We are so happy to end this year by reporting on the completion of a beautiful new school for the community of Bilampi, and I am grateful to so many who made this happen. We’re grateful to the community who waited patiently for funding to come through, delayed by all of the new rules and reporting requirements, never losing trust in our commitment to this project, and working so hard as soon as materials were available.
We’re grateful to our team in Nicaragua, who worked with unwavering persistence, determination, and faith that all would work out. And we’re grateful to all of our sustaining supporters (YOU!) who trust us to put their investments to work.
There are so many benefits to these educational and water infrastructure projects beyond the obvious ones with which we begin (improved health, safety, access to education). In this new school, with multiple classrooms, the local ministry of education is adding the first three years of high school to the classes taught there, with additional teachers to support this higher level of learning. Children will no longer have to walk long distances to attend the high school in a neighboring community, and those whose parents didn’t consider it safe enough to walk will now have access to high school in their community. In the new year, we will begin our After-School Club in this community to help children catch up in their studies and set them up for success.
This work is slow and steady and so very necessary. In the words of Anne Frank, “How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly, changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!
Wishing you all peace and joy in the new year!
Selina
