An email just received from Sister Debbie Blow, Director of the North Country Mission fo Hope
Good morning everyone,
Even in the midst of the pandemic and subsequent struggles we face here in the United States, the reality is even worse in Nicaragua.
We have an urgent plea from our administrators in Nicaragua and many of you have wondered how you can help.
Here’s the situation: In a zoom meeting with Mauricio and Magaly yesterday afternoon, we were informed that the situation worsens as the COVID-19 impacts our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua.
Previously, the Mission partnered with the Fuller Project and were able to have the women in Nica make 4000 masks for approximately $1400.00. That’s $.35 per mask. When the distribution began in our 13 poor barrios, they quickly ran out and weren’t even able to provide a mask to all of the most vulnerable. I asked if we were able to come up with another $1400, could they purchase the supplies and could they use another 4000. Their response was, “that would be a start”. I also asked if the people were actually using the masks and they emphatically stated YES! They were practicing social responsibility and pleaded for more.
Further, they told me that while the government fails to share or acknowledge the accurate numbers of people with the virus, people are VERY ill. In ONE hospital alone, there are at least 16 doctors with the Coronavirus, and no one in any hospital has any PPE’s. People are told to go to the hospitals, but then, the medical staff is ill and unable to treat plus the vast majority of the people the Mission of Hope serves, have no way of even getting sick people to the hospitals in Managua.
While Mauricio and Magaly have no real way of knowing the depth of numbers, Mauricio indicated there are at least 5 of his neighbors with the virus and when living in such crowded conditions, it is sure to spread….and “many, many people are sick”. Everyone is frightened.
And so….we would like to invite anyone who is able to make a small donation toward our Mission’s covid-19 response, to do so and mark “masks” or “emergencies” in the memo section. You can also VENMO and write covid as reason.
I am very pleased to tell you that we will have the ability to match any donations you can make up to $3500 or a total of 10,000 masks. So, With your help, the end result is that we could authorize up to 20,000 more masks, etc.
Time is of the essence here and we look forward to hearing from those of you who are able to help. Yes, we have received previous covid donations and as you know, we’ve assisted local food banks here and in Nica, and we have also donated masks locally and regionally as well.
Finally, on another note, I also learned that the parents of many of our sponsored students, are asking if they keep their children home from school to protect them from catching or spreading the virus, would they still be able to keep their sponsorship. (Note that the government operated schools have not closed)…. part of presenting an image that nothing is wrong. Only the private schools have closed at this point, so parents are torn as to what to do. I assured our administrators that they should assure the parents of our sponsored students to keep their children as safe as possible and that due to this global pandemic, no one would lose their sponsorship this year. Their children’s health is also our concern.
So, while we struggle, our Nica brothers and sisters do as well and have far fewer options.
Thank you for considering our request. Please feel free to advise me if you can help. I’ll keep you updated on totals we receive for our ability to respond to the cries of our brothers and sisters.
Live in HOPE,
Sr. Debbie
Posted: May 9th, 2020 under Heathcare News, Northern NY News.