Dear Friends,
Welcome to the first edition of " Nica News," a monthly newsletter explicitly for former MPI Program Directors (previously known as "members," or long-term volunteers) in Nicaragua. The idea for this newsletter came from you; its purpose to keep you better informed of the more personal happenings of MPI and the Nicaraguan communities in which you worked. "Manna Mail" gives a bi-monthly snapshot of the many aspects and happenings of Manna Project globally, with a combined audience of volunteers and donors-past and present. The audience for "Nica News" is much more focused—it is you, the small but growing group that has truly made MPI-Nica what it is today. As an organization, we are so grateful for you, and as we grow, we want to strengthen our Alumni Network. Thanks to your input, we are learning meaningful ways to do just that, with "Nica News" being the first of several ideas.
As planned now, the format of "Nica News" will be simple, honest, and personal. Each month we will share a brief personal story, either regarding the inner workings of a program or regarding a friend in the community that many of us may know. We will then have a listing of the recent "Happenings" (births, jobs obtained, houses built, etc) as well as a list of important upcoming dates (birthdays of people in the community, graduations, events, etc). We want to get personal, while of course maintaining the balance between sharing and gossiping. The last section in the "Nica News" will be a posting for assistance needed. This may include a question about literacy class discipline by a current Program Director, a request for medical research on a specific illness, or a need for donations/funds for a specific project and/or program.
Again, this is the current design for this newsletter. However, we want to ensure that we are indeed providing you with what you desire. We want and need you to remain connected to Manna Project and to Nicaragua. If you have additional ideas of how this newsletter can help do that, please let us know. This is for you.
Well my friends, as MPI-Nica is off and running in its fourth year, I must admit that I often think back to each year of its development—and how different they each have been! Thank you for the part that you have played, as well as for the part that you will continue to play. I miss you, and if you have not come back to visit recently, I truly hope you do soon. I'm still here. J
:) Lori
Happenings (over the last year)
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Amanda and Thomas had a baby girl, Samantha Denise, on Sept 10, 2007. She was born healthy, weighing 7.5 lbs.
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Jessenia had her fourth child, Jarra Emilia, in Februry 2007.
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Lydia had her fourth child, a little girl, Lynette Isabel.
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Exequiel took a new job in El Transito where he is not only the school director, but also the math, science and English teacher. He is still studying for his degree in Physics.
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Elena (Alvaro) had a party on Feb 18, 2007 celebrating the graduation from high school of two of her kids. She had promised her husband before he died that she would have this party for their kids.
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Exequiel and Alan (Chiqui) have gone surfing with our current PDs and have both been very determined in learning.
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Raquel served as the "Feeding Program Coordinator" while Kathy was in the States over the summer.
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