Dear Friends,
After each trip to Nicaragua, there is a deepened sense of the privilege of making friends with those whose lives teach us the essence of what is important in our time together.
Although we provide nutrition now to over 200 people a day…and although we offer education, it is we who are fed and inspired by the strong, quiet fortitude of people who get up each morning and continue moving forward under the most challenging conditions…and it is we who learn about strength and wisdom that is earned by observing their humble effort and industry.
Thank you for joining with us, for your simple kindness and immense generosity. During a recent two-week visit, I was asked repeatedly to thank all who make our efforts possible.
May the holidays and the new year be filled with much happiness and good health for you and your families.
Our deepest gratitude to you from us and from our grateful friends.
Chuck
Help For Candelaria
Six weeks ago, we asked you for help with Candelaria and her family of five, and your response was immediate. I visited the house where she lives with her five children both before and right as we began improvements. Members of our youth group and Maycól hand-dug a proper latrine which was later fitted with functional drainage and wall reinforcement. This will be framed and enclosed for bathroom use. The family will no longer need to walk a distance to dispose of their own waste. Later this week, we will purchase and deliver beds and some other basic needs.
Even by Nicaraguan standards, this family lives in severe poverty. We regularly provide food. While we would like to build a more permanent structure for this family, the owner of the land would likely evict them in order to keep the structure.
So we need to walk a fine line by considering options without jeopardizing the little they have. Thank you for all you’ve done to help!
This was her entire home. It’s framed in tin that is nailed to scrap wood. There is no plumbing or electricity. Inside is a bed, which rests on a dirt floor, and it’s piled with all the family owns.
We tripled the size of living space to give separate private space to the three women and the two young men.
This is the family’s stove. Hanging along the side of the house is a sheet for privacy around a makeshift bathroom.
Members of our youth group and Maycól hand-dug a proper latrine which was later fitted with functional drainage and wall reinforcement.
This will be framed and enclosed for bathroom use. The family will no longer need to walk a distance to dispose of their own waste.
Marcos (in the red cap) is a member of our youth group. He is with us all day and feels safe in our program. We are working with his brother (in blue) by getting him help for addiction (glue).
We Will Be Opening School In February In Our New Building
Members of our youth group have voluntarily shown up at the school each day of constructions to work alongside our two contractors. The work was grueling, but they were eager to learn skills, feel useful, have structured days and enjoy earning a little bit of income. Because of their efforts, we are ahead of schedule. In a couple of weeks, our new building will be ready for painting. By mid-January, we will be registering our students for the new school year which will begin in early February. This is a miracle that you made happen. We can’t thank you enough!
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These three pictures are of our education center, Centro de Oportunidad. The roof will be added this week, and the ceramic tile and dry wall will also be installed. It will be ready for painting by the new year.
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The pictures below give an idea of what will soon be our new dining room. The Spanish word for dining room is “el comedor.” The official name of our dining room is Comedor Sandeep Panwalker to honor the memory of Sandeep, whose gentle kindness touched those fortunate enough to have known him. His spirit continues, helping others daily through Neighbors to Nicaragua.
Maycól Garcia: The Wearer of Many Hats
It’s sometimes a challenge to talk with Maycól at school for more than five uninterrupted minutes. Someone from the youth group has questions. The phone rings, and it’s the local police wanting to give him an update on one of the adolescents he’s mentoring with their help.
Isabel, our cook, wants to discuss next week’s shopping list; a student needs a pencil for class. Maycól’s well-respected leadership in the barrio has made a big difference in our abilities to work effectively with the great people there.
December is graduation month in Nicaragua. So it was no surprise that three people asked Maycól to “walk” with them in their graduation ceremonies. The first is Martin Muñoz who graduated primary school and second are mother and daughter Sonia and Francheska Reyes who both attended night school to complete their secondary school diploma. To all our graduates: Felicidades!