Near… Far…

Near… Far…the sewing center has been our most challenging project. Getting the material to the village by all means possible, albeit  horse, oxen, 4x4, by foot by sweat ,some blood but mostly sweat and brute force. I am happy to report the sewing center is 85% complete.

The project went into suspension due to a land dispute between the corporativa that donated the land and an outside force claiming the Escameca Valley and the land that we built the school, church and now the sewing center is theirs.

It’s a battle between two parties that has been going on for more than 15 years, of which WKF is not a part of. Needless to say, I had to testify on behalf of WKF that the school,

teacher’s house,  church and sewing center  is on land donated by the Grando family. The contesters say the land is theirs and not of that of the Grandos.   The contesters are of the Sandinista party and appear to be trying to claim property from old unwritten reforms.  The court order appears to be in the favor of the village ,therefore we should be able to continue construction again with support of the village and mayor’s office.

Believe me, Nicaraguan land issues is not an easy matter.   The success of this first sewing center is imperative as It can be a model to help other villages scratch their way out of poverty.

And so we will stay the course with vigor, positive energy and goodness with a target opening date of Dec 25th 2009.

OTHER WKF NEWS

Felix received his new foot brace from the USA thanks to coordinated efforts of Macy Lawrence and Dr. Hess of Seattle WA. We also managed to deliver a new prosthesis for Felix’s left leg. The prosthesis fits well but the foot brace due to Felix’s painful unhealed appendage is not taking well. It is heart breaking. A young man’s future is at stake. In a nut shell, Felix needs surgery on the foot if he is ever to walk on his own. The surgery he requires is not available in Nicaragua.

A few years ago, WKF managed to get Felix a passport and 3 month tourist visa to go to the USA for surgery.

Felix spent 3 months in Vermont/ NH. He was young, frightened and did not want to go through with the surgery. Now 5 years later he regrets his decision for chickening out. Regrets… we all have a few…”but then again…too few to mention.” ( Frank Sinatra)

And now today at this end of 2009, Felix is ready to have surgery.  I would like to appeal to friends in Canada on Felix’s behalf to once and for all get this young intelligent man standing on his own two feet.  He has made an tremendous effort to learn English and can be a great asset to his native Nicaragua. Feliz deserves a second chance.

Let us stay in touch on this subject.

Take care for now. More news to follow.

Capt Eric in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua