Evan is the co-founder and Executive Director of ViviendasLeón. Until 2003, Mr. Markiewicz worked under the auspices of the New Haven/León Sister City Project, an internationally recognized NGO, where he developed ViviendasLeón and its programs targeting the needs of rural Nicaraguan communities. He graduated from the University of Southern California in Architecture and holds a Master of Architecture degree from Yale UniversityViviendasLeon is an international development and global… Show more Evan is the co-founder and Executive Director of ViviendasLeón. Until 2003, Mr. Markiewicz worked under the auspices of the New Haven/León Sister City Project, an internationally recognized NGO, where he developed ViviendasLeón and its programs targeting the needs of rural Nicaraguan communities. He graduated from the University of Southern California in Architecture and holds a Master of Architecture degree from Yale UniversityViviendasLeon is an international development and global education organization based in San Francisco and Leon, Nicaragua. Our mission is to eliminate rural poverty by creating self-sufficiency within rural communities and educating our next generation of global citizens.Using an inclusive, supportive and collaborative process, our development programs empower rural families to improve their standard of living by building their capacity in the areas of food production, economic development, environmental stewardship, resource management, leadership, citizenship and social equality.Our global education programs seek to foster intercultural relationships and build networks between rural and international communities, while creating global awareness among international students who directly support rural development, learn transferable skills and develop a commitment to social justice.Our Vision:To become a leading organization in self sufficient human and community developmentTo create a flexible model of development that is replicable in other communities and populationsTo develop agency and capacity among populations that have been historically disadvantagedTo reduce violence and increase social and gender equality within rural communitiesTo promote leadership and community organization that enhances self-determinationTo restore the environment as a resource for self sustaining human developmentTo develop economic security through local and diversified development Show less