Sheffield Esteli Society Bike Ride and Walk 2025

This bike ride and walk , which has been in existance for over 38 years raises money for Esteli , which has been Sheffield’s twin town for over 40 years and also for a project in Matagalpa in Nicaragua . These projects have supported a wide range of projects from drinking water, to arts and the building of a library . The Society currently supports a music , arts and English language projects in Esteli and in Matagalpa a music project for children with learning disabilities .

Since Ortegas re-election in 2007 things have deteriorated for people in the country and in 2011 Ortega changed the constitution in order to be re-elected. As things worsened there was a civil uprising in 2018 due to changes to social security. As a result of the civil up rising, Ortega's government were responsible for:

• 350 people killed.

• 1000’s injured and denied treatment in

public hospitals

• 1000’s of the opposition, priests , journalists and community leaders were imprisoned and tortured on trumped-up charges. With no contact with their families or lawyers, & trials held in secret. Later they were released and stripped of nationality, & assets and put into forced exile.

• 400,000 have sought asylum who feared for their lives.

• demonstrations were made illegal

• closed down and confiscated nearly all NGO’s including the office of the 4 twin towns we were connected too. In the Election of 2021 no outside international observers were allowed into Nicaragua for the election. Only 20%-30% of the population voted, government workers who were afraid of losing their jobs.

The bike rides will start at Ecclesall Park and from 8am with the walk staring at 10.30 There will be a pop up cafe selling lovely drinks and cakes so come and join us in the park ! https://sheffieldestelisociety.org.uk/