Nicaragua has recently been battered by two hurricanes in rapid succession. Hurricane Eta caused extensive damage along the Caribbean coast before inflicting far greater damage on Gautemala. Hurricane Iota hit the already-saturated land causing mudslides, flooding and extensive damage to central Nicaragua including the communities we support in Teustepe. We received this update from Olivia Lekel from our partner CEPAD.

“On 18th June we received the desperately sad news that our good friend, partner and inspiration Gilberto Aguirre (El Profe), had passed away. He had been rushed into hospital for emergency throat cancer surgery in the middle of May and unfortunately, complications arose after this.” Garth Hewitt writes of the life of Gilberto Aguirre from CEPAD in Nicaragua.

Dámaris E. Albuquerque and Gilberto Aguirre will be joining us in the UK this September to talk about the work of CEPAD and of what the call for climate justice means in Nicaragua. Katie Hagley spoke to them ahead of their visit.

In our May Nicaragua update you can find out how you can join our Nicaragua Adventure in 2020, read Amos Trust’s Director Chris Rose’s reflections on the changes in Teustepe over the last 5 years, hear from CEPAD director Dámaris Albuquerque and find out about where you can see Dámaris and Gilberto when they visit the UK this Autumn.

18-year-old Millie Rose, who first visited Nicaragua in 2015, is spending 4 months working in CEPAD’s office before starting an International Development course at Portsmouth University. We asked her to share a little about her impressions of CEPAD’s work — particularly after the recent flooding and the political situation.