Dear Friends,
“If the only prayer you said was ‘thank you,’ that would be enough.”
-Meister Eckhart, 14th Century Catholic mystic
This weekend we express gratitude to the women and men who have served our wonderful country. We thank them for their sacrifice which inspires us and allows us to be free to serve others as well. We pass and extend all that was given to us.
From Neighbors to Nicaragua to all who make so much possible: Thank you for your service.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend!
With gratitude,
Chuck
St. Brendan the Navigator…A Gift for Many!
How fortunate to have experienced the hospitality of Fr. William Kelly and the amazingly hospitable congregation of St. Brendan the Navigator parish in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ.
Neighbors to Nicaragua’s food program was the focus of the parish’s Lenten giving campaign “Bread for Life.” Their wonderful efforts raised a stunning $15,160 for our annual food budget.
Providing food for our students and for families in our barrio is a cornerstone of our mission. Our sincerest gratitude to St. Brendan the Navigator for giving hope through good nutrition for our great community! We’re very grateful to you.
José Santos Rocha Mercado: Giving Back
The Nicaraguan government requires all medical students to provide community service during their 4th year (of 6) of medical training. From May 6th until May 30th, José, sponsored by our donors, is working in the most rural parts of the country. He is administering vaccines against covid, malaria, and dengue to those who otherwise would not have access to them. The heatwave has had temperatures near 105, and he has had to walk quite a bit. José wrote this week “I’m grateful for the chance to do this because I’m learning more than I ever anticipated from this experience. I’m inspired from having met many humble, good people.”
Thank you José, for your service.
Ready…Set…
Our center is almost ready to open! The contractors have left; we’re now painting and furnishing. The beautiful end result is the collaboration of so much generosity, time, and hard work that came from both the U.S. and Nicaragua. We’re so fortunate to have this gift. Thank you!
Director’s Office
A Game Area/Meeting Space for Talks/Life Skills Instruction
(Doors to a classroom and counseling office)
Street View with Fresh Paint:
Matt James Haley Vocational Center below and our Youth Center above
In Nicaragua, Mother’s Day is always May 30th
Tuesday is Mother’s Day, a national holiday in Nicaragua. Our students have been hard at work preparing a presentation for their mothers who do so much for them. They’re making decorations and preparing songs and folk dancing. We look forward to the photos! Feliz Día de la Madre to all the great mothers in our barrio!
Our Wish List: Update
Computers: Although one of our donors was to go to Nicaragua and was planning to take and deliver the four computers to our teachers, illness, unfortunately prevented that from occurring. Three volunteers and I will go to Nicaragua on July 29th, and we will bring them with us to deliver. The computers are here and ready to be packed!
Copier: Many many thanks for your generous response to purchase our beautiful new copier. Because of you, Maycól, our director, traveled to Managua to purchase it. It arrived at the store on Thursday and will be delivered tomorrow. We look forward to sharing a photo of it in our next update. The teachers are excited to have this undreamed-of convenience to enjoy. Muchísimas gracias!
Thank you for your kindness!
