Sending Support & Love to Ometepe
Donation protected
My beautiful friends the Arguello-Mairena family are lifelong residents of the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua, and are in a very tough spot. With all work having dried-up due to the pandemic, and zero financial assistance from the corrupt Nicaraguan government, they now have neither the income nor savings to get through the month, let alone the next several months, or however long this all may last. This fundraiser is to help keep the family fed, clothed, and surviving this crazy time with some measure of dignity.
I became friends with Jhon and Maria Teresa, and their children Sheimy and Johis (little Emmi was not yet born) close to a decade ago, when I spent several weeks in their village painting a mural on the ceiling of a school bus, and performing with a street circus. The kids would come across the street everyday for impromptu art classes, and we even made some fun music videos together. Over time, I ended up becoming good friends with the whole family. Have you ever encountered extra-special people on your travels (or right at home)? Kind, generous, bright, and with a spirit of loving presence? These are those people.
The coronavirus has hit Central America hard, and the Nicaraguan government's mishandling of the pandemic has been one of the world's most erratic and irresponsible. Doctors risk losing their jobs for speaking honestly about the reality, even while community transmission is rampant and many lives are being lost. There has to date been no official shut-down, although many people are doing their best to stay safe on their own.
Under normal circumstances, proud papa Jhon supports his family from the sales of his amazing sculptures, statues, jewelry, furniture, and other creations to tourists visiting his idyllic home isle. But with all the visitors having returned to their home countries this past March, his ability to provide for his wife, two adolescents, and a toddler is no longer tenable. Anything you can contribute will be deeply appreciated! The systemic economic injustice at the root won't be corrected, but helping one family is still very meaningful!
You can donate directly through this campaign, or if you prefer:
Venmo @INKYRHYTHM
Cashapp: $INKYRHYTHM
or PayPal.Me/inkyrhythm
* 100% to the family (except for the unfortunate platform fees involved)
I became friends with Jhon and Maria Teresa, and their children Sheimy and Johis (little Emmi was not yet born) close to a decade ago, when I spent several weeks in their village painting a mural on the ceiling of a school bus, and performing with a street circus. The kids would come across the street everyday for impromptu art classes, and we even made some fun music videos together. Over time, I ended up becoming good friends with the whole family. Have you ever encountered extra-special people on your travels (or right at home)? Kind, generous, bright, and with a spirit of loving presence? These are those people.
The coronavirus has hit Central America hard, and the Nicaraguan government's mishandling of the pandemic has been one of the world's most erratic and irresponsible. Doctors risk losing their jobs for speaking honestly about the reality, even while community transmission is rampant and many lives are being lost. There has to date been no official shut-down, although many people are doing their best to stay safe on their own.
Under normal circumstances, proud papa Jhon supports his family from the sales of his amazing sculptures, statues, jewelry, furniture, and other creations to tourists visiting his idyllic home isle. But with all the visitors having returned to their home countries this past March, his ability to provide for his wife, two adolescents, and a toddler is no longer tenable. Anything you can contribute will be deeply appreciated! The systemic economic injustice at the root won't be corrected, but helping one family is still very meaningful!
You can donate directly through this campaign, or if you prefer:
Venmo @INKYRHYTHM
Cashapp: $INKYRHYTHM
or PayPal.Me/inkyrhythm
* 100% to the family (except for the unfortunate platform fees involved)
Organizer
Ivy Up Klipstein
Organizer
Burlington, VT
