The Poor Among the Poor

   I mentioned in Education & Empowerment, that we were expanding our Adopt-a-Student program to La Isla and Nuevo Amanecer. As a part of this expansion, I have been in Nuevo Amanecer visiting homes of all of the children who are a part of Sunday school program at our church plant there.
  I loved climbing onto a bicycle and riding through the rice fields and village streets in order to arrive at the homes of the children (the ride through Nuevo Amanecer- pictured right). It is a beautiful ride and leads us to the homes of even more beautiful children. I love this part of my job!
  I began walking through the streets from house to house surrounded by the precious children of Nuevo Amanecer (like Esling holding on to my shirt as we walk through the streets- pictured left) making my way to each home. All of my home visits begin by sitting and talking with the children and their families about their home situations, school, likes, and their dreams for the future. I love hearing them dream and I long to see their dreams become reality!! During each home visit, I have been photographing the kids in their doorway and sitting on their bed. This has allowed me to really see how the children are living.
   We live in a very impoverished area. Nicaragua is the 2nd poorest nation in the western hemisphere (after Haiti) and we live in an extremely poor part of the country. I am growing accustomed to seeing children living in poverty. I am no longer shocked to enter a home constructed of only sticks and sheets of plastic. I am more surprised when I see a home that has separate rooms than I am to see all of the family sleeping in one large room.
   However, I came across one family whose home life stopped me in my tracks- the poor among the poor…

   I first talked with Marlon (pictured below right in front of his home). He is 12 years old. Marlon told me that he had dropped out of school after 2nd grade, but wanted desperately to return. His mom can’t afford to send him or his brothers to school. We talked about his dreams for the future. Marlon dreams of becoming a fire fighter.
   When it came time to take photos of him in his home, Marlon led me to small, but nicely kept home. He sat down on the bed for the first photo and then stood proudly by the door smiling as I snapped the second photo. I was about to leave for the next home when Marlon’s aunt stopped me. “That’s not where he lives.” I looked at Marlon and he stared shyly at the ground. His aunt went on to explain that Marlon was embarrassed to show me where his family lived because of the poor condition of their house.
   I smiled at Marlon and assured him that he didn’t need to be embarrassed, but I would really like to see where he lives. He slowly walked me to his home. He opened the door and I couldn’t believe my eyes. They literally have NOTHING. There was one small cot in the center of the room; all three boys told me that this is their bed. I don’t know how it’s even possible that they can all fit on this tiny bed. The only other furniture in the entire house is a broken bed frame (where I am guessing his mother sleeps) and a chair whose seat contains all of their possessions (maybe 5 or 6 outfits between the four of them). Everywhere you look there are piles of dirt and rusted tin. There is no light or electricity. No food. No dishes. No blankets or pillows. I could hold in my arms everything that the family owns. It is definitely the most-dire financial situation that I have seen here in Nicaragua.
   I talked with the boys’ aunt to find out why the family is living in such extreme poverty. The three boys live with a single mom. Their mom is unable to provide for the family because she has a mental disability. Nicaragua as a country doesn’t have many educational or job opportunities for those with physical or mental disabilities. She is left unable to provide for her three boys. The family only survives from help they receive from their extended family. 

    David (pictured above left) is Marlon’s younger brother. He is eight years old. He stopped attending school after the 1st grade. He longs to return to school and to one day become a mechanic. Luis (pictured above right) is Marlon’s older brother. He is 13 years old, but is so small for his age. I believe he his malnourished and that has stunted his growth. Luis, like Marlon, dropped out of school after the 2nd grade. He desires to return to school and to study. However, he’s not yet sure what he wants to do when he grows up.
   These precious boys are longing to go to school. They have dreams for their future, but their poverty will keep them from achieving their dreams. You can make a huge difference in their lives for only $25/month (per child).  If we can obtain sponsorship for these three brothers, they would be able to return to school and study consistently, all of their school supplies and uniforms would be provided, and they would receive free medical and dental care. With extreme poverty like theirs, we would also be able to provide some food for the family and clothes for the boys. I would love to find sponsors for Luis, Marlon, and David before the new school year begins in February so that the boys could begin school again on time. Please help us empower them to dream for a better future!

*If you are willing to sponsor one of these boys, please email using the link on the left side of this page including the name of the boy that you would like to sponsor.