Uniforms for 2022 new school year.

 This year planning began well ahead.  Elections were to take place in November 2021, and just in case there were any political activities, preventing the collection of uniforms from Managua, or indeed causing big price rises, we began planning in September.






As usual Marvin, Jordy and Sylvia worked in their house, storing, then sorting the uniform, checking that everything had arrived and matching to their list of children and sizes.  Jordy and Sylvia made environmentally friendly packages, tying each set with string, following the example I had set on my last trip.


The uniforms were finally distributed in January 2022, at the start of the school year.  Most schools attempted a video call so that I could be present virtually.  There were many smiles, waves and thank yous from the children and their parents.








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2018 achievements and plans

Image
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
Read more

The effect of the economic crisis

Image
 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 raised around £500. The July sale brought everyone bac
Read more

Visiting Rafaela Herrera.

Image
To read about the origins of the project, click here. Origins of the project Sunday was spent with José's extended family at the beach at Santa Teresa. There was lots of relaxing, chatting, a BBS and some fishing, and the children from the family received their uniforms. There are many private thank you's but also people tell me their current aspirations and I know they hope for more help. I don't jump in quickly but put the information aside for later. On Monday I met the new head teacher Hermers Luisi. I was able to explain the background to the project and the principles as I see them, and to talk about how it could be managed with accountability to donors. We agreed that everything provided was for all the staff, and chikdren and where appropriate should be accessed by the community. I was impressed by his efficient and pro active stance. He had already begun to clean up the office and out of his own money, and with his family's help was dividi
Read more