“It’s important my kids get to go to school. I’m relieved to see that they are learning more and more everyday. I try to support them but it’s hard because I never went to school myself. Sometimes they ask me to help them with their homework but I just don’t have the answers to their questions. The only thing I tell them is to trust on their instincts then they often respond with: ‘Mum, you just never know the answers’.”

Nicaragua – Matagalpa

“Last year, I went to school for the first time in my life.”
“What did you learn there?”
“To read letters.”
“What is the best thing about knowing how to read?”
“That nobody can lie to you.”

Nicaragua – Jinotega

“For five years I visited her house. I was very much in love but her father did not approve. I used to make up all kinds of excuses just to be around her. One day I collected all my courage and asked for her hand. He didn’t thought she wanted to marry me so he joked and said that he would approve as long as his daughter agreed. To his surprise she said yes. Now we have 13 children, 30 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.”

Nicaragua – Jinotega

“He was very romantic with me. When we were young he always sang these songs that involved my name, which is Miriam. After the Sandinistas came they took all his money and belongings. It was such a big tragedy for him that he developed a terrible drinking problem. He didn’t live much longer after that. I have been a widow for over twenty-two years and I never fell in love again, he’s the only one for me.”

Nicaragua – Laguna de Apoyo