Los Paquetes

Our second month was a great success! Despite the rising heat and humidy that is late April in Nicaragua, these amazing women were out for hours, buying, preparing and then handing out 56 food packets. I look at their exhausted smiles and wish I were there with them. Check out some of my favorite pictures from the day below and visit the Gallery page to see them all!

I was speaking with Katy the other day as we geared up for May's deliveries and she mentioned a few things I wanted to share. She was filling me in on the wind down of the tourist season in Nicaragua. With April ending, rain will be returning soon to Nicaragua and the very few tourists who had made it over this year will be packing up to leave. Local restaurants are already letting go of all but a skeletal staff and in some cases closing down all together. She mentioned that more and more men are lining the sea coast, or crowding onto small boats, attempting to fish for their dinners.  She wanted me to know she was grateful for our efforts and thankful to be a part of them, that she loves her country and is heart sick to see its people suffer. When I replied that ours seemed such a small effort in the face of such a looming hardship, she proceeded to tell me that there were still folks approaching her in the streets to thank her for the food packets they received a month ago...

We are so grateful for all the donors in April whose generous contributions have helped turn our vision into a reality. In Katy's words, "It is a lot of sweat but all excellent." as Lucia, Katy and volunteer Jogelis get back from the market with supplies and begin the process of making individual food packets. Our launch has been a success but the work is not over. Together with a driver, Lucia, Katy and Jogelis will deliver each packet to a family in need. We will continue to campaign, raising funds and awareness in the hopes that next month will be just as successful. Stay tuned for more photos and updates as the packets are delivered.