Dear Friends,
Why do we have cookouts on Memorial Day Weekend to remember the fallen women and men who fought for our freedom? Additionally, this Memorial Day, our country mourns and remembers the fallen victims of an unfathomable tragedy in Uvalde, Texas.
But cookouts and gatherings of friends and families continue.
Perhaps the human condition instinctively knows that the most powerful antidote to struggle and loss…is life.
The parents of children who are gone too soon – on the battlefield, in the classroom, or as a result of illness, drug violence, or suicide – must go on and spend their lives as witnesses to the belief that (as the t-shirts proclaim) “Life is Good.”
The statement is an absolute.
Today, Neighbors to Nicaragua celebrates it’s 10-year anniversary rooted in this belief. Oppressive governments, people who are hungry and mired in poverty, political egos growing out of control in attempts to take control…while none of these are life-affirming, we know in the marrow of our bones: Life is good.
We will continue to support that belief – together – with thanks and deep appreciation for your tenacity in walking this path with us…because we can.
Ten years in…and onward!
With gratitude,
THE TENTH YEAR
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THE FOURTH BRANCH
Neighbors to Nicaragua shares our updates every three weeks. Twice a year, we have a mailing campaign. Our goal is to never overburden our donors with solicitations while keeping them well-informed about what they make possible.
In a week, we’ll be mailing our mid-year campaign brochure. (For your convenience, you can view it HERE). Its aim is to raise funds to build a youth counseling center, our “fourth branch” to complement education, nutrition, and vocational training. It will be built as the second floor of our current vocational center. Please take a moment to look over the brochure when it arrives. We hope you’ll be able to help.
It’s a Family Affair
Regardless of the day of the week, Día de las Madres (Mother’s Day) in Nicaragua is always on May 30th, and it’s a national holiday. “Dia de los Niños” (Day of the Children) occurs on May 27th, a day to celebrate the young in our families and communities. This year, our teachers created a Santa’s workshop to have students make piñatas and plan special treats. As with anything involving “dulces” (candies) the entire barrio turned out, about 200 children. It was a big success. The children loved it.
The teachers went home and napped!😅
Healthy Boundaries
Meet Cristohfer Samuel Roa Obregón, age 12. He’s been a good student in Darling’s literacy class for a year and a half. But recently, he started going “off the rails” – skipping school, giving his mother and siblings attitude, and bullying other students. We became concerned because it seemed a bit more than simply normal 12-year-old rebellion.
We visited his mother who parents alone in a one-room home with a dirt floor in our barrio. We suspected his acting out was a cry for attention and spoke to her about the importance of imposing reasonable behavioral expectations as a sign of love. Together, we made a plan to help Cristhofer.
First, we built a separate room to afford privacy for him, his siblings, and his mother. Then, we moved him to one-on-one instruction with Roberto, our terrific youth counselor and teacher. This way, he’ll continue his literacy education. He knows we care, so he’s showing up for school, learning, feeling less need to act out, and has a greater sense of safety. We’re loving and encouraging, but clear about expectations…and we take it a day at a time.
It was Cristohfer’s fellows-students who jumped to action to work with our contractor, Will, to build him his bedroom. Our kids are mentoring one another by example…and there is no force more powerful than this.
Will and Fernando, framing out Cristhofer’s bedroom.
His classmates help with the drywall.