The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

Having returned home, the new leaflet has been produced and is being distributed with letters of thanks. 2018 Achievement and Plans A simple post on face book has generated a lot of interest and feedback and preschool toys are being collected ready to take to Peace and Hope event in Herefordshire for their next shipment of containers.  Further uniforms are also coming in. Many thanks to Jill for knitting baby clothes which will be sent out to Dr Sandra Villagra who works for SIFT. Little comments like this keep me going! Just thought I'd say what an amazing thing your do. As a mum of two little ones a cause like this touches my heart and the work you are doing is so important I would be very happy to be involved in whatever way I can. I’ve just read your article in the Billingshurst local mag, and was inspired to write to you.  I really admire the work you are doing.  Your concentration on an individual community like this appeals to me because ...

At long last the Peace and Hope delivery arrived. All the boxes were safely delivered and opened yesterday, but there was no posh green chair for Amada. I wonder where that went? Jose was invited to the school to open and sort the boxes and everyone seemed suitably happy.

Since I have left Ometepe the school has continued to distribute the little dresses that Esther made and more if the polo shirts. The preschool children have now received their blocks and plays on, so lots of happy faces. But much more needed.

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...

Album of experiences on Ometepe Jan/Feb 2018

   I didn't quite know what to expect, just that the school had arranged a farewell today. So I went by taxi from the hotel dropped off my motorcycle gear at Jordy's families house and met José and his family. The speakers were in use, music was coming from the pavilion and children were gathering. Amada and Mayella were organising papers and receipts for me. Then Uriel arrived with food. I was glad I hadn't eaten much breakfast. I was taken into the hall where children, teachers and parents were gathered. It was less formal than at home and there was a certain amount of movement and noise. There was a dance by teachers, then children, then a very emotional poetry recitation where I was crowned with a coronet! And the inevitable speech.  I received a certificate in the name of the education system, all of which gives a bit more clout to our project and will hopefully help in the future. The teacher from the satellite school brought a receipt and thanks fo...

On Saturday I moved to La Omaja, the idea having been to chill for a couple of days before my travels. However plans here are not made ahead as I have discovered. If you want an event,  you invite people or put the word out and everyone turns up. So on Friday the school told me they had to do a farewell activity and it was going to be  Monday, actually quite long term planning.  I just love this spontaneity. So yesterday I transferred to La  Omaja and was greeted by the young men I remember from last time and enjoyed those heavenly views from before. Weather was a bit unpredictable so I passed the afternoon relaxing and painting.  In the evening I did my best to prepare for an 18th birthday party at a local restaurant. My top was a bit crumpled so I first put it out in the sun then in the bathroom and then decided that in the dark it would be passable and if not no one here would be rude enough to comment. I asked the hotel if it was safe to walk to ...