True Inspiration from CDCA/Jubilee House

I had some true inspiration this week from a non-profit organization called CDCA- Center for Development in Central America, also known as Jubilee House. The lovely Ana Gordon connected me with CDCA when I told her about HALO's work in Nicaragua. Ana lived in Nicaragua and worked with the CDCA when they first moved into Nicaragua nearly 20 years ago. On a trip to Nicaragua in September I went to visit the wonderful people of CDCA to check out the work they are doing in Nicaragua. The people who work for CDCA have dedicated over 20 years of their lives to building up the community of Cuidad Sandino in Nicaragua. They have listened to the needs of the people in this community. They have worked with farmers to develop better agriculture practices, established a medical clinic in a high-need community, assisted refugees from natural disasters, and have supported many co-ops to name just a few of the many ways they have helped this community.

Pat and Kathy with CDCA are currently on a tour in the US to spread the word about the work CDCA is doing in Nicaragua. They came to speak to our HALO staff this week, and it was truly eye-opening and motivating for all of us. I am so impressed that this group of people have dedicated over 20 years of their lives to living and working in the Cuidad Sandino community. They have made a tremendous impact and do not show any signs of slowing down.
Click here to learn more about CDCA and the amazing work they are doing in Nicaragua.

Pat from CDCA and Johnny in the 'natural pharmacy,' a garden that is used for natural remedies in their clinic in Cuidad Sandino.

The CDCA group in their community in Nicaragua.

El Transito, Nicaragua.

El Transito is a small fishing village on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua that was practically wiped out by a devastating Tsunami in 1992. Since then the small community has struggled to become sustainable and provide enough resources for the families still living there. An organization called NicaFund has spent the last 10 years helping to provide more resources and opportunities to the community of El Transito. Friday morning I met Claudia Tinoco, the Nicaragua Country Director for NicaFund. In less than 10 years, NicaFund has helped El Transito build better roads, installed a well, create a feeding program and educational program, built a baseball field, provided jobs for the community, and set up community service projects where locals who participate receive assistance building their own homes. Although NicaFund has primarily worked in El Transito, they have begun a similar model in some communities outside of Managua.

Claudia took Johnny and I on the 1 1/2 hour drive to El Transito Friday morning, warning us that the roads can get a little rough, especially on a rainy day. Lucky for us the day stayed dry; I have no idea how anyone gets anywhere there when it's raining. At one point we had to cross a small stream to get to our destination. The stream turns into a river if rain gets heavy, which is usually daily now during the rainy season.

NicaFund has made so much positive impact in the community of El Transito that it's hard to imagine what the community would be like without them. The best part about NicaFund's work is they are not making changes independently, but rather empowering the people of the town to become self-sustainble. One example is a community development program, where locals are able to help with community service and in return earn large cut stone slabs to build their own homes. Saturday we were able to join a local community service project cleaning up the El Transito Pacific Coast as part of an International coast clean-up. Jonathan, NicaFund's El Transito local Director, is so dedicated to his job that he facilitated the beach clean-up while sick with Dengue Fever. Jonathan and Claudia, along with the the other NicaFund staff are doing great work in El Transito. They have plans to grow their model to many other communities in Nicaragua, and I have no doubt they are the organization to make that happen.

Claudia Tinoco, NicaFund Country Director, assisting Claudia Aburto, Food Program Supervisor, preparing for the local Feeding Program.

Claudia Aburto, pictured here with her family in front of their home. Claudia has been able to build her entire home with the help of NicaFund's community development program that allowed her to gain stone slabs.

Volunteers assisting with the International Coastal Clean-up day, including Jonathan Butcher, NicaFund El Transito Program Director.

Getting around El Transito however possible.

Claudia Tinoco in the Community Feeding Program Kitchen built by NicaFund.

My new favorite drink, Jamaica tea, made from Hibiscus flower.

Claudia Aburto outside of the school and feeding program supported by NicaFund.

Managua Nicaragua is the place to be...

I have trekked what feels like the entire city of Managua today. The day started at 8:00 am catching a cab to meet the wonderful people of Manna Project. Manna Project operates 17 programs in the Managua area. They work in communities in the highest need, including Villa Guadelupe. Villa Guadelupe is a community of families who previously lived in La Chureca, a community that existed on top of a dump. Hundreds of families, including children, literally worked and lived on a mountain of trash. Conditions in La Chureca were so bad the country of Nicaragua, along with the Spanish government, shut down La Chureca and moved the families into a refuge community next to the dump. The families who once lived in trash now have homes in safe structures with sturdy walls instead of among burning trash and pollution. Some of the workers who previously made their living sorting and selling trash now have jobs working in a recycling facility that was created as part of the La Chureca rehabilitation. While an improvement from their previous situation, there are problems that have crept up as a result of the families uprooting their entire lives from the trash dump to Villa Guadelupe. While living and working in the trash dump, all members of the family were able to find work selling and burning trash. Now, only select members of the community are able to work in the recycling plant, leaving many without work.

I met with Manna Project to learn more about their work in La Chureca, Villa Guadelupe and the many other communities around Managua they work with. I spotted Manna Project and their micro-bus full of friendly young faces at a gas station in a busy intersection. 13 people greeted me as I got on the bus and I quickly learned they have an incredibly productive volunteer model. At the time I met them, they had 12 long term volunteers serving a minimum of 13 months in Nicaragua. Most of the volunteers were college students, all studying various areas of community development, non-profit, and medicine. Along with them was Manna Project Country Director, Christina. They took me around to several of their programs, including a school, a clinic in Villa Guadelupe, a women's co-op, multiple homes of families they support, a pre-school and a youth camp. These were just a handful of their programs and I was amazed at how much impact this small group is making in these communities. It felt as though each person we walked by or home we passed someone was yelling out to greet to the Manna Project workers. They have done an amazing job building relationships with the community and the people they are working with. I learned so much more about Managua, Nicaragua, and the surrounding communities by listening and hearing the stories of the Manna Project workers. The tour of their programming ended in the home of a local woman they work with, Lupe. Lupe made an amazing home cooked authentic Nica meal. I am grateful for the time Manna Project and Lupe put into showing me a closer glimpse into Nica life.

Pictured above: Manna Project Country Director, Christina, along with 2 Manna Project long term volunteers and Lupe, our gracious host.

Pictured above: Family members supported by Manna Project in the communities surrounding Managua.

Back in Nica

I am so excited to be back in Nicaragua after nearly 3 years. This time around I am touring several communities and meeting non-profits working in educational and community development. I am here to observe, learn and find out how HALO can help the youth in Nicaragua. More than half of the population is under 18 years old here. If school is an option for them, it is less than half a day at most. Some workers I have met here this week told me they often see kids released from school as early as 10:30 am. While I would have loved to get out of school at 10:30 am when I was a kid, I realize as an adult that these kids are getting the short end of the stick with their education. There are some huge gaps; HALO wants to help fill them.

The first full day here I travelled to a city about 2 hours north of Managua called Jinotega. Jinotega is a beautiful mountain town with a lot of children and little resources for education. An organization called Outreach360 began working in Jinotega to provide educational support to the children living here. They are primarily run by volunteers, with hundreds of volunteers coming to visit each year to teach English and literacy, along with the other curriculum. While they have enough volunteers to keep their school afloat, they are lacking resources including funding and an adequate facility to support the many families who rely on them for educational support. Coco, the Nicaragua Country Director, is so passionate about the work of Outreach360 that her 2 years of service has turned into 11 years in the Dominican Republic and now Nicaragua.

During the visit to their afternoon English class, I was able to see why one of their biggest challenges is finding an adequate facility to hold their daily classes. They rent a small 2 room house to hold daily english and literacy classes for a huge amount of kids in the community. The small size of the classroom and heavy rain didn't put a damper on the eagerness in the room. There were kids busy reading, practicing English, interacting with teachers. It was clear from the amount of kids hanging around on the streets in the middle of the day that enrollment would skyrocket if they had a larger facility.

If you can't touch the sun reach for the stars

Stella, a HALO supported girl living in the Mengo Home in Kampala, Uganda, recently received a scholarship from HALO to attend Makerere University. Stella is extremely deserving of the scholarship and I felt very moved by her story. Below is an interview with Stella after she received notice about the scholarship. Read her interview through to the end and you will be inspired. For me, this serves as a reminder of the importance of our scholarship program.

What about going to college are you most excited about?
“I am most excited about the fact that I am joining the most beautiful university in Uganda. It is very hard to be accepted there. Even if I’ve not touched the sun at least I’ve touched the stars.”

Are you scared about going to college?
“Not at all. I am very happy and proud.”

What was the hardest part of your journey to this point?
“Before I joined HALO school fees were my stumbling block, and moving long journeys from home to school.” Stella explained that she had to walk very far every day to get to school. She said it was hard to stay late and get there early and the teacher would beat her for being late and not having all her homework.

What was the most joyous moment in your life?
“When I completed Senior 6 (the last level of advanced secondary school) because I never thought I would reach that level.”

What was the saddest moment in your life?
“When I was in Senior 2 and the people (my step-mothers and siblings) I was living with chased me away.”

Was there any point when you thought you might give up?
“Yes, when our father neglected us and didn’t give us anything. I thought I was born by mistake. I thought I was the problem. Our mother struggled so much that we thought maybe we shouldn’t be alive.”

What do you want to do after college?
“I will search for a job so I can support myself and my family. I would also like to continue to get my masters.”

What advice would you give the other Mengo girls?
“Be patient, very, very patient. Think about the future.”
Stella added, “I’d like to thank HALO because they have added a lot of value to my life. It was like a miracle.”

photo courtesy of Mary Pryse.

Unsung HALO Heroes

After returning from traveling to our HALO homes in Mexico, Uganda and Kenya, I am reminded of how many amazing people work and volunteer for HALO both near and far. They put in countless hours expecting little reward. There are so many people who deserve recognition for the work they do within HALO and I've highlighted a few of the many who have inspired me. They are truly amazing people who work hard simply because they are passionate about their work.

Sarah Dunia, who runs the Lily of the Valley Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, has worked at the orphanage since she was a teenager. She selflessly works alongside the other hardworking staff and rarely takes time off. She is mama to the many kids who live here and she can be found helping with anything and everything imaginable. She is wonder woman.

Asiimwe, HALO Uganda Field Coordinator, has been working for HALO for over 5 years. Asiimwe is the most cheerful person. Known in our Uganda homes as 'Uncle Asiimwe,' he is always around when someone needs help, and is constantly negotiating the best price for rent, assisting the mentors, and making sure school fees are paid. Asiimwe always has a smile on his face.


Williams Sakui, our Kenya Field Coordinator, spends his evenings visiting the homes when issues arise, and the caretakers know they can call on him whenever they have a need. After talking over the phone and emailing with Williams for months, I finally got the opportunity to meet Williams and his beautiful family in Kenya this month. He is pictured here with wife Rachel, and 2 daughters Karen and Angel.



Purity, Kenya Timau Home Caretaker, has discovered the secret to successful child rearing. Her ability to manage a home of 30 young boys amazes me. Purity has worked for years to create a family environment for the boys which has allowed them to feel at home and surrounded by love. Purity embodies patience.


Mary Pryse, HALO Uganda Ambassador, is raising her own funding to be able to live and work in Uganda for HALO for 2 years. Mary has built up strong relationships with our kids and mentors in less than 8 months of serving as an Ambassador. She is a problem-solver extraordinaire and an awesome travel companion. Donate to support Mary in Uganda here.

These are just a few of the many unsung HALO Heroes out there. I feel fortunate to work with such wonderful people.

HALO Baraka Home

The HALO Baraka Home in Kenya was the last stop on my trip. The home is previously known as the Naibor Home but has since moved to a new location. The 32 kids moved to their new home in September of 2012, where they now have more space to play and are much closer to their schools. They are surrounded by great views of the mountains and Kenyan farmland. We spotted several zebras on our way out to the home.

The kids at Baraka are so sweet and live very simply. When we showed up at the home to do an art project, they sat down and waiting patiently while we divided up the watercolor paint, brushes and paper. We did a project about 'what we love.' I love their beautiful colorful little drawings.

Timau brotherhood.

Yesterday was spent at the Timau Boys Home at the base of Mt. Kenya. The home here has 30 boys, 20 chickens, 3 bunnies, 2 puppies and 1 cow. I love the brotherhood of the boys in Timau. The 30 boys living here range in age from 7 to 17 which would make you think it would be total chaos. There is a lot of energy here but the boys are incredibly sweet and loving toward one another. They truly consider each other brothers. They help each other with their homework, sing together, eat together, play together, console each other, push each other on the swings.

When I was here in 2011, the boys were pretty young and I expected to be a little sad to see them so much older, a little more rowdy. They have definitely been growing up, but the same sweet boys I hoped to see were all still there and still as joyful as ever, just a little more grown up.

I was happy to receive many positive updates, including one of our HALO scholarship recipients, Kennedy Kiiru, has graduated from carpentry school and is now working. Another of the boys, Mussei, who previously had some medical problems with his eyes has received treatment and can now see very well.

I wished I could have spent more time at the Timau Home, but the time we did spend with the boys was so good. We played on their new playground and did an art therapy project, ending with the boys faces completely covered in paint.
The love continues at Timau.

Babirye and Nakato

In Uganda there are special names designated for twins. For girls, the older twin is named 'Babirye' and the younger twin is named 'Nakato.' They are given this special 'twin' name in addition to their own first name. HALO supports 2 twin girls in Uganda. Babirye Harriet and Nakato Alice.

I met the twins 2 years ago and got to make a trip to see them again today. Until today I didn't know the background of how they came to be supported by HALO. When the twins were born their mother passed away within one hour after delivery. The twins father had abandoned them. Without a mother to feed them or a father to provide for them, the twins became malnourished and even now at age 11 are still very small for their age.

A kind woman named Sarah took the twins in when they were only 6 months old and cared for them as though they were her own children. Although Sarah provided tremendous support emotionally for the twins, she was unable to pay the fees needed to send them to school. For that reason, the twins joined HALO's school sponsorship program to provide school fees for the twins while they continue to be supported by Sarah at home. When visiting Sarah and the twins at their home, I could see she loved them as much as any parent could love their child. Her face lit up when she told me stories about the twins when they were babies, even showing me pictures of them when they were tiny and how she would sleep with one in each arm.

While we were visiting Sarah she thanked me repeatedly but she is the one who deserves to be thanked.

Below is the picture Sarah proudly showed me of her and the twins when she first took them in.

Sarah and the twins today.

Back in Uganda

I am back in Uganda after nearly 2 years to visit our HALO supported homes. I arrived last week but have been so busy running all over Kampala I am just now getting a chance to sit, breathe, and write. This time around I am visiting our new HALO Ambassador, Mary Pryse, who after only 6 months of serving as a HALO Ambassador already seems like an old pro. From navigating the streets of Kampala, to writing food critiques for a local website, to negotiating prices, Mary is an amazing tour guide and hostess. I appreciate her working 14 hour days to accommodate all of the things we're trying to pack into a relatively quick trip.

I am also excited to have Valerie Mayen traveling along with me in Uganda. Valerie is an incredibly talented designer who runs Yellowcake out of Cleveland, Ohio and also happens to be a super cool travel companion and fellow ukulele enthusiast. Valerie is helping me to establish sewing and design programming in some of our HALO Uganda homes. We have purchased some new sewing machines and have been so excited to teach the girls in the Mengo and Lungujja homes some new sewing skills. We have not been able pick up on their Ugandan dance skills as well as they have picked up on the sewing.