Dear Friends,

As I read the stories in this newsletter, I’m struck by the common thread running through them all.

Different people, different places, different circumstances—but the same desire: to make the world a little better.

That desire connects our friends in Nicaragua, our students and staff, our supporters here in the United States, and you, our generous donors. Together, we turn that desire into action—and lives change because of it.

Your generosity creates opportunity, dignity, and hope. We are deeply grateful to you for being part of this shared effort.

With deep gratitude,
Chuck

One big blessing for so many people!

For 14 devoted years, Mary Jane Renzette has given her time, energy, heart, and talents selflessly to Neighbors to Nicaragua, and we are profoundly grateful for all she has done. Mary Jane was vital toestablishing Neighbors to Nicaragua and instrumental in shaping its character, always bringing her warmth, dedication, and remarkable spirit of teamwork to everything she undertook.

Her commitment went far beyond her work at her home—she traveled to Nicaragua with three of her children and her granddaughter, experiencing firsthand the people and communities whose lives she helped touch. Through her tireless service, Mary Jane’s work has made a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of people.

As she retires from her role as secretary, we hope she will now enjoy some well-deserved, unfettered time with her beautiful family. Mary Jane leaves Neighbors to Nicaragua with our prayers, our heartfelt best wishes, our deepest gratitude, and our enduring appreciation for the extraordinary legacy of service she has created.

  • Smiling man and an older woman sit close together on a couch, arms around each other, posing for a photo in a living room.
  • Three adults stand arm in arm in a sunny plaza, with a yellow church featuring twin towers in the background.
  • Person standing in a neutral hallway, holding large gold balloons shaped like 8 and 0 to celebrate an 80th birthday.
  • Smiling older woman with white hair and glasses holds pink cards at a formal reception, standing beside a staged gift table in a banquet hall.

Almost home…sooooo…close!

The Garcia family will be moving into their new home within the next two weeks!

We’re excited to share that the last major step has been completed: bringing electricity to their new home. Located in a very rural area in the northern part of Granada, the home required a significant effort to connect to the main power source. Seven electric poles were welded and installed, extending more than 200 meters from the main electrical source to the family’s home.

Now, only the finishing touches and a few final details remain. The family is filled with excitement and anticipation as they prepare to move/

Thank you for helping make this possible. We can’t wait to see the Garcia family take this final step!

  • Leaning utility pole with hanging wires beside a dirt road and green trees under a blue sky.
  • Dusty rural dirt road lined with utility poles and green trees; a person walks away in the distance under a cloudy sky.
  • Two men install electrical wiring on a corrugated metal ceiling; one stands on a ladder guiding a cable while another holds the ladder steady with a drill nearby.
  • Worker kneeling near unfinished concrete house with a red wooden door and a window under a bright blue sky; a dog nearby on the left.
  • Under-construction interior with gray drywall walls, an open doorway, and a white panel door on the right.

Honoring motherhood in Nicaragua

Nearly all of the children in and around our school live with their mothers—women who are strong, resilient, hardworking, and resourceful, often facing unimaginable circumstances with remarkable determination.

Aneth Auxiliadora Avilés Córdoba gave birth to her son, Eithan Gael Díaz Avilés, in December. With support from Neighbors to Nicaragua, Aneth regained her strength and began working at a local café, enduring grueling days of more than 12 hours (no overtime) because she had little choice.

But recently, Aneth found a job at a fine restaurant in Granada’s tourist district It offered better hours, benefits, good tips, and – most importantly – more time with her son, Eithan.

Aneth’s story reflects the strength and devotion of so many mothers in Nicaragua. We are proud to celebrate their perseverance—and the brighter future she and others are building for their children.

Congratulations, Aneth and Eithan!

  • Woman in a white tank top holding a baby in a store aisle, with a green shopping basket in front containing a pack of Huggies diapers.
  • Woman holding a baby in an aisle of a store, looking at stacked diaper packs on shelves behind them
  • Baby smiling at the camera, held by adults outdoors; wearing a white sleeveless shirt.

Student Spotlight: Meet Elias

Elias Antonio Potoy Urrutia is 9 years old and lives just four blocks from our school. He enrolled in 2025, and we’re so glad he did!

His teacher, Reyna, is incredibly proud of Elias. His presence in her classroom brightens her day, just as being at school brings joy to Elias. He consistently earns good grades both at our school and at his public school, demonstrating his commitment to learning and his desire to do his very best.

Reyna sees Elias as a wonderful example of what is possible when family support, personal motivation, a positive attitude, and self-discipline come together. He brings all of these qualities to his education every day.

And Elias already has a big dream: he wants to become a doctor. We’re honored to be part of his journey and to provide the encouragement, education, and support he needs to make that dream a reality.

We believe in you, Elias! Keep learning, keep dreaming, and keep reaching for the future you envision. We’re so proud of you!

  • Smiling boy in a sleeveless shirt stands in a bright muraled classroom corner with numbers on the blue wall, a painted tree, flowers, and butterflies.
  • Boy wearing a sleeveless shirt points at a grid of large alphabet cards (A–Z) on a blue classroom wall, with colorful pictures beside each letter.
  • One-on-one tutoring: a female teacher sits at a red desk helping a young student with papers in a colorful classroom.

Report: Our Mid-Year Appeal

Thank you to everyone who has responded so generously to the first of our two 2026 fundraising appeals. We’re pleased to share that we’ve raised $7,197 to date.

Our mid-year campaign ends on Labor Day.

Thank you, as always, for your generosity and continued support!

Banner for Neighbors to Nicaragua campaign showing two children with backpacks walking on a sidewalk, with'Lighting the Way' slogan on a green panel.

Monthly Sponsorship Report

As of now, we have 85 generous sponsorships contributing $70/month ($840/year) — to support of our 110 amazing students.

✅ OUR CURRENT SPONSORSHIP RATE IS down from 79% to 77% due to our increased enrollment. Our thanks to our sponsors.

Our goal at Neighbors to Nicaragua is to have the same or greater number of sponsors as we have students, ensuring each child receives a daily meal and a quality education.

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to all our current sponsors, our partners — and to those considering joining this life-changing mission.

Together, we’re making a difference!

Group of smiling children standing behind a yellow table filled with bowls, cups, and a large pot in a colorful cooking classroom/space.”