So it's been a little while since I have been back in old Canada land and I have managed to raise a few dollars to buy my kids in the school "Jose de La Cruz Mena" school supplies this coming year. A few of my Canadian friends joined me last Sunday for a small breakfast to raise money for my kids. We made about 125.00. The turn out wasn't fabulous but those of my friends who I can always count on, showed up with bells on! Thank you for caring. It turns out I can make a pretty mean breakfast.
The school year in Nicaragua commences at the beginning of February so I am hoping to have atleast 2500 dollars to make our dream a reality. So far we have about 1000 and I will continue to politely ask people if they would enjoy helping my cause! I always have to remind everyone that each of your hard earned dollars goes straight to the kids, we don't take a cent. I would like to be able to supply about 500 children with adequate school supplies which will take the economic burden off their parents. The sad truth is that most of these kids would go to school without anything at all. I want to to remind people that Nicaragua is considered to be the second poorest country to Haiti in the Americas. If you would like to read more about the situation in Nicaragua check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1225218.stm?lid=nicaragua&lpos=day_txt_poorest-country
The picture I posted is one of my favorite kids in Nicaragua named Oscar. He has been apart of the program at the spanish school I attended "Casa Xalteva" for about 3 years now. Juan Carlos whom I share this project with, met him a few years back when he was looking for water to drink. Juan Carlos invited him to join the program at Casa Xalteva where he could receive free schooling, meals, and a warm place to put his head at night. Oscar comes from a loving home that just simply could not afford to take care of his important needs. Casa Xalteva really inspired me to help other kids in other communities such as El Pantanal, where the situation is even more dire. If you are interested in studying spanish abroad, I highly reccommend Casa Xalteva. They not only provide great instruction & great laughs, but also some of your money goes towards helping street boys. For more information check out their website at: http://www.casaxalteva.com/
I love Oscar even though he tries to convince me on a regular basis that I am a dirty gringa (that doesn't bathe.) We have a good laugh together.
Christmas is coming up and I hope that people think about how overboard we can all get with the consumerism. We have everything we need in our society...ipods, iphones, wees..etc. It's actually pretty sick. I hope you think about doing something a little bit more meaningful whether it is donating to a local charity or helping my kids in Nicaragua. As Gandhi put it..."Be the Change you Wish to See in the World." It's just that easy.
I am very inspired by other people who are helping out in other ways. My good and long term friend Tara fell in love with the community of Gulu in Uganda, Africa. She is now involved with her own project situated out of Montreal raising funds to provide basic health care to children. For information regarding this project please email me at: puedenreir@gmail.com.
I would also like to thank family friends who have kindly donated money to my cause. Thank you to Michelle Pelland & Jim + Linda Millala for your kind contributions.
Muchas Gracias.
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