Achuapa and LaGartillo

It's easy to overlook the small towns in Nicaragua, because they are way out in the "campo," but our delegation was lucky to be introduced to Achuapa and LaGartillo. Both towns were once harshly hit by the Contra war but are now rebuilding their strength, schooling systems, and economies. The regrowth has proven to be difficult, but these pueblos have managed to get by, maintaining their pure culture and kind populations of people.

Interacting with children, farmers, co-operative workers, natural medicine women (to the left), and musicians brought us all to the realization that Nicaragua is stronger than we ever knew. Its people have endured insurmountable traumas and yet are still trucking along, even after seeing their families and towns destroyed.

I was touched most by the women of whom we spoke with, all of who display the pain of war and loss in their aged faces, but still diligently work to rebuild their communities while raising families. The Womens Movement is the most powerful and influential political movement in Nicaragua, and this fact is evident by the spirits of the women in Achuapa and LaGartillo.