We have operated in Nicaragua through a partner organisation, Centro Cosecha (Harvest Centre), which employs our staff and pays their taxes. The Nicaraguan government has now closed Centro Cosecha, along with almost 300 others. There is no hint of misconduct on our part. Nor is there any recourse.

We are beginning the sad task of winding up our activities in Nicaragua – including Casa Rahab, our shelter for vulnerable girls – and paying off our staff. This is a distressing, expensive and difficult task, and we also have some property and some contracts to sort out. We will wait for an opportunity to re-commence our work there. In the meantime, we will expand our activities in other countries.

We remain proud of what we have achieved in Nicaragua, where we have made strong relationships and many warm friendships, which we hope will allow us to find ways of continuing to help.