Dear Friends,
It was wonderful to be in Nicaragua for two weeks with much time to spend in our barrio, Nueva Esperanza. Repeatedly, I was asked to convey to you the gratitude of many for all the hope you provide.
For the first time, unprecedented numbers of Nicaraguans are risking the little they have to escape poverty by relocating to Costa Rica, Mexico, the United States, and elsewhere. The choice to leave is a complex, challenging, and dangerous undertaking.
Neighbors to Nicaragua strives to provide our community members reasons to stay, to persevere. We do this by providing adequate nutrition in The Sandeep Panwalker Dining Facility, vocational training at The Matt James Haley Center, and literacy in language, math, and basic English skills in Centro de Oportunidad.
Education provides hope and helps stem the tide of despair.
Nicaraguans don’t want to leave their country. Historically, there were never many Nicaraguans among the immigrants who came to the United States. But recently, they often feel that they have no choice.
Because of your help, we can provide what’s needed to keep families safe, together, and in their beautiful country.
With gratitude!
Chuck
A Day at the Zoo
One of the highlights of each trip to Nicaragua is providing a fun activity for one of our classes. In the course of the school year, we manage to do something for each class. All 51 of our younger students were ready with an idea: they had never visited the national zoo, (about 40 minutes away) and they asked if it was possible to go. So we rented a school bus, and followed the trip to the zoo with a stop off at “Jurassic Park.”
Students made “crowns” and name tags to prepare for the big day.
Literacy teachers Darling and Amelia play “Guess the Animal” with the students on the way to the zoo.
Please Welcome Dr. Abril Auxiliaroda Aguilar Guerrero
This photo was taken in January 2015. Neighbors to Nicaragua gave laptops to Abril and Gerald (who graduated at the top of his university class in engineering in 2019). Days earlier, Abril went to the capital and sat in a crowd of 200 hopeful qualifying students to compete for one of only four national scholarships that would allow her to pursue a medical degree.
The day before I left to return, she learned that she was awarded one of the coveted spots for 2015’s entering class that began one month later. This past Thursday she successfully defended her thesis and became a medical doctor. We are incredibly proud of her, and we send a special thanks to all who supported her and made this dream a reality!
Our Soccer Team
Neighbors to Nicaragua’s soccer team is a member of the REAP Christian League, a league focused on local youth at risk. Most of our members have had rough beginnings, spending much time in the streets before coming to our center for training, education, and counseling. They’re learning a lot through team building and quality time with Roberto, their coach. They practice in the hot mid-afternoon sun and are already third in the league. It was wonderful to witness their game on a Sunday morning. (We tied 3-3)!
Follow Up to Our Newsletter Wish List Item
for Roberto
Roberto José Fonseca Hernandez
In our previous newsletter, we asked for your help to purchase a new camera for our photographer, Roberto (who is also the soccer coach and adolescent literacy teacher).
Our thanks to all who responded. We purchased the camera last week, and yesterday, it went to Nicaragua with Mike Keenan, one of our board members. It will be in Roberto’s hands tomorrow.
¡Muchas gracias!
Update: Our Semi-Annual Campaign – Our Youth Center
Thank you to all who have contributed to your Youth Center Campaign. We have raised 30% of our goal, and we’re grateful for this good beginning. We’ll continue this campaign in combination with our end-of-the year campaign.
This recent campaign was to buy a piece of land for $10,000 across the street from our school. Given the current economic climate, donations for non-profits are fewer than in recent years; as a result, we’ve re-considered buying additional land at this time. Our Youth Center for our children who are considered “at risk” is the most important part of our goal. This will be constructed as the second floor to our vocational center. We’ll remain in touch on our progress. We are optimistic that we’ll be building the last part of our mission in 2023! Thank you again for all your generosity. Click HERE to donate.