Its time for a long overdue update.......
I took a very welcome break to the US over the new years, and since getting back to Nicaragua, its been great being back at work.
One of the biggest successes since coming back, is that many of the kids, the ones I spoke about in my last entry, who stayed at Casa Alianza over Christmas, really seem to be improving.
Maria, for example, is a 14 year old girl, and was a formerly coerced into the sex industry working at Managua's Mercado Oriental, one of the most dangerous places in the city.
When she first came to Casa Alianza her body was scarred and bruised. She would often shiver as she was trying to get off the drugs in which she had previously taken refuge. I would often find her sitting sullenly somewhere around the buildings, with a hood covering her face. She was a very timid girl, and found it difficult to speak to people for long periods of time.
Despite the hard times, Maria stayed at Casa Alianza during the christmas period. I had a long chat with her before I left as I knew she was finding it exceptionally difficult, but at the same time I knew she was desperate to change her life.
Maria has now been at Casa Alianza for 2 and a half months, and although she still has difficult moments, she is now far more what we might call a 'normal' teenage girl. She is lively and happy, and no longer feels the need to hide herself away. The improved self-confidence in her is apparent and wonderful to see. I am convinced that if she stays with us, then the chance of her getting back into society, and being able to live a 'normal' and happy life, are much greater.
There have been difficult and sad times as well, and I will no doubt be sharing those, but for the time being, I wanted to start this first entry of 2011 on a happy note.
And although this is belated, I wish you all a very happy and inspiring 2011!
With love,
Simon
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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