Dear friends,
January = anticipation in Nicaragua.
A new school year – and a new year for all – is well underway. Adults and children look forward together.
We’ve cleaned our school, dining room, vocational center, and youth center. We’ve completed a needs-assessment for some repairs, and ordered school supplies for the first six months of the year. We’ve ordered “granos básicos” (kitchen basics: rice, beans, oil, and more) for the first six months as well. We’ve paid enrollment fees for our students for their primary or secondary schools, or their universities. We also purchased many uniforms, shoes, socks, and backpacks for our children to be prepared to attend public and private schools and march forward.
This was about $14,000 of expenses. We have it because you’ve given it!
Through your very generous response to the annual appeal and the support of the Matt Haley Trust, we’re able to do this and to begin our new year . We don’t raise funds to keep them; we raise them to improve lives entrusted to us.
You created a “Happy new Year” for many. Thank you!
Chuck
Becoming a Doctor in Nicaragua
The first young man we ever met in Nicaragua (in 2011) – José Santos Rocha Mercado (wearing green below) was hanging out on the streets. Now, he is in his final year of medical training before doing his compulsory year of community service and then graduating as a full-fledged doctor. He has worked hard -against many odds – and has shown us that miracles happen. Congratulations, José… We’re proud of you! His goal is to share his abilities with Neighbors to Nicaragua’s community as a way of giving back for all he’s received. (We’ve already called upon him several times!)
Three New Homes Near Completion!
Years ago, donor Michael DuPree came to Nicaragua on a mission trip. He met up with an extended family, many of whom were attending our school and have since become fluent in English. He has nurtured them through the gifts of friendship, employment counseling, educational opportunities, and much more.
Now, he has provided three of the family members fine new homes in nearby Rivas, Nicaragua. We’re grateful that Michael found us years ago and asked us to help with the logistics of making these homes a reality. We visited the homes in December. They are solid, beautiful, strong concrete structures with full indoor plumbing. They are set up for living and for running planned home- businesses. Thank you, Michael!
Yikes! Sharks!
The baseball team in Granada is the “Tiburones” (Sharks). So when these shoes appeared months ago…they became the rage of the area. For Christmas, we bought pairs for our small students. They felt fiercely empowered! 😅
Unexpected Moments that Change Us
Every trip to Nicaragua brings them up: indelible moments. They’re not planned; they just happen. They catch us by surprise, reset our priorities, and remind us of what’s most important in life. Here are few from our recent trip to share with you.
Sandy
Five years ago, we met Sandy Flores Largaespada, (middle) who is non-verbal. She was suffering with pain most of the day from chronic spasticity. Now, there is a medication (Risperdal) from Sweden that is now available in Nicaragua. Although it is more costly, it has taken her completely out of pain. Maria (Mom…right) is devoted to her care and travels to Managua (an hour away) to purchase it. To see Sandy for the first time with no pain at all was “a moment.” Our thanks to Sandy’s sponsor whose devotion to her has impacted her life significantly! Cristina R…you are her angel!
Liam
If it takes a village, everyone in our village is blessed by this 5 year old’s smiles and hugs. They all know him and he knows them. I brought him a copy of our annual appeal, and was giddy, seeing pictures of people he knows in print.
Liam personifies that smiles are contagious. It’s impossible not to smile inside and out when seeing him! He’s also an unrepentant ‘hugger.”
Our long-time sponsor, Michael L. provides food and aid for his entire family of six each month.
Luciano
When Luciano was born with encephalitis and unable to see or speak, the doctors told his mother Sonia, that he wouldn’t be able to walk and wouldn’t survive for long. She said, “I will take care of him” and reached out to us. Eight years later, Luciano is proving everyone wrong.
There have been many operations and more to come, but through them all, Mom has continued to work as a school aid and the extended family has pitched in to tend to Luciano’s needs. He’s an extraordinary, smart young man who loves to dance and who loves his family. He can walk independently in his house. Our sponsor, Katherine D. provides funds for food and medical care each month.
Look What I Did!
In December, end-of-the-year-grades come out, and our students cornered us with their excitement. Filled with pride, they want to show us how well they did.
There’s only one response…”Wow, you are sooo awesome…” because they are!
