When I arrived in Juigalpa in October 2015 we were still ‘full on’ working to prepare the ground for the start of the project. As the months went by, we had of course many meetings with persons and organisations to acquaint them with our plans, and we deepened our thoughts about the project.
This was very meaningful, and at times frustrating, because it seemed as if there would never come an end to having to think, re-think and formulate our vision and plans. But finally this has resulted in a project that fits in well with what we locally see and hear around us. We called our programme: ‘Help me be who I am! A social programme to improve the position and rights of people 15 years or older who have an intellectual disability, with a focus on protection, stimulation and prevention’.
In December our efforts were well rewarded when we obtained legal status (‘personería jurídica’) and we became a foundation that we called the Fundación Cristiana Comunitaria para personas con Discapacidad Ruach (Christian community foundation for persons with disabilities, Ruach). The foundation has a board of seven members, resorting under a General Assembly that also has seven members. In January and February we were busy with administrative affairs such as opening a bank account and ensuring that in our operations we were abiding by the legal regulations.
Plenty work to be done!
With financial help from the Dutch foundation Vivir Juntos which I helped to set up, we will probably have a modest but sufficient budget to implement our plans for 2016 and the years ahead. Since April the Board has paid employees, myself included, who ‘pull the cart’ in the implementation of the project. Once a fortnight the Board meets to receive feedback and to discuss the plans.
My added value as a foreigner
On the Board:
- Our culturally defined approaches to work differ but complement each other well. Both the formal and the informal have a place in our interaction and because of our different experiences we have interesting exchanges that enrich all of us, and the project therefore!
- Because there are no formal studies or courses in Nicaragua that equip students to become a professional in working with people with limitations, my theoretical and practical experience is valuable, in particular in thinking through which methods and strategies we can use and how to assess how our work bears fruit.
To the outside world:
- Because of positive discrimination towards ‘Westerners’, it sometimes works out well that I am part of a group that has a conversation with an organization or a person. On the other hand, when we meet with government organisations my presence could be counter-productive. Given the situation, we can choose our best strategy.
- The same applies when we approach donors. Having a foreigner involved with the recipient organization may give some donors a stronger sense of confidence in the stability of the project and the transparency in the utilization of the funds.
- I’m the only person on the Board who is able to communicate in English, which makes it much easier to raise funds abroad. It widens our network.
- I’m able to work on awareness- raising and involvement in the Netherlands
- The ecumenical dimension of our work gains more prominence. In Nicaragua people think more in terms of Roman Catholic or Protestant.
What are the limitations and opportunities of the contribution of a missionary in the development process?
It can be tempting to want to go too fast, to forge ahead of the troups, as it were. ‘Together’ always adds value and provides a better basis. The process is as important as the results of the work. As an outsider one may have a fresh look that could challenge prejudices and rigid thinking in a way that creates scope for new approaches. Sometime a foreigner receives more goodwill, which helps to get things done. On the other hand, as a foreigner you sometimes have to accept that things are the way they are, and that you may have to be less ambitious about what can be achieved.
Jonathan
When I walk with Jonathan in the town I often am asked whether I have adopted him. It almost seems as if people think that children with a disability are only born in developing countries. Us living here helps several people to change how they perceive people with a disability. They are also regularly surprised at what Jonathan is able to do, for example that he speaks two languages, no matter how limited. That Jonathan and I are here together adds value to the project, because I practice what I preach, which is to contribute to a world that appreciates all people, irrespective of differences, with and without disabilities!
Personal well-being
I’d like to end with two quotes from the book ‘Boek van Levenskunst’ (translated from German) written by the German Benedictine Father Anselm Grün. This book inspires me and has an impact on how I experience my life here.
- A monk is a human being who let go of everything, yet feels connected with everything. A monk knows he is united with all people, because he recognizes himself in every person. He feels united with the cosmos.
- Ordeals are challenges for a monk, because they force him to deepen his roots in God, to increase his faith in God. Due to the unceasing struggle he becomes stronger inwardly and this turns him into a man.