January 2025 update

 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 family so it is Sylvia who works assiduously for the project.  In order to thank her, I send funds to support her parents (there is no welfare or pension for them).  This does not come from fundraising.  I also send a gift at Christmas to enable the family to have  few extras.  I am no longer able to visit because of the limitations of my health and cost of travel insurance, but I hope to go one more time to see the schools.  Many of the personnel have changed and we give higher priority to the rural primary schools.  There is less money raised now than in our heyday.  I haven't organised any big events here in the Highlands but that may be possible in the future.  We have relied on donations, both occasional and regular to gather funds and continue with essential work.  Key costs are cleaning materials, uniforms, stationery for teachers and pupils, small one off costs for repairs, transport etc.  We no longer support the internet project due to some government regulations and new buildings and resources at the secondary school. We made a decision to no longer purchase ICT materials because of the cost of maintenance and repair.

If you are not yet one of our regular supporters, we would welcome that commitment.  Just £5 a month will make a difference.  you can sign up through the Peace and Hope site here  

In the messages section indicate this is for GIBBS OMETEPE PROJECT  and let me know so I can liaise with them to ensure the funds come to us.

So here are some of the things that have been happening.

Repairs and painting at Sintiope.

Purchase of school uniforms for 100 children.  Sylvia has made brown paper carrier bags to deliver them at the start of the school year 2025.

I have attended a number of sessions of local community markets, raising funds wherever I could.  I have sold several paintings at exhibitions too.

                A speaker was purchase to replace one that was broken and no longer repairable.

Some of the poorest children received stationery to use when they attended school.

Teachers received stationery for their work in schools early in 2024

Children received their uniforms in early 2024 at the start of the school term.

We provided materials for the construction of a partition to split a large room into two classrooms at Tilgue school.

A number of small payments were made for printer cartridges, transport to events, school shoes for a child whose parents couldn't afford them.