Update from Nicaragua – Updated by Nelson Palacios

2/25/2009

 

On Feb. 4 Rainbow Network’s Vice President of Operations, David McCready, issued an update on the situation in Nicaragua. That update was posted to our website at www.rainbownetwork.org.

 

Nelson Palacios, Nicaraguan National Director, has provided some information regarding the progress of some of David’s earlier points for the benefit of our partners in the USA.

 

• David Wrote: “Under the direction of Keith Jaspers, president and founder of The Rainbow Network, and Nelson Palacios, national director, we have instituted a rationing program that is impacting, or will soon impact, the majority of our nutrition centers. We are hopeful that this will be a temporary, stopgap type measure and that we can resume normal operations as funding allows. In some cases, this will mean closing of nutrition centers. “
  • Nelson’s Update: “Throughout the months of February, March, and April 2009 we will be able to serve a total of 3,769 children a meal 5 days per week. This is a reduction from around 14,000 in January. We have reduced the number of nutrition centers operating from 194 to 104; those 104 centers are located in 72 of the 124 villages that Rainbow Network serves. “

 

• David Wrote: “We continue to monitor the Nicaraguan government’s commitment to supply food to most schools during the school year. The 2009 academic year started this week. This is not a new program but one that has shown to be of great benefit in some areas of the country because of consistency, but unreliable in other areas where we serve the poor. Our experience in 2008 has shown that this program has helped with some food staples but has not met all of the basic needs even in areas where delivery has been fairly reliable. We are concerned that with the financial stress on the government to meet its basic needs, this program could be reduced or discontinued.”
  • Nelson’s Update: “The school year began this month. Thus far, the government has indeed delivered food as promised to those children attending school. Children in government schools are eating. This program will run the academic year, ending in November. This program does not reach those not in government schools; children 0 to 6 years old and adults.
  • We have made purchasing agreements and arrangements to feed an additional 2,000 children in the 0 to 6 years old age range in 51 additional communities. We will act on this arrangement as soon as funds are available to do so.”

 

• Additional Comment From Nelson:
  • “We are currently in the process here in Nicaragua, as I am sure you are in the USA, of inviting our partners to help us celebrate serving 25 million meals to the hungry. It is my prayer that we will be able to increase our feeding efforts again soon, crafting them around the new reality of the school food program. But despite my current disappointment over the children going hungry, 25 million meals is a miracle worth celebrating! We look forward to the April celebration. May God grant us the courage and wisdom to provide for these children.”