The Forgotten Children of the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes

We were pleased to see how much joy the stage has given to pupils in El Corozal.  They have used it to the full, during the recent three days of celebrations for independence. Pupils in Rafaela Herrera, also undertook dance and music presentations and their band used the instruments purchase with the help of Billingshurst Rotary Club. Sylvia has begun sorting and packing the uniforms we have purchased for the schools.  This is a long and complicated task with around 100 uniforms to pack and collate.  We purchased them early this year as elections take place in November and sometimes there is a certain amount of public activities which prevents the shopkeeper going to the capital city. These are the latrines that we repaired at the secondary school.  Some of the students had approached Marvin and the teachers and headteacher too to say that it had become embarrassing for the teenage girls to use the facilities in the state they were in.  

 During these months we have continued to support several schools on Ometepe, whilst also continuing with payment of the monthly allowance for internet and sundries to Rafaela Herrera. It was very important to me tio address the sanitary facilities ibn all the schools where we identified deficiencies.  We still have more to do. El Corozal needs new doors on their latrines and we need to review the handwashing facilities in all schools.  I am also aware that we have done nothing for Santa Teresa and Los Ramos recently. Many items have been packed for sending to all of our schools on Ometepe via Peace and Hope but Nicaraguan government restrictions are delaying transportation. The grand opening of the staging area at El Corozal on 2nd July.  This is a remote and rural community which is very poor;  for some time they had dreamed of a staging area for their cultural events and parental meetings.  Marvin is cutting the ribbon, before the stage is put to use wit...

  The primary school football team are kitted out in the uniforms which were the first item we bought for them four years ago.  They have cared for it well and it is sill in use.  The children have got through to the first stage of the tournament . Marvin and Ervin collecting the damaged chairs for repair from the secondary school and Tilgue.  They are pedalling in the hot sun using their bicycles and carts behind.  I can't believe how hard they are prepared to work sometimes.  Three stages of the new latrines at Sintiope. Cleaning materials purchased and distributed to all eight schools.  The teachers, parents and children clean the school with particular effort after the holidays.  The atmosphere is very dusty with the volcanic dust and many rooms have no windows or they do not seal. They new latrines at Rafaela Herrera.

 We are pleased to have been able to distribute uniforms to nearly 100 children across the eight schools.  Marvin, Sylvia and family have diligently made brown paper bags so as to avoid the plastic I have deterred them from using!  What dedication.  Marvin and Jordy have sometimes Sylvia too, have visited the schools to ensure all were distributed;  those that were not collected in school were retained at his home for collection.  From each school, where wifi  and signal permitted, a video call was made so that I could share in the proceedings.  It was almost as if I was there! Instituto Secundario Tigue Sintiope Santa Teresa and Los Ramos Children collecting from Marvin's house. Tilgue Shoes for children at El Corozal Rafael Herrera We have also distributed a broom, mop and rake to all teachers who have to clean and take care of the school with the help of pupils and parents.  There is normally a big clean up before term starts, as, due to t...