The way things could have been...

I came across an interesting document the other day which I thought I could translate and post – according to Nicaragua’s FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional), these are the ten points which ensure political, economic and social democracy, and the fight against corruption (Source: National Commission of Social Movements).

1. The right for everyone to organisation, direct democracy for the people and the right to reject discrimination.
2. The guarantee of worthy employment, a fair wage and stability.
3. Healthcare of a high standard and free medication
4. Free public education of a high standard at a primary and secondary level, as well as specialised and university education.
5. Lower rates for water, electricity, telecommunications and transportation, whilst providing an efficient service where no basic services are privatised.
6. The legalisation of land and housing
7. Social security and welfare
8. The offer of peasant bonds and a development bank
9. Public safety in our neighbourhoods and regions
10. Natural resources and the environment are for all Nicaraguans to enjoy.

Two weeks to go...

In two weeks time I will go on my first delegation trip to Nicaragua with nonprofit organisation Dos Pueblos, the New York:Tipitapa, Nicaragua Sister City Project, and want to keep you all posted on my experiences and adventures whilst down there. At the same time I would like these postings (in an ideal world with lots of time) to be my consolidation point of all things Nicaraguan, from research and reports on our projects in the communities to travel anecdotes, recipes and anything else which comes to mind...

Let me tell you a bit about the organisation where I am volunteering. Dos Pueblos began as a solidarity movement 22 years ago, when the Reagan Administration launched a full scale war against the Sandinista government and the people of Nicaragua, imposing sanctions and funding the 'counter-revolutionary' army known as the Contras...more about this later. In 1987 a group of New Yorkers came together and founded the sub-committee of the Upper West Side Committee for Non-Intervention in Central America. Through contact with the Nicaraguan government, a sister relationship was born and has sustained itself through regular visits between the two communities. The work supports community development projects and sustained energy for making the world a better place through organizing at a local level, and the organisation has established feeding centers for families, health programmes, community gardens, a computer school, and provided different communities with access to drinking water - to name a few!

On the upcoming trip we are meeting up with a remarkable lady who has runs a community-based library in Tipitapa, gathering school supplies to set up a school and library in a community called Ciudadela San Martin, which will support children with disabilities and children who are forced to work and live in the rubbish dumps, and investigating other projects focused on women's empowerment and potable water. I cannot wait!

Am not sure how easy it will be to post things once in Tipitapa, but will do all I can to keep this updated on our progress!