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January 2025 update

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 And so the Ometepe project continues after eight year.  I had many interesting experiences visiting until the pandemic.  Many things have changed here but even more in Ometepe.  The Nicaraguan government have chosen their political allies which means that many NGOs and charitable groups no longer operate there.  The Peace and Hope Trust has contacts from SIFT who have a presence and they also have individuals who go to visit and do some work there, but this is on a lower scale than before. Our project continues because of our direct contact with local people, who are prepared to work on our behalf. There had to be a change of personnel organising the sourcing of goods and distributing it.  This rose after some problems in our contact's family.  The son Jordy has left home to live in Managua with his girlfriend and now has a good job, which is great after we supported him through university.  Jordy's father Marvin seems to be little evident in the...
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2018 achievements and plans

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Kids and Kayaks This organisation was born out of Jose Antonio's dream and the friendship we developed after he was my guide in Ometepe in 2015 and 2016. I obtained his services through Vapues Tours in 2015 and sought his expertise again in 2016 because he had been so helpful. He taught me about the life of the local people. Across the Atlantic ocean plans were formed through our shared passion to improve the lives of children in Urbaite and Santa Teresa on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. This became Kids and Kayaks ( and later The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes), a charity to improve the lives of local children's education and welfare. It is led by José Antonio Ruiz Hernandez in Nicaragua and Carolyn Susan Gibbs in England. In January 2018 I arrived with around £3000 donated by friends, family and local organisations. I brought a case of equipment and further equipment came in the containers of Peace and Hope, a registered charity also working in Nicara...
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The effect of the economic crisis

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 Work continues in Ometepe but on a less generous scale.  The economic downturn that we have experienced has had a significant effect on donations.  Few donations were received at Christmas this year and after holding two events, the coffee morning in July and the musical event in October, we did not have a Christmas event.  This was partially because of lack of energy on my part and partly because of being busy with a prospective move. Unfortunately the economy in Nicaragua has also been affected .  Prices are high and work is not easily available.  One of the young teachers we supported has been laid off.  Jordy has not yet got a teaching post despite the highest level of achievement but is seeing other opportunities through his work at a local tourist attraction.  His excellent English will be such an advantage.  Our aim was to improve prospects and this appears to be  the case for him. The October folk evening was great fun and raise...
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