Be the reason why someone believes in the goodness of humanity
We all hoped and wanted it to be different. We as the board, Willy, Henk and Ruud, the previous board: Jeroen, Niko, Diana, our volunteers: Annelies and Michiel and of course the many others closely involved in the Vivir Juntos Foundation. We have all worked in our own way to provide a home for Daniel, Maria Elena, Miguel, Loyda, Manuel and Jonathan and of course for the Activities Club in our beloved Juigalpa in Nicaragua. At first here in the Netherlands, when the plans were still a dream, then moving into the first Community home in Juigalpa, the first housemates, personnel struggles, Covid, and all the challenges that came their way. But also the great stories and successes: trips to the swimming pool, where Manuel learned to float and Maria Elena learned to swim without straps. The opening the optician’s shop. The visits to the dentist and the hairdresser at home. The many raffles and sales of homemade products. And the many donations of food (rice and flour) from the people of Juigalpa who did their part.
But it will have become clear to you as loyal donors and supporters of Vivir Juntos from Astrid’s story that accompanies this newsletter that this wonderful project is coming to an end. Of course that makes us sad, just as the whole situation in Nicaragua saddens and worries us. In that context, a project like the one we supported has become impossible. Our Astrid had to choose a different future. She does not do this just like that, but after careful consideration and undoubtedly with pain in her heart. We respect her choice and will support her as much as we can in the difficult period of transition to a new life for herself and Jonathan, back in the Netherlands.
We are happy to have been part of Astrid’s journey over the past 8 years. We sympathized from a distance. And we were and are impressed by Astrid’s resilience. Every year we received a digital Christmas card from Astrid, on behalf of the Community Home. Always with a beautiful quote.
The ones that stuck with us:
Sometimes we feel that what we do is just a drop in the sea, but the sea would contain less water without that drop – Mother Teresa (Christmas wish 2016)
Be the reason why someone believes in the goodness of humanity (Christmas wish 2021)
When you give with the goodness of all your heart, you always gain. Because life is like an echo: it gives you back what you give! (Christmas wish 2018)
As a board, we will of course ensure a dignified conclusion to this project and an appropriate use of the remaining funds, as required by the statutes of the Vivir Juntos Foundation. Annelies and Michiel will help us with the completion of the website and everything that goes with it. We will take some time to do this, and we will certainly inform you via a final newsletter.
We sincerely thank you as donors and friends for all your support in recent years, also on behalf of Astrid and all the Nicaraguans with whom she has worked. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024!
With kind regards,
Board and volunteers of the Vivir Juntos Foundation:
Ruud Lambregts, chairman
Henk Verheul, secretary
Willy de Mooij, treasurer
Annelies Witz-Vlaardingerbroek, communications
Michiel Witz, website administrator