About PGL
Project Gettysburg Leon (PGL) was founded in 1986 by Karl Mattson and Will Lane. The beginnings of the sister city relationship were visits both men made to Nicaragua in 1983 & 1984, which was a time of turmoil and war in Nicaragua and controversy in the U.S. over government involvement in that war. Over the decades, the mission of PGL became cross-cultural understanding and support of projects which helped the people of Nicaragua. The country is often noted as the second-poorest in the Western Hemisphere and PGL has helped alleviate that circumstance through dozens of projects in support of education, health care, small-scale agriculture and the arts. Delegations between the two countries have been numerous, with Nicaraguans coming to Adams County and groups from Gettysburg traveling to and sometimes working in Leon, Nicaragua, including many students from Gettysburg College who have been part of group visits and individual internships. In 1990, the city of Leon and the city of Gettysburg officially became sister city partners. In the more than thirty years since formalizing the relationship, PGL has worked together with rural and urban Nicaraguans to give meaning and truth to the idea of a sister city relationship. Despite many challenges and changing circumstances, PGL continues its work in support of the people of Nicaragua. Our mutual hopes for a brighter future remain undimmed.
Mission: PGL promotes friendship and advances sustainable development through capacity building funds, education, and cultural exchange programs.
Vision: PGL’s vision is of a just world in which all people have the opportunity to fulfill their potential and are empowered to transform their communities.