| Marielos |
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- Political Situation - Barrio - Semana Santa |
This section discusses the different programs in the El Recreo community project. The focus is on programs that are new or changing, and on those with which we are directly involved.
My involvement with the popular library project began in February. Before I was involved, the library was solely supervised by Maria Elena. With 40 or 50 people using the library daily, it was difficult for her to put new programs into place.
In addition to providing the standard book-loaning services, the library acts as a central location for many cultural and social events. It has a good stock of educational games, including chess, and is frequented by students practising their guitar skills.
At present, my efforts are focused on organizing the books, texts, and magazines for better accessibility, and on running some chess classes. I have scheduled two morning slots and two afternoon slots for chess classes every week, with about 10 young people coming to play and learn.
I am also looking for some titles that we feel are needed. The Ministry of Education has changed all the textbooks, so we need to buy those new books and we lack many novels and up-to-date encyclopedias. This month we sent off one application for funds to buy about 1000 books.
Another thing I have been trying to organise is a table tennis group. The problem thus far has been finding a space and the time to play. I hope to get everything straightened out this month though.
There are a variety of cultural programs in the community center. There is folkloric dancing, guitar and recorder lessons, and painting class. Each program has weekly classes where children and teenagers learn their respective crafts. Folkloric dancing is the traditional dancing, with traditional dress for both the men and women. It's very beautiful to watch, both in the barrio and in the National Theatre. The music programs are taught by volunteers, as are the others. One of the former students of the recorder program now teaches the new students and Yelba, the former teacher of the extra age education program, teaches guitar. Finally, there are two teachers for the painting class. Last year, the painting group was organised into a cooperative that attempts to sell their paintings, using the money to buy materials and sharing the profits amongst themselves.
Marielos (Maria de los Angeles) is the only nun in the project that I have yet to describe. She, unlike Hilda and Ana Maria, is not a member of the Sisters of Sion, but is considered an Associate of Sion, as she belongs to the secular institute of Immaculate Mary.
She does not work as much in the barrio, as she is the Librarian of the Central American Collegiate, here in Managua. As such, she is the breadwinner of the family, making a decent salary to contribute to the household costs. This is not to say that Marielos does not contribute to the community. She does a lot actually, especially in the development of programs and philosophy of the project. She is always around in general meetings and informal discussions with Ana Maria to help decide the direction of the projects.
Being a librarian, she has a special interest in the Popular Library program in the barrio, which she started about 4 years ago. This being her pet project, she is very happy that I am working there, trying to bring about some changes in the library so that it is a place that not only provides for the community, but also reaches out to the community.
Marielos is a lovable friend to all. Affectionately, we call each other "amor" or "amorcito/a". I will miss her greatly when I leave.
Well, the political situation is not improving from the point of view of the poor, especially with the extremely right-wing government that was elected. Unfortunately, it's not just one area, it's several. From children to squatters to street vendors to NGO's (non-governmental organisations), everyone is being affected.
For example, NGO's are being affected in several ways. Juan XXIII, the NGO that provides the medicine for the barrio's pharmacy at cost, may soon be unable to provide this service, due to new laws that will require even NGO's to pay duty on incoming goods. If this comes to pass, Juan XXIII will have to shut down the service it provides, which runs on the narrowest of margins to begin with.
Other new laws are being put into place that will restrict NGO's activities, especially left-wing NGO's, as decisions will be made by bureaucrats (almost all have been appointed by the new government). Many women's organisations and others fear that they will be so restricted they will be unable to continue the majority of their work or worse, completely shut down, for example, one of the organisations that provides food for the Nutrition program may be shut down, putting more pressure on us to provide food for the children.
The situation I described in an earlier report about the crackdown on "illegal" vending at traffic lights has extended to squatter shantytowns. The squatters have been forcibly evicted from their homes and had their possessions destroyed or stolen in the process. Their rights and dignity are being violated, with no chance to even look around for a new home.
A sad thing happened in the last month. The child of a community volunteer was killed. Lionel was walking home from a store with 2 of his little brothers, and they encountered a young gang (pandilleros) aged from maybe 8 to 16, mostly in the younger range. Lionel stopped to confront the gang so his brothers could run home. Lionel was backing away and fell. Then two of the gang beat him with a golf club, leaving him for dead. He survived three days in the hospital.
With the political situation as it is, it doesn't help the situation of poverty in the country, stressing the social fabric and leading to episodes of frustration and violence. It's very sad.
Semana Santa is the whole week before Easter Sunday, and many will be familiar with it in North America and Australia as well. It is the celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. One might imagine in this very religious and Catholic country that there would be scores of activities related to Semana Santa, but it seems that other than the usual Easter masses and prayers, there is not much at all. What is really a big thing, though, at this time of year, is vacationing at the beach. It seems that everyone (that can afford it) is going to the beach. (Me too!) In reality, the majority of people don't have vacations as such, it is more a matter of taking time off to relax during Semana Santa and Christmas. Wealthier people and teachers have vacations more like we do in North America.
As for me, I first spent 2 days at Dona Nubia's mother's house in the country where it was unsurprisingly poor. The roof is rusted thru in many places and the wood is very old. No onewho lives there works, but they do have lots of fruit and plantains. Nubia, I think, supports them. I was sad for them a bit, because it's such a hard life, not always knowing where the next meal will come from, but, of course, they gave me lots to eat.
Then I went to the beach (La Boquita) for 2 days along with the rest of Nicaragua. I enjoyed myself, mostly reading, swimming, and writing. But the beach was crowded. In the 500 meter stretch in front of the hotels/restaurants, there must have been several thousands of people. But, just north and south of this stretch there was hardly anyone. So, I spent my time relaxing on the north beach. Also, the party was non-stop. That night, I could hardly sleep for the music that was playing till 2:30 a.m. or so. (Others continued until 4 a.m.) On the bus back, I looked around and almost everyone, people standing included, were asleep. I must be getting old.