Help Rebuild a Peaceful Nicaragua

*****JULY 19th (3) Month UPDATE:  HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION *****


+403 Killed
+2500 Injured
+246 Missing / Disappeared


HOW DO WE REBUILD A PEACEFUL NICARAGUA?

I feel we start from the ground up and create a strong and solid foundation from which to grow.  As Nicaragua begins to re-structure, we have many ideas and visions for a peaceful Nicaragua but I want to highlight a few of these to start our campaign. 

1. Immediate resources for food, fuel & medical supplies

2. Implementation of Clean-Up crews after this Peaceful Revolution is over

3. The increased access of AcroYoga (Meditation & Yoga) in affected communities

4. Creation of Trauma Relief personnel who will help those affected during this crisis

5. Implementation of Permaculture Design in affected communities


WHAT HAVE WE ALREADY DONE TO SUPPORT?

- We have provided countless hours in outreach to those in need via online and on the ground.
- Support and assistance for those with mental and emotional needs during this crises.
- Provided used camera and video equipment to those on the front line to document the atrocities.
- Personally documented and interviewed individuals in the line of fire and in harms way.
- Donated packaged and ready made food to University students and those at the barricades.
- Donated Medical supplies to the Catholic Church (Cathedral) who have been attending the wounded.
- Purchase of fuel & driver costs for transportation in and out of Managua to reach the  affected areas.
- Donation at the Local Zoo for the animals who are being left without care.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Nicaragua is broken down into (17) Departments.  As there are blockades that are restricting some passage throughout the country, we aim to bring needed supplies to those who are on the front lines.  Our goal is to reach all the different departments if we can and providing more to those who have been hit the hardest during these past few weeks. 

Our immediate needs at this time are Food and Medical Supplies.

Any amount you donate will go a long way to seeing this vision of a peaceful Nicaragua.  We ask that you give what you can as this will go directly to those in need. 

If there is something specific you would like to send in terms of books, clothing and other supplies, please feel free to contact me directly via links below.  Anything at this time is greatly appreciated as we rebuild a peaceful Nicaragua.

HOW WILL ADDITIONAL RESOURCES BE MANAGED?

Please refer to #2 and #3 above.

We have already started and continue to share the practice of Meditation, Yoga and Acroyoga to those affected.  As stress and anxiety is running high due to this crises, we want to minimize the stress as this increasing with the level of fear and panic during this time of crises.


WHAT IS ACROYOGA NICARAGUA?

We are a commUNITY dedicated to the cultivation of global communication.  We see this practice as a tool for self-discovery and to share with others.  This practice allows us to work on our communication, listening and building trust and confidence in ourselves and in others.  We combine many elements of mindfulness, breathing and playfulness which allows us to find inner peace.  This practice fully embodies the wisdom of Yoga.

As a group, we will continue to show our support and solidarity with the Nicaraguan people and all of those who are oppressed around the world.

AcroYoga Revolution Album
https://www.facebook.com/alcaldeanthony/media_set?set=a.10216556556530855.1073741949.1366897002&type=3

AcroYoga Nicaragua Group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/296422923887236/


Peaceful Protest March -  May 2018


Peaceful Meditation w/ UNAN Students - May 2018


WHAT IS PERMACULTURE DESIGN?

Permaculture is a system of agricultural and social design principles centered around simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems.  What we have observed in the past few weeks is a level of food shortages during the blockades that have take place around the country.  In implementing the simplest forms of permaculture, we can create a self-sustainable system for the people of Nicaragua.  This will allow them to be prepared for these types of situations and potential catastrophic emergencies in the future.  Are aim is to create abundance in all of the following areas.

- Vegetable Gardens
- Medical Gardens
- Fruit Trees
- Reforestation



WHO IS ANTHONY ALCALDE?

Anthony Alcalde began his journey as a healer and teacher in 1998. He currently teaches various styles of Yoga in Nicaragua and Internationally. As a yoga, acroyoga instructor, thai yoga practitioner and movement educator, he finds balance through giving and receiving.

Anthony is also an accountant, public speaker, and an award winning documentary filmmaker. From his work you will see his passion for social justice issues and the relationship it has to his country of heritage.



Anthony is raising these funds because he believes and sees a bright future for Nicaragua.  He has been on the front lines reporting and assisting those who are less fortunate and in need of help.  He knows that there is lots of hope in the future and young people of Nicaragua.  He is dedicated to seeing this vision as he continues to share his practice of Yoga and Meditation with the commUNITY.


He is already at peace with himself and believes in creating a peaceful Nicaragua one donation at a time.

Lets help Anthony achieve this goal.

www.anthonyalcalde.com
IG: @anthonyalcalde


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FOR MORE INFORMATION,  PLEASE CONTINUE TO READ BELOW:

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WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY?

The protests against the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, began on April 12 when hundreds of university students took to the streets to march in defense of Nicaragua’s Indio Maíz Biological Reserve.  The slow response from the government, allowed a forest fire rage out of control for nine days in southern Nicaragua scorching about 13,500 acres (5,500 hectares).

Six days later, the protest grew to thousands of people, as students joined a larger pushback against Ortega's attempt to increase social-security taxes and reduce pension benefits for the elderly.



HOW DID IT ALL START?

The crisis started rather unexpectedly when pro-government gangs violently crushed a small demonstration against reforms to Nicaragua's pension system announced on the 18th of  April, 2018.  

These pro-government groups, popularly known as "grupos de choque" (shock forces) had in the past been used to repress anti-government protests and had discouraged many Nicaraguans disgruntled with President Ortega from taking to the streets.



WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE?

The regional human rights body, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), says at least 127 people have been killed and thousands injured as the protests have grown and attempts to suppress them intensified. 

The country is littered with roadblocks and barricades.  There are almost daily reports of clashes turning lethal - with protesters blaming the security forces and "shock forces" for the violence, while the authorities accuse "specific political groups" of liasing with criminal gangs of spreading chaos.

Human rights groups have warned that Nicaragua is "quickly and dangerously slipping back into some of the darkest times it has seen in decades".



MOTHERS DAY MARCH - MAY 30

The ugliest day so far was May 30, Mother’s Day in Nicaragua, when AK-47–toting police indiscriminately opened fire on a peaceful march to honor the dead. As police sprayed the crowd with bullets, government sharpshooters positioned on the roof of the national baseball stadium went headhunting with sniper rifles. Before the sun rose, 16 more Nicaraguans were dead, and another 88 were injured.



WHO ARE THE PROTESTERS?

University students are at the forefront of the protests but the movement prides itself on having the support of Nicaraguans from all walks of life and of all political affiliations. 

Demonstrations have been held across Nicaragua, including in some strongholds of the governing party, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)

The Catholic Church and Nicaragua's business sector have also joined in calls for early elections.



IS THERE HOPE FOR NICARAGUA?

If there is any bright spot for Nicaragua, it’s the student-led movement. Their bravery, solidarity, and leadership in the nationwide push for justice and democracy has inspired a nation. And despite the death and destruction, it’s a movement fueled by optimism—the burning hope that Nicaragua can become a democracy and that better days lie ahead. It may seem like a distant fantasy in a season of turmoil and destruction, but it’s the hope that keeps people in the streets.


If you made it to the end, I sincerely appreciate your time and concern. 

Yes, we do believe there is HOPE for a PEACEFUL NICARAGUA in the near future.


HOW WILL DONATIONS BE MANAGED?

- We have a trusted friend / beneficiary of the funds in New York - Isa Nicole Wooster who will be administering the account as Nicaragua is not one of the supported countries on the GoFundMe list. 

- She will be forwarding the funds to our Account here in Managua to make sure we can get the funds readily available for use to those in need.  As sometimes our bank transfer takes a few days, there might be a delay in processing but work on the ground will continue.

- The funds will be spent immediately on food and medical supplies.  We have certain stores who we are partnering with such as Pricesmart, La Colonia & Pali to help with discounts on bulk purchases. 

- All receipts will be retained in order to insure proper accounting of these donations.