The effect of the economic crisis

 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 back to the chapel again and we raised over £1000!  We had a lot of support from the chapel community.  I am hoping to find a similar group of people where I move to.  I shall miss them.

However since our last news we have continued to fund the internet payment and other goods for the Rafaela Central School.  We eventually provided some stationery but the second payment was not made until July.  Then in September we began to address the uniforms again for February when school recommences.  It is a long process of reviewing need, measuring up, ordering, then sorting and packing.  As usual Marvin and his family worked hard to do this in their home, often working late into the night!

In October a representative of an allied organisation SIFT took a trip to Ometepe.  He checked up on what the schools had received, talked with Marvin and sent a report of his findings with photos. and returned with a very long  list of what the schools wanted. It was great to have this information and the sense of some representation in person.  Shortly after his return his organisation too, was stopped from working in Nicaragua.

I have sifted the lists and sorted two to three priorities for each school, which we will tackle one by one as funds come in.

Meanwhile The Peace and Hope Trust offered to help and have provided good spread of stationery for both staff and pupils at the two poorest rural  schools, El Corozal and  Santa Cruz.  At present we are unable to provide this for the other schools, although we have provided some money towards cleaning materials.

With the start of the school year, uniforms are being provided for around 100 children across the nine schools. These are carefully chosen as the most needy families.  Some have to be handed out from Marvin's house as the children have not arrived at school because they have no uniform, no shoes or no exercise books.

  

Our one larger project has been that we have begun to provide materials for the construction of a stage area for Santa Teresa.  This is a rural school that has received little help from us in terms of development or repairs.  Funds were donated on the basis that there would be community help but this has been slow.  It is likely that the poor economic circumstances in the area mean parents have to work in the fields in order to feed their families and cannot afford to give up a day's wages to help despite their wish to support..