News & Profiles

I am going to talk a little about my history with Project Minnesota in León. My name is Emidonia Idalia Ruiz Moran. My parents are farmers and I am proud of my campesino origin. I am a single mother with six children, three boys and three girls. I have been working as a cook for the local hospital for the past twenty years, but at the same time I have also served as volunteer for PML. I started as a volunteer for PML in 1985 and five years later became part of the support and advisory council. When I was introduced to the project, it was out of need for my neighbourhood.

In 1985, with the help of PML, we were able to begin to address some major problems. When we started, our families did not have housing in which to live. It was a benediction to get to know this project for our people, because without the help of our North American brothers and sisters, I do not believe that any of us would be able to have a dignified house in which to raise our children. For this, I will always be thankful to Project Minnesota. I give thanks from the bottom of my heart for the bond that they have cultivated, because without the help of NGO’s in Nicaragua, the small communities would not be able to move forward.

"My 11-year-old frame stood tense and motionless. I took a deep breath, reached out a sweaty hand to take hold of the microphone and began to speak. The sound of my voice began to echo through the halls of my school."

A couple of hundred signatures and several months later, I received a large manila envelope from the White House. I could hardly contain myself. Anything could be inside: an invitation to a press conference or to speak on the evening news. Maybe even a letter announcing a personal visit from the President himself! I carefully tore open the envelope, reached inside, and slowly pulled out an 8x10 autographed photo of George H.W. Bush. I was devastated. Reality. Nevertheless, this moment of my first plunge into activism sparked a fire in me to be an agent of change.

Warm greetings to all of you Minnesotans – all so friendly and giving.

My name is Oneyda. I am 19 years old. I am a loving, friendly young woman. This past year was a good year for me. I study in a secondary school called Las Brisas. It is only open on Saturdays. Las Brisas is a school for students who are working and don’t have much time for classes. Since I live in El Chague, I travel to school on a bicycle. It takes a half hour by bike but on foot it would take close to two hours! The road is very rocky and when it rains, it gets extremely muddy.

We are grateful to Paula Bidle, PML Executive Director, for the great energy and expertise she has brought to the task of supporting and working closely with PML standing committees in Minnesota and with our coordinator and consejo in León, to enhance our work in Nicaragua. She has competently laid the groundwork for her successor to carry on and continue the forward momentum. We are sad that she is resigning but delighted that she will continue to work with PML as a volunteer. Paula's letter follows.

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Dear friends in PML,

It is with great sadness that I find myself having to leave my position as Executive Director of PML, in order to assume a full-time position as chaplain at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

For the Love of Preschool

Karla Romero is a community preschool teacher at Jardines de Oriente (Eastern Gardens) in a community called First of May. She is a dynamic teacher, a woman of abundant energy and a confidence-inspiring smile. In her twelve years teaching in Nicaragua, four in this school, she has had to confront struggles everyday just for the basics. She says it is the earnestness of her students that keeps her spirits high.

Jardines de Oriente preschool is truly a community school. Twelve years ago, the water company in León installed for the first time ever, water and sewer systems in the community. During the execution of the project, the water company built a make-shift shed of wood in which to store all their machines and equipment. It was this building that four community members claimed for the preschool. Although it was built only for temporary storage, those first four teachers had to struggle to hold onto the land and the wooden shed for their community preschool.

What do you like about serving on PML’s Southern Council?

Having the opportunity to support and participate in the work to promote development in the communities. I like being involved in the Consejo and the experience of working as a team with the other Consejo members.

What do you find difficult about the job?

My inability to be available for all the activities and tasks we have before us. Because of my work schedule I can’t do all the things I am willing to do and I find it hard to follow through to the extent I think best.

Stephanie Owen and Amati, her 9-1/2 year old son, left in September for a 14 month stay in León, Nicaragua. Stephanie is a Spanish teacher at Hopkins High School and, like all language teachers, she wants to be sure that when her students finish her classes they will be knowledgeable about another culture in addition to having a second language under their belts. Stephanie, however, has an even more expansive idea and the staff at her school agrees.

 CEFER students live and study for one week at the CEFER location (currently in Alicia Pulido’s house), then return to their families’ homes where they work with their families in agriculture. The cooperative nature of the arrangement allows for students who have gotten behind in their studies due to other responsibilities at home to continue their studies even though they may be behind a number of years. Other schools do not allow for older kids to study with younger ones.

PMGL gives CEFER $260 each month to provide meals for the students.