It has been far too long since I wrote, and I wanted firstly to wish everybody a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.
I am not too sure why I have found it hard to write this past month, but it is now time to make up for it, with an update of some of the things going on here at Casa Alianza Nicaragua.
Two weeks ago we went up with a group of 15 kids to the northern highlands, to participate in a three day camping event, as part of the National Scouts movement. Sounds like a mix for disaster, right? Me, 15 at-risk teenagers, and two tents. But the truth is, it was fantastic. Often in Managua we are really restricted in what we are able to do. The contamination and insecurity of the ciry creates an enviroment where it is a lot harder for kids to really be able to develop in a positive way. But once out in the open, with big green spaces and fresh air, the difference was amazing. A number of the discipline problems we face on a daily basis vanished, as all the kids participated very actively in the various different Scout type activity.
It is without doubt a huge honour to spend time like this with a group of kids, all of which have faced the most extraordianry trauma, through life on the streets or awful violence, but are now finally able to behave just like kids, and for a period of time no longer burdened by the difficulities they have faced.
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On the 24th December I celebrated my second Christmas here at Casa Alianza. Once again, the day was filled with joy but tinged with sadness.
It is lovely to share Christmas with the kids, join in the singing and the activities, and then sit down to lunch together. Kids who have left our residential programs during the year come back, and many bring their family members to share in the day.
But for a number of the kids we care for, Christmas is not quite so happy. Many have no family or no place to go, and they will be staying withous throughout the period, whilst we have managed to send a number of their friends back to their family homes for a few weeks.
For these kids, Christmas is very tough. We have prepared a full schedule of activities so that they can feel part of a family here at Casa Alianza, but we all know that doesn't quite take away the sadness. The most important things we can do for these kids is show to them that no matter what, we will be there for them, and we will do our very best to provide them the love and support they need.
Children like this, with no family or no place to go is far to common throughout the world. And as I have writtten above, and as I have said many times on this blog, providing these kids wity love and showing them that there people who will care for them and respect them, is something we are all capabale of doing.
Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.
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.
