As I arrived to Casa Alianza this morning, I was greeted to the sight of one of our new young kids living at Casa Alianza, covered in blood after inflicting self-harm to his arm with a piece of glass. Sadly, its not the first time I have seen such a sight.
Sometimes, it can be hard to remember the horrific and traumatic background that many of our kids have gone through, and a sight like this brings it all crashing back. To see a young boy like this, who, without knowing his story looks like a normal and healthy teenager, covered in blood after trying to damage himself so severely, really makes me focus once again on the horrendous injustices faced by far too many young people. For any young person forced into a situation where they feel such drastic action is there only escape, then it once again reinforces the importance of working to protect, support, and show love and understanding to these kids.
On the other side of things, I continue working in my area of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation to try and provide as many sustainable projects and events as I can to help, in some way, provide that sense of love and understanding. All the members of Casa Alianza Nicaragua continue doing a really remarkable job to try and make that all-too necessary difference.
To conclude this little entry, I guess my work today was left me with a somewhat bitter-sweet feeling. I spent the weekend at the Laguna de Apoyo, a volcanic crater lake, and one of the most beautiful spots I have ever seen in the world. It is a strange contrast when after being surrounded by such beauty during the weekend, to come back and be greeted by such a difference. It is tough when dealing with such a contrast, but only further inspires me to keep trying to do what I can.
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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