Student Spotlight

My name is Jesbel Janelis Peralta Ruiz. I am 23 years old and receive support from the Asla Foundation to attend college. I am so grateful because without that help I would not be able to get an education and make a better life for my family and myself. I have two boys, ages 5 years and 1 year old. Also, I have two sisters, ages 16 and 5. I teach primary school in a very rural community and attend the university in Condega on Saturdays.

The rural school where I teach is about two and half hours from Condega, so I stay at the school during the week and travel to Condega Saturday mornings. I have one year left to finish my degree in social sciences. I hope to teach in a high school.

It is very difficult to be a mother, study, and work all at the same time, but I am so thankful I have this opportunity to achieve my goals. The situation here in Nicaragua is very, very hard right now. There are no jobs and there is much poverty; I want to study so that I can help the children who are growing up so that they can become youth who have goals, and therefore better their own lives.

My family is from Santa Teresa and I do have a distant memory of Jessica, the director of Asla. I was about 6 or 7 and I remember she gave me a chocolate one day, so it is very meaningful that now, all these years later I am being helped through this foundation which she started, and I am able to better my life with the resources that are given.

Exciting new videos and photographs of our students in Nicaragua!

Nola has written us about an unexpected and joyful adventure she had recently with Gautam Lewis, a videographer and photographer who came to Condega to make a video about the Asla Foundation, and photograph our students and the communities where they live. Nola had never met him before, but she learned a bit about him before working with him.

I am so excited about these videos because they show our students, their homes and gives you a sense of their lives in Nicaragua. Below are some of Gautam’s photographs and you can watch the videos here:

Here is Nola’s story about her time with Gautam in April:

Gautam was born in India. When he was a young toddler he developed polio, and his parents, unable to care for him, abandoned him in the streets of Calcutta. Mother Teresa found him and brought him to the Ministry of Charities to be cared for there. At around age 8 he was adopted by an English woman, and he was educated in the New Zealand and England. He recently moved to Nicaragua and very generously helps non-profit organizations show off their amazing work through his professional photographs and videos. He offered to help the Asla Foundation capture the work it’s accomplishing in order to share it with more people. I found him to be a fascinating human being, and I gained so much by helping with this video for the Asla Foundation. 

Gautam concentrated on filming a few of our scholarship students. He filmed them at their schools and their homes, and some as they were walking to school. One student walks an hour and a half through the hills and crosses a river to get to her school. I really enjoyed going to the homes and talking with both the students and their parents. Many live in very rural settings, and we would drive as far as we could and then walk the rest of the way, carrying the filming equipment and sometimes crossing a creek or two. We would leave Condega by 7:30 am, return late in the day around 5:30 pm, eat, and then work on translations from Spanish to English. The days were very long and tiring, but in a very good way. Seeing the students in various settings, (their schools, their homes, their journeys to school), made me realize even more just how important the Asla Foundation scholarship program is to them. Asla helps with the lives, education, and futures of these youth. They have many obstacles in their path, but through Asla, they have the opportunity to get an education, be it high school or university, and therefore improving their lives and the lives of their families. I have included some photos of Gautam Lewis here in Condega and in the rural areas filming the students. Thank you all for supporting the Asla Foundation, and please tell a friend about Asla so that more students can receive the support that they need. 

Photos by Gautam Lewis in and around Condega, Nicaragua – April 2019

Nola Nackerud with some of our students

A few of our students with their teacher in their classroom

In the community of Santa Teresa

The community of Santa Teresa

The town of Condega

The town of Condega

One of our deaf college scholarship students recipients, Carlos Enoc Pineda

Mural in Condega

2019 Scholarship Recipients

March 2019 Newsletter

My name is Ana Rebeca Mendiola Sanchez. I am 26 years old and live in Solidaridad, a small town just outside of Condega. I am very grateful to have been helped by Asla for more than 4 years so that I could study, and am thrilled to share my news that I graduated in September with my degree in Renewable Energy Engineering. I studied at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua(UNAN) in Esteliand also did some course work at the UNAN branch in Managua.

I would never have been able to study and graduate without my scholarship because I only receive help from my mother. My family includes my mother, 2 brothers and a sister. My mother is not with my father, and she works very hard to support all of us. Recently she was ill for 5 months, and we are all thankful that she is better now.

Right now I do not have a job, but I am looking. The economy in Nicaragua is worse than ever due to the unrest here at this time. We all hope and pray that peace will return. I hope to work for a non-profit that provides renewable energy to communities in the rural areas where there is no electricity. I did my practicum with a non-profit that installed renewable energy in the poorest communities. We would go to these communities by 4 wheel drive vehicle and also by walking for an hour or more. In one community we installed solar panels and a battery for the school and also for each family so they would be able to have light at night. We also helped to make more energy-saving stoves for cooking which use less wood. In many of these rural communities there are few men because they leave to find work to help the families. They usually go to Costa Rica, Panama, or the U.S. The women often raise bees so they can sell honey to supplement what their husbands can send home. The families eat iguanas, rice, and beans most of the time. I so enjoyed working with these communities and hope that I can find a job in the area.

Thank you, Asla, for giving me this opportunity to better my life and that of my family.

February 2019 Newsletter

Those of us who sponsor students in Nicaragua continue to make a big difference in the lives of our students, their families and their communities. In 2018, a total of 99 students received a scholarship. Nineteen of them are continuing in high school, and one graduated from high school and is going on to university to study architecture. Five who graduated and received their high school diploma decided to go to work rather than continue on to university.

A total of 54 students are continuing with their university studies. They are studying in a variety of areas, including agriculture, nursing, engineering, teaching, mathematics, and English. AND — there are eleven new university graduates!

Only nine students, three in high school and six in university, left school before finishing the year and lost their scholarships. It’s important to remember that this past year the country was greatly affected by political disruptions and turmoil, which forced many people to leave the country to look for work or find work locally to support their families.

The fact that so many students are continuing their studies, or were able to graduate, is a tribute to the determination of our students.

We are completing the awarding of scholarships to students for the 2019 year. School begins in mid-February and finishes in mid-December. As soon as we have the final number of students we are supporting we’ll let you know.

Christmas and New Year in Nicaragua

The majority of the population in Nicaragua is Christian, so the holiday season is focused on Christian traditions. The Christmas holiday season usually starts on December 7 with the beginning of Purisima, which celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. On this day people go to friends’ houses and sing songs about the Virgin Mary and Christmas. In response, the families give out oranges, sugar canes, candy, plastic bowls, pieces of cooked squash with brown sugar on top, or other plastic utensils. Some places that are more well-to-do will even give out glass dishes. You can read Rick Steves’ description of his Purisma experience in Leon, Nicaragua at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-readlisten/nicaragua-pure-joy-in-a-humble-land.

On December 11-12, the communities celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe. There is a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe, and an evening mass on the 11th with songs and celebration. On the 12th there is mass again at 1pm. That evening there is a procession through the streets with a statue of the Virgin, and the people dress in festive traditional clothes and dance along.

During the holiday season, town central parks are decorated with lights and the nativity scene. Families celebrate together on Christmas and New Years. New Years Eve ends with lots of firecrackers and fireworks. There is a tradition where some families make a stuffed person out of old clothes, put a hat and shoes on it, and fill it with firecrackers. It sits by their house until midnight and then is lit in the streets-- the firecrackers go wild! The fireworks and burning of the stuffed person signify the old year is gone.

Success Story about one of our recent Graduates!

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Abel Roque at work as a nurse in Condega

My name is Abel Enrique Roque.  I have been fortunate enough to have had a scholarship through Asla for the past four years of college, graduating in 2018 I am 28 years old, the youngest of seven children, and am from a small community in the hills, 17km (10.5 miles) outside of Condega called Peñasco, about an hour from Condega by bus. I went to primary school in Peñasco and high school in Condega.  Many people thought I would not go on to high school or university because I was born with one leg shorter than the other which led to some bullying by other kids, but I have persevered to have a career and help others. My parents divorced when I was one year old. My mother worked hard for all of us so having the scholarship from Asla was very important to our family.  

I studied nursing at Juana Maria University in La Trinidad, about an hour and a half from Condega, and graduated in September 2018. The hospital there donated a house where students could stay. For each medical specialization we had practicums in various hospitals in the area. I would visit my family every 8 days.

I was so happy when I was able to obtain a job in October at Ana Maria Lopez hospital here in Condega.  We have had one main hospital and clinic for many years, but now we also have small clinics in different parts of town to help all the people who live in Condega and surrounding communities. Each clinic has a doctor and three nurses. I am one of the nurses who takes care of people from two neighborhoods and one community.  Usually Mondays and Wednesdays people come to the clinic for various health reasons.  Tuesdays and Thursdays we go to our assigned neighborhoods and the community to check on people who might need to go to the clinic but can’t travel to Condega without assistance.  If they need more help they are sent to the main hospital or clinic for more follow through. Fridays are usually half a day at our small clinic and then we meet at the hospital with supervisors.  I am very lucky because in my small clinic there are two boarding rooms, so I am able to stay in one; a doctor who lives in Esteli or another town can stay in the other.

My family is very happy that I have a job, and I do love my work. I love helping people who need my support. Again, I am so thankful and grateful for the opportunity that I was given by my sponsors through Asla.  Thank you so very much.

Nicaragua Scholarship Students Contribute through Community Service

NICARAGUA STUDENTS

All of the Nicaragua scholarship students receiving support from sponsors through the Asla Foundation must participate in community service work. We asked three of them to tell us about their work, both what they are doing and how it has impacted them. We think the work they are doing is significant to their communities but also to their growth as individuals. Below are their stories, along with photos of the students. Our support of educational opportunities for these young people is transforming lives and communities!

My name is Maria del Carmen Gonzalez. I am 21 years old and studying nursing at Martin Lutero Universidad. I have been receiving help from the Asla Foundation for 6 years and I am so grateful that I can study to be a nurse. For my community service I plant trees for my community. I have planted palmera and marajito, sometimes fruit trees such as mango. I also work with some of the newer students to help plant in our community of San Pedro de Pire. It really helps our community because many people use wood to cook so it is important to replant to help with erosion. Sometimes we plant near the church or the school or near the river. We ask the people where it is most needed. It is so important to take care of our environment and to think of our future generations.

My name is Cristhel Paola Gonzalez and I am in my first year of high school. I study on Saturdays in Condega which is about an hour away from my community, San Pedro de Pire. I am new to the community so one of the other older students has invited me to help with planting trees in our community. I am very grateful to her because I have learned a great deal and I love to help my community. I am planting palmeras near my house and near the school. It is a plant that is strong and usually does well in our environment. It is very important to help our environment and I know that trees help the cycle of life to continue. I am very grateful for the help from the Asla Foundation.

My name is Erick Obed Diaz. I have been receiving help from the Asla Foundation for more than 5 years and I am so grateful to my sponsors. I will be graduating in September with a degree in agricultural engineering, and I am very excited. For many years I planted trees for my community service or helped with animals in the rural areas, but this year I decided to help tutor some students, one in particular, not only in his studies, but also as a friend. It is very rewarding because the student who I help is deaf and I have learned a great deal. We work usually weekly and I am lucky to have the help of an interpreter so we can communicate better.

We all must help each other to make a better world.

Condega, Nicaragua

For this month’s newsletter article, Nola tells us about Condega, the main town in the rural area of Pire where most of our scholarship students live.

The population of Condega itself is about 7,000-8,000, but the region of Pire includes many surrounding smaller villages and communities which makes the total population close to 30,000 people. Most people who live in the area are farmers and work very hard growing beans and corn to support their families.

Condega is the center of Pire where most of the students and their families come to buy supplies and food. The city has a central park, baseball stadium, soccer field, a few restaurants, and a rather new grocery store. Previously people would go to their smaller neighborhood family owned stores, but more people are travelling into Condega to buy what they need. Condega also has several internet cafes where the students come from their rural communities to do homework and research for their studies. Most of the people here are Catholic, and there is a Catholic church near the central park; with the growth of the area a new Catholic church has been built to serve the smaller communities on the northern and eastern areas of the town. There are also other small churches of various religions, including Assembly of God, Pentecostal, Baptist, and Jehovah Witness.

Condega is called the Land of the Potters and is known for pottery. In our museum there are many old pottery artifacts that have been excavated in the area. A replica of one is in our main park and also is the symbol for Condega – see the photo below of the large footed bowl. There is a woman’s pottery group in a neighboring community of Ducuali Grande that makes beautiful pottery and is quite famous. We also have an airplane park with an actual plane which was shot down during the civil war and dragged up from the river. Citizens have even built a small tower to walk up to and gaze at the lovely view of Condega and the surrounding area.

I could go on and on, but this is a brief description to share with you.

Come and visit!

Update

This update is coming to you a little late, as we wanted to report on the current political situation in Nicaragua. But there is still good news to report about our Nicaragua scholarship students. In December, the end of the 2017 school year, 16 students graduated! Seven of them graduated from high school and went on to college, and nine graduated from college with their degrees in education, business administration, engineering, and nursing. A total of one-hundred scholarship students started back to school this February, the month that schools begin in Nicaragua. Eighty-five of these students are returning scholars; because of sponsors’ generosity, we are able to fund an additional 15 new students this year. Of the 100 students, 72 are attending College/University, and 28 are enrolled in high school. 

Nola Scholarship Students

Nola hosted a celebratory get-together for the scholarship students in early March. We've included a couple of photos from the event.

Important Updates

This month's post comes to us from Nola Nackerud, one of our coordinators living in Condega, Nicaragua.

This is a sad article to write, but it is important for you to know what is happening here in Nicaragua. There has been turmoil since April 18th when protestors in cities across Nicaragua began demonstrations mainly against the President, Daniel Ortega, and Vice President, Rosario Murillo (who is his wife). The people began protesting against the decree of social security reforms that increased taxes and decreased benefits. After five days of unrest in which nearly 30 people were killed, Ortega announced the cancellation of the reforms. However, the opposition has grown to denounce Ortega and demand his resignation, becoming one of the largest protests in his government's history and the deadliest civil conflict since the end of the Nicaraguan Revolution. As of June 5th, 113 people have been killed, many wounded and some disappearances. There are demonstrations and roadblocks all over the country. The people want democracy and are not giving up until it happens. It seems as though Ortega is becoming what he once fought against. Many call him a dictator and Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, has been torn apart as has the city of Masaya. The worst places are Managua, Masaya, and Leon, but there is violence all over the country. The students that you help through the Asla Foundation have been affected by this by the closings of some high schools and universities for periods of time. Up in the north where we are it is much calmer than in the Managua area. The students here have missed some classes in the universities in Esteli, but the universities in Managua are closed for longer periods. If you go online you can read more and see more photos and or videos of the situation. Useful websites are: Tico Times, Wikipedia, and Aljazeera, and here is a recent article:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/nicaragua-protests-

180530130717018.html

Here in Condega the marches have been all calm and peaceful with people talking about peace and democracy and prayer for our country. Please say a prayer for Nicaragua, our students and all its people.

Photos of the other 4 are here in Condega with many students including Asla ones

Large, peaceful protest in the capital, Managua