Firstly I am sorry I don't write on this blog as often as I would like to. I spend most of my working days confronted by so many situations and emotions of the kids and of my own, that it can sometimes be really difficult to untangle all of these different feelings and work out how to put them down in writing.
Last week, however, was one of those moments when everything I am doing out here seemed to make sense. We held, within Casa Alianza, the pre-Christmas graduation ceremony. All of the kids who had completed various courses (computing, bakery, jewlery making, mechanics etc) received their diplomas.
The 40 or so kids who received certificates were dressed up and proudly went up to the podium to receive their certificates.
Seeing as I spend time working on the streets of Managua, I know all too well the background of the kids resident at Casa Alianza. Many have lived in rubbish dumps and gutters, where addicted to drugs, they scrounged through thrown away garbage to see what they could find to eat. Failing this, most would then use robbery as the other main means of supporting themselves. There are other people, 12/13/14 years old who are the victims of abuse, commerical sexual exploitation and human trafficiking.
To see these kids who have come from such background receive certificates in new skills they have acheived so that they can leave Casa Alianza and work to build their lives a-new is a phenomenal thing to, and it is moments like this when the work we do really does make sense.
Casa Alianza also runs courses for the families of the children we work with, and these mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters were also presented with their diplomas.
You might remember Gloria from a previous entry. It was Gloria (who is still at Casa Alianza) that gave the vote of thanks. Her words had me fighting back the tears. She thanked everyone at Casa Alianza for helping her have another chance at life, when previously she had given up any aspiration and hope for her future.
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It is difficult to express all my emotions about this event on here, but I hope my emotions come through.
There are times when everything we do makes sense, and we can really see that through work, commitment, passion, respect and love we can make a difference, and, for want of a better expression, make this world a better place......This has been one of those moments.
About Me
- Simon Walters
- My name is Simon Walters - I work for Casa Alianza Nicaragua. Casa Alianza Nicaragua is a non-profit NGO, working to protect, support and rehabilitate children living on streets, victims of abuse, violence, abandonment, commercial and sexual exploitation and human trafficking. I work as a specialist member of staff, coordinating healthy and sustainable activities for the kids in our protection, and on the international development side of things - working with all the Casa Alianza sites in Latin America. I hold a MA in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations University for Peace, and a MA in History from the University of Edinburgh. I am very involved in the Model United Nations, and in 2009 served as the Founding Secretary General of Mostar International Model United Nations, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I also have experience in English teaching, coaching public speaking and debating, acting and radio presenting.
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