The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

The general situation In September, the road blocks have been removed and some economic activity is returning to a more normal state.  However the period has left a state of lawlessness meaning that governments are still advising against travel.  Professional who have not supported the government are losing their work because of their deemed lack of loyalty. So as yet I can make no plans to return although I am able to send funds to the school. the crisis is deepening with increased food shortages and lack of petrol. BBC latest news Nicaragua is already one of the poorest countries in the Western world with huge undernourishment and low incomes. Economic circumstances of Nicaragua The situation in the country and particularity in Ometepe Island has become desperate. Reports suggest that $200,000,000 has been lost to the economy. Tourism has hit rock bottom so noone has work and many people are going to Costa Rica or USA in search of asylum or work. This results...

The village magazine kindly placed an article about my work in their May 2018 issue, see link below. Village Tweet p.52 Support is being given by the Unitarian Chapel Billingshurst who are allowing us to use their building for fundraising. Chapel newsletter August news Our new pamphlet  is now ready with the story of the project and information about Peace and Hope's help for our project.

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