio Alvarez Barrios

    English Teacher

    Hilder is 24 years old and a man of honor in his community. He lives on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua with his with two sisters, mother, two nieces and three nephews. Hilder loves Christian worship songs and he enjoys preaching in his community church. After finishing high school in 2015, he attended Instituto Nacional Tecnologico (INATEC) to study English, and after that, he continued to study at Peace – Corps USA – Nicaragua.

    We are honored to have Hilder be a part of One Body Global Ministries to oversee and teach for our English class outreach. Hilder is motivated to help people grow in English and in their relationship with Jesus. He currently teaches 3 classes, including a large group of young children, some who travel 2-3 km. by foot to attend class on Saturdays! Hilder’s dedication goes beyond the walls of the classroom as he also engages our young students’ parents in their mental and spiritual development. Click here to learn more about our English project.

  • Leydi Graciela Rios Alvarez

    Assistant English Teacher

    Leydi is 25 years old and a mother of a 2 young sons, who are her inspiration to get ahead in life. She currently studies English as a career at the University. Her greatest dream is to become an interpreter so that she can share the Gospel in other languages. She enjoys working at the church and loves to help people who want to learn English.

    Leydi’s other passion is singing (and she’s amazing) and to worship at church. She is also part of her local church’s program with Compassion International, where she holds a close relationship with the children she teaches and loves.

    We are excited to watch Leydi grow in her new role at Assistant English Teacher with OBGM under the mentorship of Hilder Barrios. Our hope is that in the future, Leydi will assume full responsibilities for our Santa Cruz English program. Click here to learn more about our English project.

NON-PROSELYTIZING POLICY

Purpose
This policy applies to One Body Global Ministries, Inc. and its affiliated ministries, organizations, or outreach projects (collectively known as “OBGM”). The purpose of the policy is:

1. To provide internal and external clarity regarding OBGM’s approach to humanitarian aid and development assistance as a Christian ministry;

2. To ensure alignment with recognized international standards on acceptable humanitarian aid and development assistance practices.

Policy
OBGM will not proselytize, nor will OBGM work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with OBGM. This means that OBGM will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must (i) adhere to or convert to a particular faith or (ii) listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

Rationale
OBGM is a Christian ministry dedicated to a vision of a world where everyone is deserving of God’s unconditional love. OBGM conducts its programs in ways that are sensitive and respectful to the cultural context and the local faith community and reflect our belief that all are created in God’s image and deserve to be treated without discrimination.

OBGM’s motivation is to unite people around the concept of “putting God’s love into action” along with others from all faiths or with no faith convictions who are interested in helping those in need.

Globally, faith-based organizations from all religions approach their work with a range of motivations that inform their development approach. This policy is intended to ensure that OBGM conforms to recognized global standards that clearly state that agencies may not condition the receipt of assistance or participation in their work on any requirement that people listen and respond to a message intended to induce people to join a religious movement, political party, or other cause or organization.