The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

Whilst I was in Ometepe, we gathered evidence of the many needs of the schools and formed them into a yearplan thinking of the best time tom offer support and the priorities across the schools. Since my return we have funded three further projects. The first was the repairs to the roof in the secondary school.  One of the classrooms had a rusted roof which let in the rain and with the approaching raining season it was clearly going to make for very uncomfortable learning and teaching.  With the help of Marvin and Pedro Antonio we purchased materials and the repair was made. There was a repair to a retaining wall needed in the primary school, again to prevent the foundations being washed away by the heavy rains.  We found ourselves able to support this task too. More recently we have supported the construction of a retaining wall to prevent the mud being washed downhill onto the children's play area. Meanwhile the school used some of its...

When I left there were a couple of outstanding jobs to be done and Marvin kept behind them reporting back to me and sending receipts.  The main task was the completion of the floor in the secondary school, being undertaken by Jose's father Pedro Antonio..  This was duly completed and after time to dry was put in use. There are however further tasks outstanding in this school, the  roof which really needs mending before the raining season and two further classrooms with very damaged floors. A joining path in Rafaela Herrera was also completed to remove a dangerous drop.  This took few materials and a little labour but made such a difference to the school. There seemed to be considerable difficulty getting things finished in Sintiope band Las Pilas.  However the head of Las Pilas was very ill, and it sounded like Coronovirus, although at that point the government was denying its existence in the country.  However the plumbing works at Sintiop...

Saturday dawned a warm day with blue sky but followed by intermittent cloud and really heavy downpours in the evening, and Sunday has started cloudy and cool. I almost felt the need for a pullover. And now the rain is coming down heavily as if to prepare me for England. I've been well bitten despite the deet. I think they've got me at night. Tonight I'll unfold the sheet and have it over my arms and head too. Especially since Miguel, the young man here said they're Zancudo, the big mosquitos and when I looked up they're the dengue fever ones. But I've not heard of it being around here at the moment. Yesterday I squashed one on  the sheet and it was full of blood! Mine I imagine. Yesterday I did a little pen and ink sketch of the view and painted it later. Miguel asked if he could have it as a present. I don't see why not! Marvin, Sylvia and Jordy arrived on the bus mid morning, I had been for a swim and was doing some sewing whilst drying off. I show...

The end of the week has included two more school farewells, one at El Corozal and one at Las Pilas. And today I move on to another hotel, so the hotel owner is picking me up and taking me to Marvin's house. Patrick is coming too as he's doing some plumbing work.  Yesterday he went to the builders' merchant to buy the parts, with a lift from Carlos, who works here. I had a quiet morning having a drink with Jose and his friend in a little ranchita near the university. His friend is also a recovering alcoholic and has been sobre for 18 months during which time he has set up this little business selling fruit drinks and bottled drinks to the university students. He has constructed much of it himself in wood and it is very good. I keep my fingers crossed for these young men who have lost their way. It is such a waste of their lives.  They gave me cake and a pineapple smoothie and wouldn't let me pay anything. This has been a big change this year as before I rather felt peo...