The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

What is a blessing is our natural resources and the hospitable nature of the people who have little money. In Nicaragua there is always bean, rice, bananas and fish. We eat beef or pork typically on Sunday because every Saturday there is always fresh meat. Canned things we do not eat much because it is expensive, and there are always fish. This morning I was going fishing for my family. The food here is always almost the same, but many different dishes vary according to the traditions. I go with my mum to the forest where there are many mangoes, coconut palms in the lava of the volcano.  At the same time we collect a little wood for cooking and termites for the chicks because that is what they eat. Wages are very low in Nicaragua and families work in order to feed their families with few able to afford the luxuries we in the UK regard as necessities.  Local wages are just a few dollars a day and people will do a variety of things to make a living.  Alongside the tours that

So to prepare to help effectively I decided to take a TEFL course online so that I would feel confident to work with the students. https://www.futurelearn.com/  Jose then suggested that it would be good if I hired a scooter to get around, a big challenge as I had not ever driven a scooter and  been on one for 50 years.  But I decided it was another 'go for it' moment and signed up for some lessons. Meanwhile Jose had been in touch with the local primary school, Rafaela Herrera, where the headteacher Amada Griselda Cruz Barrios, wrote a letter by hand, which Jose photographed and sent by Whattsapp. The school had no computers,many of the children had no school uniform to come to school and the buildings were in a bad state of repair.  In addition there is no sports equipment and when the team plays football, the children have to borrow balls and kit. But the children appeared happy and enthusiastic, whether in their lessons or helping to clean the school. S

Jose began to update me regularly on the progress of the project and the many things that  needed to be done, the purchase of kayaks, the construction of the site, the installation of a biodigestor. He sent me regular information,. photos and gave me the honour of putting my name on one of the kayaks. Jose said, 'We will say it is the name of a very special friend that we love very much and in her honour we have written her beautiful name and will remember her always. From having been my guide in Ometepe, Jose and I have become special friends.  We share information on our respective countries on a regular basis but most importantly we have a shared commitment to helping the children in the community.  It has amazed me that two people from different generation, different cultures and opposite sides of the world can have found so much in common. We share many ideas and make plans together from a distance and Jose is able to begin implementing some of those ideas immediately f

Cash £3115.22 Other items 720 biros 600 +pencils and coloured pencils rulers (42), sharpeners (70), scissors (44) 30 Highlighter pens, 30 erasers 40 exercise books ( Rymans ordered so I was exempt from postage) Small quantity of paints and brushes and craft materials 14 new polo shirts in various sizes 6 prem baby hats and two blankets 31 used school shirts & 1 skirt, 2 pairs trousers 10 paintboxes 4 sets of crayons and paints and paint brushes Sewing kits all made up. More sewing materials from Catherine Patterson The suitcase is filling up White school shirts (24 ) 3 laptops, 1 portable printer and CD player and speakers, from Billingshurst Community Partnership. Sports equipment, including footballs, table tennis kits, skipping ropes.  October 2017, boxes all packed up and ready to go in Peace and Hope's container. Will keep my fingers crossed they go to correct destination but everyone is deserving and there will

Grateful thanks is given to the following for their kind donations to help the children Gerry Etherington Frances Westwood Angela Palmerton Purley Overseas Trust Moira Protani John Butterworth Peter Gargett Lorraine Kenny Helen Abbott Linda Lasham Margarita House Fay Norman Rosemary Miles Lyn Maile Hilary Vaughan Fleur Campbell Kerry Taylor Patricia Wilkes Catherine Patterson Sue Marshall & friend Norma The Tilley Family Heidi Hurwood Vicky Clee Val Langford Moshin and Gazala Vicki Sharman The Billingshurst Lions Mary Rumney Sue Marshall & friend from Devon Edith Hardy Dyllis Peacock Chris Campbell Paloma Diez Aja Sally and Paul Barrett Alan Barton Maggie Oechsle Cheri from Pilates Angela Jensen Leslie Stewart & friend Hilary and Richard Ferries Shirley Collins Michelle Dean I am donating any profits from the sales of my art and embroidery, so thank you to those who have made purchases. art and embroidery Young Creators B