Making a WORLD of Difference

Our first try at Nica breakfast!

Today (Saturday 6/25/11) marks one week in Nicaragua.  Viva Nica!

We woke up and decided to cook our own breakfast.  We'd bought some items from the market (it will have its own blog) yesterday on the way back from the volcano.  We purchased eggs, cheese, homemade butter (mantaquilla), peppers, and an onion.  We were just missing the gallo de pinto (rice and beans) - but the lady downstairs gave us some! 

Allan was to meet us at 10:00 to go look at a house that is a "really good deal" at 10 - today he was in our room by 9:30.  We goofed around for over an hour - he looked at photos of our family and life in Strasburg USA.  He can't imagine what it feels like to be in weather below freezing (and don't mention that freezing to him is 32* to us).

He saw a photo of Michael snowmobiling and is afraid to see that much snow in one place.  He said if he was there he could fit "in the oven to sleep".

We headed out - but soon hit torrential rain.  Marci and Allan waited it out, while I went to get jackets and an umbrella.  Did I mention that it is the rainy season?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD0zimudXvk

Anyway, I got the stuff and found Marci and Allan in the Cathedral.  Those who know me well - know that I have some amazing luck.  In fact, I've been dubbed 'Forest Gump' for all the places I happen to be and people I happen to meet.  What can I say.  When I entered the church, they were having a VERY special service to celebrate the bishop's fifty year anniversary in the church.  All of the rich and famous from Nicaragua were present, and we took photos as they entered a house across the plaza for a feast.  Before the service was over though - we stood at the front of the church with the sick and poor (they were waiting for the service to get over because they feed the poor on Saturday's).  We watched the kids play and took photos.  One woman secretly tried to get me to pay her for sex so she could feed her four children.  So sad....

A badly burned woman (by her husband) now begs

After this we went to a very special place.  Allan picked it out just for Marci.  It is called Tio Antonio Centro Social (Uncle Anthony's Social Center).  www.tioantonio.org

Anthony is from Madrid Spain.  He is a chef by profession, and several years ago he moved to Granada to open his own restaurant.  He bought a large colonial property and started his dream.  Soon though, he found that he needed greater income to get things going, so he opened his large property to US tourists.  He saved some of the rooms for the handicapped youth of Nicaragua, whom he'd noticed were abandoned and usually on the streets begging.

Before long, the tourists were busy smoking marijuana and bringing prostitutes in at all hours.  He'd kick them out, but lose money on every deal.  Eventually, the tourists wanted to go somewhere more willing to allow their pleasures, and Anotonio wanted more room for the downtrodden.

Antonio

He gave up on his restaurant, found some friends who were willing to donate some capital, and he started the Center (the kids call him uncle (or Tio) thus, the name). 

Antonio realized that helping and feeding the kids was not enough.  He saw that when they begged for money, they soon spent it (often on drugs, paint to sniff, or other such vices) so he decided to teach them a trade.  This enabled them to earn their own money and also have pride in their work - it would lift them up.  And it did!

Impaired workers making hammocks

Antonio has 38 workers.  Most are hearing or speaking impaired.  He had tried to get them jobs in restaurants in his early days, but no one would hire them.  Now they work in his 'factory' making hammocks (Nicaragua is known for this).  These are sold from between $30 - $60.  All of the money goes back into the Center (which takes between $1800 - $5000 per month to feed, employ, and operate).  On Mondays, Anotnio has a pediatrician who comes in and gives free medical service.  He says that infant formula is one of the biggest needs then (one can of formula costs $C150 and an average family makes a little over twice that per week).

Marci was nervous, but asked Antonio how he lets people know that he is not running a 'sweat shop' (profiting from the kid's labor).  Antonio said it was a very good question.  He said that you could ask any kid on the street (they all know him) and also contact the Minister of Children (social services) who can vouch for his work.  He also told Marci that she was welcome at any time, and he would like her to go through his books, $C by $C. 

I asked Antonio if he accepted gifts.  He said yes, but was hesitant.  I asked him to explain.  He said that he would much prefer US citizens to buy hammocks so that the kids would have pride and know that they were a part of earning enough to keep things going.  He said that is one of the most important parts of what makes the center work.  The kids earn money, buy things, and then show other beggars on the street, who then come to the center.  Antonio has put three Nica children through college.

If you ever want to get a nice gift, or even buy a cheap item for your patio, think about sending $25 to Tio Antonio.  You'll get a hand made treasure and make a world of difference.  www.tioantonio.org

Here are some other views from Granada today....  (PS - If there is anything you like - or would like to know more about, please comment!)

A boy waiting for food in front of the church

He looks like he is begging - but this was his pose for me

How trash is collected

A woman waits for Saturday food