Dear Friends,
Out of the mouths of babes comes wisdom…
I was once asked what “bullying” was by a young person in our community who had heard the term in the news. As I explained the concept, his face expressed confusion.
“Why would people do that?” he asked.
What we teach our students sometimes pales compared to what they teach us. Their focus is simple: learning, gratitude for food, faithfulness to our community for help received, respect for family and for each other.
Their virtues surround and inspire us. In turn, they exhibit joy, gratitude, faithfulness, and respect. The line often blurs between who’s learning from whom.
We are fortunate to have a community where we learn from each other.
And, as always…we are all grateful to you for making this small miracle possible!
Chuck
Beginning with Love and Friendship
In Nicaragua, Valentine’s Day is “El Día del Amor y Amistad” (The Day of Love and Friendship). Our wonderful literacy teacher, Jenny, wanted to kick off a new school year by acknowledging respect, love, and friendship as the foundation of what’s to come. Her students were all for it…(especially since it involved cake! 🎂).
What a day of Love and Friendship looks like many years later.
They are among the many strong people in our community…
José Mario Ortiz is 72. He and his wife, Alba Luz Ruiz, live with and care for her mother, Auxiliadora del Carmen Ruiz Ondoy who is blind.
Everyday, José walks the streets through several communities, carting and selling vegetables. He travels miles in the heat. Neighbors to Nicaragua is proud to know him and is inspired by his family’s dedication to each other.
Because of you we’ve been able to aid them with occasional medical help and home improvements. They are a welcomed, respected presence in the course of our day.
Something new on our Wish List
Last year, we completed the construction of our Youth Center. Next Saturday, Neighbors to Nicaragua will begin hosting a forum of weekly “Saturday Morning Youth Gatherings” given by youth counselor Gian Carlos Maltez Cano.
Gian Carlos, a trained counselor and educator, has had much success motivating and counseling youth in our area, He has organized a Saturday morning program specifically for our kids..
The need for guidance by a positive role model and a forum to explore values through introspective evaluation and peer communication are critical for our population. Gian Carlos’s salary is $140 a month, and we’re looking for donors to help us make this program ongoing. Please be in touch with any questions, and thank you – as always – for your interest and investment in advance.
The Matt Haley Vocacional Center is up and running!
After the 2nd floor construction of our Youth Center last year, the first floor Matt Haley Vocational Center is up and running again!
This month, we began our six-week course of salon skills. César agreed to teach again. Although he is sought after in the city, his students love his patience and guidance as a teacher, and he loves working with them. Volunteer subjects – men and women – are readily available for manicures and pedicures!
