Quest for Peace - Program for Human Development

"Hands Off Nicaraguan Elections" Campaign

Thu, 7 Sep 2006 18:05:49 -0400

U.S Interference in the Nicaraguan Elections

On November 5th, 2006, Nicaraguans went to the polls to elect a new president and National Assembly. From the outset of the presidential campaign, the current U.S. administration - represented by its ambassador to Nicaragua, Paul Trivelli - blatantly attempted to influence the outcome of the elections. Trivelli did everything he could to ensure that the U.S. government's preferred candidate, banker Eduardo Montealegre, won the presidency, and to make sure former president Daniel Ortega, of the Sandinista party, lost. Obviously, this is not the way fair, free, elections work.

Quest Staff just back from Nicaragua

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:26:49 -0400

The month of July was one of celebrations. July 19^th marked the 29^th anniversary of the triumph of the Sandinista Revolution and the context of impossible dreams and social transformation in which the Quest for Peace was born. On July 22, Quest staff joined the Institute of John XXIII in celebrating their 47 years of service and solidarity with the poor of Nicaragua. Please read our newsletter for updates on: Hubs of Development, the Institute's new 3-year plan, Housing Construction in Tipitapa and Waspam, Reforestation and Watershed protection in FEDICAMP communities and the 7^th MesoAmerican Forum on Neo-colonialism and Free Trade.

Tropical Storm Alma impacts agricultural cycle

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 17:04:11 -0400

Tropical Storm Alma produced millions of dollars in damages to the agricultural sector, impacting over 24 thousand producers. In Leon and Chinandega, campesinos lost their first planting to heavy rains and winds which reached 100 kilometers per hour in some areas. This crop loss is disastrous for small farmers who have not harvested since last year and must now repay bank loans used plant. Crop loss was heaviest in Leon, Malpaisillo and Achuapa. In response to a request from the Institute Juan XXIII, the Quest for Peace is working on the possibility of shipping vegetable seeds so that families can reinforce food production from patio gardens.

Tropical Storm Alma strikes in May

Thu, 29 May 2008 21:17:54 -0400

In an atypical pattern, Hurricane Alma developed off the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua on Wednesday, threatening the entire region with torrential rains. Heavy rains pounded Costa Rica for 24 hours where the President of the National Emergency Commission reported that "more rain fell in one day than in the entire month of May", producing mudslides and damage to roads and housing. At noon on Thursday, the storm hit land in Nicaragua near Leon, converting to a Tropical Storm with winds of 65 miles per hour and dumping as much as twenty inches of rain.

UN warns of food crisis in Central America

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:21:31 -0400

The United Nations issued an alert in response to a sharp hike in world food prices that has provoked food shortages in Central America. Nicaragua is considered to be one of the most vulnerable countries in the region, according to Laura Clementi of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). High prices for basic grains have resulted in Nicaraguans eating less food. This is of grave concern because the daily intake of calories is already below required levels, and the situation is getting worse.

Reflections from FEDICAMP on news of world food crisis

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:31:54 -0400

While traveling to work on the bus, I reflected on the world news headlines of food insecurity. In Nicaragua, we read alarming reports about food shortages that impact the developed countries of the North, Europe, and Asia. This is alarming to them, but is very common for us. I asked myself if they have ever thought about the impact of the economic blockades that they impose on our countries, leaving millions of people hungry, with no health care, no education, and no possibility of a dignified life.

Miskito House small

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:41:11 -0400

Hurricane recovery efforts going strong on the Atlantic Coast!

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:42:55 -0500

Miskito communities in Waspam are working hard to build homes from salvaged lumber before the next rains set in. See our full report.

House building in Waspam

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:11:24 -0500

Report on Recovery Efforts - Building Houses in Waspam

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 10:56:40 -0500

In September 2007, Hurricane Felix, a category 5 storm with 165 mph winds slammed into the eastern coast of Nicaragua. The Quest for Peace and our Nicaraguan partner, the Institute of John the XXIII mobilized. Within a month, the Quest has sent $80,000 in emergency recovery funds.

Nicaragua Recommits to Education as a Right

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:28:12 -0500

"The exploitative systems in Latin America need illiterate people."

Fr. Fernando Cardenal, Minister of Education, 1979 -1990

The right to education was one of the greatest achievements won by the Nicaraguan people during the 1980's. In 1979, just months after the overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship, the new government organized a massive literacy campaign, reducing the national illiteracy rate from a national average of 60% to 12%. Seventeen thousand volunteer teachers, taught fellow citizens to read and write. Children from poor families had access to University education for the first time in history. The government of Nicaragua was internationally recognized for its historic achievement in reversing a legacy of illiteracy and human exploitation, even in the midst of the U.S. backed contra war.

2007 PHD Program Update

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:16:55 -0500

Project for Human Development (PHD)

Progress Report

July 2007

The Institute John XXIII is in the process of concluding the second and final stage of the Project for Human Development (PHD), which will be finalized as a project in December 2007. The PHD works in 15 communities to promote integral development and improve living conditions by weaving together programs in five areas: community organization, health, education, housing and production.

Report on Quest Disaster Relief Efforts

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:05:08 -0500

"So our great reconstruction challenge is to restore the balance and harmony. And we are facing that challenge at a moment in which we are all in mourning, all crying, we still haven't found some of our people...We have to use all our energy to rebuild and help people shake off that feeling of emptiness and loss currently reigning in our communities."
Alta Hooker, President of the University of the Autonomous Regions of Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast

Nicaragua faces epidemics after flooding

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 15:23:17 -0500

In the aftermath of flooding caused by back-to-back disasters (Hurricane Felix followed by two tropical depressions) the Ministry of Health (MINSA) is working intensely to control epidemics.

Nicaragua declares another disaster on the heels of Hurricane Felix

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:32:06 -0400

A tropical depression has resulted in 50 days of ceaseless rain, provoking yet another disaster which has impacted the entire country. This comes as Nicaragua struggles to recover from the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Felix on the Atlantic coast, just weeks ago.