Why Nicaragua?

In 1983, Pat McCully, a middle school teacher in California, found herself discussing with her students the shocking news reports about illegal US-funded military support of the Contra insurgent forces in Nicaragua, The daily press coverage revealed attacks by the Contras on innocent civilians, and on the democratically-elected government that had just successfully overthrown a brutal dictator, Anastacio Somoza.When a student challenged her understanding of the news reports by asking, "How do you know? You've never even been there," Ms McCully decided to go to Nicaragua during her Christmas vacation and see for herself.Thus began an adventure that decided the direction of her life for the next three decades. Overwhelmed by the conditions she found everywhere in the war-ravaged country, she returned home to her family and career with a new mission in life. She began to collect donated materials, and returned again and again to teach brave women in remote villages how to use treadle sewing machines to clothe themselves and their children. The project evolved into a sponsorship program that has allowed more than 125 desperately poor girls to attend schools and become assets to their communities. Among the girls whose stories are recounted here are agricultural engineers, MBA's, CPA's, nurses, pharmacists, and a medical doctor.In the small town of Jinotega, the non-profit foundation she established, Círculo de Amigas, has created a public park and the only lending library in northern Nicaragua, and it now provides a full-time tutor and a psychologist to help the children overcome destitution and family violence so they can successfully pursue their education.