Visit Nicaragua
Here are some quotes from members of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and others who have spent time in the rural communities of Nicaragua. Our committee makes 3-4 trips per year to Nicaragua, bringing needed supplies and hope to the people of Amatitan. All labor and resources necessary to cover the administrative costs of collecting and distributing aid to Nicaragua are donated by the committee members. The trip is paid for at the volunteers' own expense, allowing for 100% of all donations to go directly to the people of Nicaragua.
We share many of our fondest moments on the Images section of this site. We hope these photos and the following comments from your neighbors (who visited Nicaragua in February 2005) will convince you to join us in making a difference.
"When we arrived in Amatitan, we were met by a group of about 75 people who had waited several hours to greet us. We were hugged and kissed by people we had just met and you could see the love in their eyes. As the week progressed, we got to meet and work with more of the local Nicaraguans and I could not believe how even the smallest gesture on our parts brought such joy and appreciation to them."
Matt Kous, student volunteer"The local committees in Amatitan selected a needy family to receive a new home to be built by OLQM. Throughout the week, the students and several adults from OLQM endured blazing heat and constant dust storms while they worked on this home. At one point, their oldest son who suffers from epilepsy, had a seizure while we were working at the site. I have never seen such pain or heard such screams of agony as he was writhing in the dirt. I will never forget that day and it has given me a sense of confidence to face whatever challenges the future may hold. How can I ever complain about my life after seeing such incredible suffering?"
Ben Kuhn, student volunteer"I had no idea what to expect when we went to Amatitan. I never anticipated the welcoming we got from nearly 100 of the local residents who had waited hours to greet us. The people of the village greeted us with hugs and smiles that demonstrated their true feelings of joy at seeing us arrive. When I taught my first class the entire custora (sewing group) showed up. With the aid of an interpreter, we worked for over four hours in cramped quarters. Their interest in learning new skills was so rewarding. I felt a true sense of accomplishment to watch them repeat and use everything they had learned."
Ruth Lange, volunteer & sewing instructor"The people of Nicaragua and especially those in Amatitan are the most enchanted I have ever known. When people who have the least, share the most, it is an inspiring demonstration of humanity."
Janna Dodge, teacher - volunteer"The people of Amatitan had the biggest impact on me. They were content with their life and never complained about the hardship of their daily lives. They were always surrounded by friends or family and shared a deep love for one another. This sense of family was evident throughout our trip and even the children were quick to share a new toy with their friends. I will never forget a single face or smile…"
Diane Kruse, student volunteer"The people of Nicaragua are the happiest I have ever seen. There sense of community and sharing was incredible. I remember seeing 7 children working together to color one page of a coloring book. I could not believe the connection I felt with all the people, especially in Amatitan. We didn't even speak the same language, so there was minimal communications and yet I was still crying when I left these people because just being with them was enough."
Stacey Lembo, student volunteer"My best memory is the time spent with the children of Nicaragua, to see how happy they were with the smallest things. Playing ball or coloring a book may not seem like a big deal to us but it was so much fun for them."
Chrissy Walsh, student volunteer"When leaving Amatitan, I had so many mixed emotions. While I was saying goodbye, my heart was in turmoil. I was so happy for my experience and the emotional connections I made with the people. However, I wasn't ready to leave. Even though this trip has come to an end, my commitment to this community and the people has just begun."
Devon Maxwell, teacher - volunteer" Due to a flight delay and difficulty renting vehicles, we were about 4 hours late arriving in Amatitan. We were surprised to see a large crowd waiting to greet us. They had no idea how delayed our group would be but they were eager to wait for us. The sincere warmth of their greeting touched all of us. I met a young boy who had dropped out of school because he could not afford the supplies. When I asked how much the supplies cost, he said $10.00. I gave him the $10.00 so he could go to school for the remainder of the year and he was back in class the next day. He ran over and hugged his grandmother to share the good news. Ten dollars was all it took to change his life. I was amazed how such a small gesture brought incredible joy to this boy and his family."
Jack Fitzgerald, teacher - volunteer"The Nicaraguan people touched me the most. Their spirit of sharing and pure love confirmed for me God's presence among these people. I felt the way they live with bliss and contentment must be the way God intends us all to be. It renewed my spirit to be among these incredible people."
Nicole "Nikki" Goberdhar - student volunteer"What struck me the most about this trip was an extreme feeling of love. I found a deep appreciation for the knowledge I acquired over the 18 years of my life and for the one week in a different world, Amatitan. I feel I have learned more about the sanctity of life and the joy of living in this one week than in the rest of my life."
Jaklyn VanManen - student volunteer"I came to Nicaragua with many reservations about the hardships and inconveniences we would face but these quickly faded. It was replaced with an appreciation for the people of Nicaragua. I returned to New York with a renewed spirit and determined to work harder for these incredible people."
Carolyn Flaherty - volunteer"Being in a place so distant from all that is familiar. Feeling the oppressive heat and dust; viewing the people, the poverty, and their need in every direction; to suddenly, feel a child approaching from behind me, ever so gently, place a small warm hand into mine, just took my breath away. Not able to speak each other's language but gazing deeply into each others' eyes, gave me a sense of hope and renewed purpose for all those dear people. Most of all, it left within me a deeper understanding of what brotherhood is all about. Go there and feel it for yourself. You will never regret it."
Anne Lawshe, volunteer, A Fifth Time Traveler
Our
Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish
53 Prospect Road
Centerport, NY 11721
Phone:
(631) 757-8184
Fax: (631) 757-8181
E-mail: rectory@olqmparish.org
© 2008