The Nicaraguan government has continued to tighten its grip on power by clamping down on organizations it considers potentially critical. Over 5,000 NGOs have been closed down since the political troubles began in 2018, along with considerable restrictions placed on media outlets, churches, and universities. Unfortunately, Nicaragua remains a difficult country to operate in, but we are still able to help.
We used the kind donations given to the Trust in memory of our former Chairman, Bill Gladstone, to buy desks for a small school outside Bluefields. When Richard Geary and I visited in May, this school was borrowing chairs, tables, and whiteboards from a local church. We were immediately able to provide stationery and new whiteboards, much to the delight of the teachers and pupils. We were also able to commission a local manufacturer to produce 36 new desks with chairs, which were delivered last month.
Before Richard and I returned to the UK we bought and distributed paint for four schools along with zinc sheeting to replace a clinic roof. I’m delighted to report that all the schools are now newly painted, and the clinic roof is complete and watertight.
We continue to fund a feeding programme allowing fifty children to have at least one nutritious meal a day.
One of the larger schools we support asked for a new computer, printer and overhead projector. This equipment will not only improve the school’s educational offerings to its pupils but will also allow the school to provide continual professional development sessions for the local teachers. The new equipment arrived in mid-October and the Headteacher is absolutely delighted. We are going to continue to monitor its usefulness and, if appropriate, provide further equipment to other schools in the future. Three of the school’s older classrooms are without electricity and are very dark in the afternoon. We are also going to fund the wiring needed for good lighting and some electrical sockets.
Our friend and colleague Margaret Storey contacted us with some very sad news. On 10th October a gas canister in the home of a family she has known for many years exploded. Two children were badly burnt. One daughter tragically received 96% burns and sadly died the following day. The explosion also blew out the windows and destroyed the roof and made the family homeless. Our friends from SIFT have paid for the house to be reroofed and we agreed to replacing and repairing the damaged windows. I’m delighted to say that family are now back in the house, and we received this letter of thanks.
Another container full of Peace & Hope and Belief in Action equipment has made it safely to Romania. Sixteen volunteers loaded the container at our Linton Warehouse on 19th October. Attached to this newsletter is a report from Tim Sharpe about his recent trip to Romania and how the donated equipment is used and distributed.
The Trust continues to fund a Physician in Kagando Hospital in Uganda for one day a week. This appointment has proved to be very worthwhile. The doctor’s presence provides reassurance to patients and the local community that there is senior cover in the hospital, provides guidance for the junior doctors and allows for a weekly training session.
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of James Smith last month. James was a great volunteer, friend and supporter of the Trust for many years. He pioneered the dental trips to Nicaragua, treating many people in the remote villages along the Rio Grande where no dental treatment was available. The living conditions on these trips were very basic and uncomfortable and the buildings used as clinics simple, but his team succeeded in creating a clean environment to operate in and managed to provide pain relief for large numbers of people. James made many dental trips to Nicaragua but eventually his health stopped him from travelling. By then he had inspired a generation of dentists, nurses and helpers to continue this work, which carries onto this day. (The latest dental trip was earlier in the summer. The team was funded by the Peace and Hope Trust and manned by Nicaraguan colleagues).
James was also a regular volunteer in the shop at Ross-On-Wye until just a few weeks ago. We will all miss him.
Will Hanks.