I was asked to send a picture of the Board of the Ruach Foundation that was elected in July. Since then we have got two new members. Of course that is a good way of increasing the involvement with the people in Juigalpa who work so hard behind the scenes to ensure that our work stays on track.
When I was in the Netherlands I realized that there is some confusion about the Vivir Juntos and the Ruach foundations.
Vivir Juntos Foundation
This foundation was established in the Netherlands in June 2015 with the aim to raise funds to support our work in Nicaragua. Vivir Juntos works especially in the Netherlands and Belgium through contacts with organisations, congregations and individual people. This is crucial, because Nicaragua is a poor country which means that the Government of Nicaragua cannot support social initiatives. VJ allows our work in Nicaragua time to establish itself and to gradually look for other means of support in Nicaragua itself or elsewhere.
I am one of the founders of Vivir Juntos. Since I moved to Juigalpa, I have produced newsletters and blogs for the Vivir Juntos website through which we hope to reach more people and draw attention to our work in Juigalpa. The VJ website also gives information about the activities of the Board of Vivir Juntos.
The Ruach foundation
In Juigalpa the implementation of the work in Ruach’s Community Home and Activities Centre is overseen by the Board of the Fundación Cristiana Comunitaria para personas con discapacidad Ruach, or in short, the Ruach Foundation. In December 2016 the Fundación obtained legal status. Its aim is to improve the position of adults with an intellectual disability in the society and to contribute to their human rights being respected. I work for the Ruach Foundation as the coordinator of the community home and the activities centre.
In line with Nicaraguan law, the Board consists of seven members cont
rolled by the General Assembly. In forthcoming Newsletters members of the Board and the Assembly will gradually introduce themselves to you.
In the picture: standing from left to right: Carmen Moreira, Marileth Lopez (treasurer) Genesis Chevarra (‘factotum’/stand-in where needed), Martha Lopez (secretary). Seated from left to right: Luz Milda Castro (contoller), Ana Alicia Murillo (president) and Ada Francys Morales (vice president)