September 10 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Dale Carnegie wrote, “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” We are fortunate to have a part in the lives of our friends who get up each day, aware of blessings they have, and walk with strength, hope, and gratitude.

A few of their stories are included in our update today to share with you.

You have been so instrumental in providing the means for making this possible…and we are all grateful for it.

Thank you for all you continue to do,

Chuck

Mid-Year Appeal Results Are In

(and are amazing!)

Our goal for our mid-year appeal was to raise $20,000 to offset the increase costs of expenses that arose rather suddenly in Nicaragua this year. With several generous donations since our last update added to those already made, you helped us raise $22,500!

To all who took the time and made the effort to share so much with us: We and our entire community send infinite thanks to you!

The Dedication of a Young Man

José Daniel Rivera Galan is in the third grade. Each morning, he attends his public school from 7:30 until 12:30. Afterwards, he walks 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) to attend our program to reinforce his basic skills sets. Afterwards, he receives a meal to carry home in his Tupperware container. During vacations and holidays, he collects “leña” (firewood) for his mother to use for cooking. Occasionally, he cares for his neighbor’s parrots when they are away, earning 100 cordobas ($2.72) a day. He gives this to his mother to help with expenses. His mother works maintaining fruit trees on a nearby farm and José helps occasionally. His dream is to become a doctor “so he can cure his mother from her acute asthma attacks”. Perhaps we have a pulmonologist in the making. Regardless, the strength and dedication of this young man inspires us.

Speaking of Doctors…

When Adrianna Huembres was only eight years older than José (above), she too wanted to study medicine. While she passed her competitive qualification tests, she needed financial assistance, and through your help, Neighbors to Nicaragua provided it. Through much hard work, she became a doctor last year, and subsequently chose OB-GYN as a desired speciality. This past week she performed her first cesarean delivery. In addition to being a hardworking, skilled doctor, she is a very kind, compassionate young woman. Congratulations Adrianna!

The Spirit of “Because We Can”

Dan Finocchiaro came to Nicaragua as a volunteer on our most recent trip to help with painting our youth center. He worked next to Geralds de Jesus Davila part of the time. Geralds is a recent university graduate whom Neighbors to Nicaragua supported by providing tuition, books, and transportation. He’s a talented illustrator who drew all the motivation cartoons about learning on our walls. This prompted Dan’s idea of having Geralds institute a part-time art program which he and his wife Pat committed to fund for our students. Last week, Geralds held his first classes. Thank you, Dan and Pat, for such a wonderful gift for our students!

Neighbors to Nicaragua’s Matt Haley Vocational Center in Action

Joseph Steven Centeno, is a 20-year old husband and father. A year ago, he learned barbering at our vocational center and proved to be a motivated, talented student. His dream was to have his own business, but he lacked the resources to buy a chair, initial products, and equipment. We believed in his ability to succeed and made an investment to jump-start his business. A year later, he is doing quite well and is grateful for being able to have his own business! (We noticed – in one of the pictures- the sign he made for his mirror: “Dios Bendiga a Todos Mis Clientes” which means “God Bless All of My Clients”).