Dear Friends,

This weekend, we honor the many incredible accomplishments of our labor on behalf of our families, our communities, and our country.

Our achievements grow even more meaningful when we share them with others. This is a lesson we live by as we collaborate to improve the lives of those around us through our combined efforts. Perhaps what we really celebrate is the realization that our labors are a portal to real meaning in our lives.

Today’s first piece of news celebrate celebrates the success of our mid-year appeal. Our preview of “Neighbors for Good” takes us deeper into the fruits of our labor on a community level.

Thank you for your own hard work, for your sacrifice, and for sharing its rewards with many who are profoundly grateful.

Warmest regards,

Chuck

Wow! We Did It!

As we approach the end of our mid-year appeal, we are thrilled to share that we have not only reached, but exceeded, our fundraising goal!

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised $26,828—surpassing our $25,000 target. And with the generous match from Dr. Anand Panwalker, our total will be $51,828! This achievement means that we can now confidently meet our food budget expenses for feeding 125 people a day through the end of the first quarter of 2025. Your support has made a tangible difference in the lives of our students and community members, ensuring they receive the nourishment they need and deserve.

We are deeply grateful for your commitment and generosity. Because of you, we can continue our mission and provide for our community with confidence. And because of the way Neighbors to Nicaragua operates, all funds raised will go directly to the people we help because all U.S. board members are strictly volunteers.

Thank you for your unwavering support and for your faith. Together, we are making a meaningful impact.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

We’re so pleased to introduce Reyna Isabel Potosme López, our new teacher!

Following an interview and class observation process, we were confident that Reyna’s exceptional teaching skills, passion for education, and dedication to her students would make her an ideal fit for our community. (The unanimous thumbs-up from our students at the end of the session was a testament to Reyna’s exceptional teaching abilities).

Having taught for the past 11 years on one of the small isletas of Lake Nicaragua. Reyna brings with her a wealth of experience to our organization.

Her commitment to her students and community is evident in her daily routine, which involves a remarkable 80-minute commute each way that includes the following:

  • A boat ride
  • Two buses
  • And a final walk to our school

This is a testament to her passion for education and her desire to make a positive impact on the lives of her students.

We are honored to have her join our team and look forward to the valuable contributions she will make to the lives of our students!

¡Bienvenida, Maestra!

Neighbors for Good: Minding Our Own (Local) Businesses!

With thanks to our board chair, Ally Warhol and to Francesca Vavala’s talents from Intech Marketing, Neighbors to Nicaragua is excited to launch a new initiative called “Neighbors for Good “

“Neighbors for Good” spotlights local businesses who offer vital support to Neighbors to Nicaragua or who also champion other great humanitarian efforts. Our aim is to raise awareness of all the help many businesses provide that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Our goal is to celebrate and support their efforts!

If you’re aware of a business that might be interested in being featured, please let us know.

If you don’t already, please follow us on Facebook where we will posting interviews with business leaders in our community very shortly.

The Power of Our Young Women

Neighbors to Nicaragua recognizes that adolescence can be a particularly challenging time for young men and women in our community, especially given the hardships of poverty and limited educational resources. Despite these obstacles, our youth demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination.

We are proud to introduce two of our outstanding young women who are currently thriving in our English program, which is skillfully taught by Marvin Antonio Aviles. Their stories are a testament to the strength and potential of our students:

Yeimi Abigail Tenorio Mendoza lives directly across the street from our school with her family in their home, constructed from discarded sheets of tin. Since we see her and her family regularly and she eats at our school, she feels like a part of our family as well.

At 16 years old, Yeimi has been a dedicated student in our English program for three years.

Although she is currently in 10th grade, where English is part of the curriculum, Yeimi feels that she has learned the most from Marvin Antonio Aviles, who mentors her daily. We are immensely proud to witness her continued progress and growth.

Magaly Garcia’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and determination. Despite the obstacles she has faced, including poverty and a lack of formal education, she has shown incredible strength and perseverance. Balancing motherhood, personal growth, and education.

Her involvement in our school community, including always greeting others with a smile, demonstrates her generous spirit and positive attitude. We support Magaly not only through our nutrition program but also by purchasing food which she makes and sells on the street. This not only helps her sustain her business which provides for the needs of her two-year old child, but also fosters a supportive and inclusive environment.

Magaly’s journey underscores the importance of creating opportunities for education and support, especially for those facing economic hardships. Her achievements and contributions to the community are truly inspiring.