Dear Friends,
The range of human experience in our update today is vast. From food, drinks, and dancing, to scavenging in a garbage dump, we’re reminded that we exist where we are, possessing what we have, and our purpose is to do what we can…because we can.
As our partners, you show us that when we do this, the most important things in life arise among us, namely caring for one another.
Thank you for being that beacon,
Chuck
Our Thanks to St. Margaret of Scotland
On October 14th and 15th, Neighbors to Nicaragua was invited to share its work during all the masses at St. Margaret of Scotland in Glasgow, DE. It was a privilege to be among such a welcoming, generous congregation! Our gratitude to Fr. Ed Ogden, the parish’s pastor, and the wonderful parishioners for such a special opportunity to share the lives of the great people we serve with the great people these parishioners are. Thank you!
More than Meets the Eye
Many children, whose primary residence is the street, find solace and security in the nurturing environment provided by Neighbors to Nicaragua’s youth center, Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope).
In return for the support they receive, these adolescents contribute to the care of the center and to the well-being of their peers. They take pride in maintaining a clean and uplifting environment, ensuring that our ministries remain conducive spaces for learning and growth. Additionally, they assume the role of guardians, diligently watching over the younger children.
Marcos (who is in the gray shirt and who has been with us for five years), turned 15 during our last trip to Nicaragua, and it was special to be able to celebrate him! He has come a long way, and we’re incredibly proud of him.
Happy 15th birthday, Marcos and thank you for contributing so much to Centro de Oportunidad!
Dancing for Our Barrio
Oldies Night personified “because we can”. The number of people who helped, donated, and attended illustrated how much is given by so many to make our efforts successful. Special thanks to SIX PAUPERS and ULYSSES AMERICAN GASTROPUB for their amazing food. Thanks to DJ NICK VAVALA for keeping our dance floor active all evening. And our thanks for the donated gift cards and a very special KEY WEST VACATION HOME auction gift! This is all in addition to those who set-up, cleaned-up, purchased decorations, and supplies, baked, prepped vegetables, helped with publicity, ticket sales, and much more. As the oldie by Sly and he Family Stone says, “It’s a Family Affair,” and we’re very grateful to each and everyone of you.
Golfing for Our Barrio
Members of UD’s Phi Kappa Tau fraternity alumni teed off for their annual golf reunion which was a hole-in-one for Neighbors to Nicaragua. The picture-perfect day at Patriots Glen in Elkton, MD on Oct. 15th was the setting that raised $4,000 for the great people of Neighbors to Nicaragua’s mission. We are grateful to this them for all they’ve done for us over the years and for their creativity for having fun with a purpose!
La Joya
Several families in our barrio whom we support with food, education, and medical needs spend time regularly in La Joya, the municipal garbage dump. (Ironically, “la joya” means “a piece of jewelry”). Our friends time their visits to what days and times trucks will arrive, and they spend hours searching through the “new trash” for anything recyclable.
Maycól, our director and some of our adolescents from Neighbors to Nicaragua went out this week to bring something to drink to our friends who were working in unimaginable conditions. Being there reminds us how fortunate we are; how grateful we are to be able to help; and how incredibly strong our friends are.
Meet Henry. We’re Proud of Him.
Henry Pomares Garcia is 12 years old. We have helped support him and his devoted parents since he was diagnosed with autism eight years ago. He is attending a private school and has overcome – against amazing odds – many social and intellectual obstacles to learning how to read and write and learn. His outlet for his emotions are the arts, primarily acting. His parents put forth that he has a healthier outlet for his emotions than most boys his age and they view their son with pride, proud of his uniqueness and God-given talents. Thank you for all you’ve made possible through the years to make success possible for Henry and his parents.
