Nicaraguan delegation to visit, present in Olympia

author : Olympia Civil Liberties Resource topic : tstsca | ALBA | Nicaragua

by Grace Cox

Simón Bolívar, Ernesto Che Guevara, Augusto Cesar Sandino are but three of the revolutionary heroes of Latin America who held one belief in common – that the people of Latin America are one people. Unity of Latin America, from the southwestern United States to Tierra del Fuego, is the foundation upon which can be built self-determination and freedom from European and US imperialism. Hundreds of years of foreign exploitation, military intervention, revolution and counter-revolution make the statement, “these are tumultuous times in Latin America” a tautology.

While the US is militarily over-extended invading and occupying the Middle East, and the myth of the US free democratic election system is exposed for the fraud that it is, Latin Americans are turning out in droves to elect progressive leaders that stand for independence and solidarity. Evo Morales, Hugo Chavez, and Daniel Ortega, with the support of Fidel & Raul Castro, are leading Latin America in the development of ALBA, the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas. In direct opposition to free trade agreements that protect US economic domination and global capitalism, ALBA represents economic self-determination. At the ALBA summit in Caracas January 25–26 of this year, ALBA members announced the creation of a regional development bank intended to strengthen their alliance and promote independence from US-backed lenders like the World Bank.

Last July, while in Nicaragua to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the liberation of Nicaragua from the Somoza family dictatorship, Hugo Chavez broke ground on the first of three new power plants to help reduce the electrical crisis that has plagued Nicaragua for more than a year. This kind of aid, without the strings of structural adjustment attached to aid from the World Bank and the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), is exactly the kind of international support Nicaragua needs to begin to take small steps out of poverty, hunger and illiteracy.

Bringing it Home

Here in the US we must embrace the task of building solidarity with Latin America. Turning the spotlight on US intervention, including propaganda designed to terrorize the people of Latin America, we have to hold on to the reality that we have more in common with each other, across all borders, than we’ll ever have with William Walker, Teddy Roosevelt (or Franklin, for that matter), Ronald Reagan or either of the George Bushes.

For over 18 years, Thurston-Santo Tomás Sister County Association (tstsca)has worked for the mutual benefit of Santo Tomás, Chontales, Nicaragua, and Olympia. We work directly with the Committee for Community Development, a non-profit organization that sponsors the Children’s Free Lunch Program, the People’s Clinic, a farm, a night school, a library and a newly launched economic project designed to provide small development loans and education for small cattle farms. TSTSCA supports a sister school relationship between Lincoln Elementary and Escuela Rubén Darío. TSTSCA also sponsors delegations to and from Santo Tomás; more than 100 people from all walks of life in Olympia have lived and worked in Santo Tomás, while more than 20 Tomasinos have visited Olympia.

Getting to know the delegates

tstsca is thrilled to announce our upcoming ninth delegation to Olympia from Santo Tomás, Chontales, Nicaragua. Visiting from April 23-May 13, our four delegates will make several public appearances in the Olympia area as well as working with various projects to share expertise and experiences.

Griselda Escobar is the principal of Rubén Dario Elementary School. She is an advocate for children and serves on the City Council Commission for the Rights of Children. While in Olympia Griselda will be working with the faculty and students of Lincoln Elementary School as well as visiting Roosevelt Elementary to support the development of a new sister school relationship.

Bernys Sanchez is currently employed as a Literacy Program Coordinator for the Ministry of Education in Chontales. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Committee for Community Development and has served as an electoral technician in each of Nicaragua’s elections since 2000. He owns a sound productions business (Disco Movíl) and is an accomplished D.J. See below for opportunities to dance to Bernys’ music! Additionally, Bernys will be visiting various literacy programs in the region.

Gladys Prieto is a retired nurse and health care administrator. She has served in many capacities with the CDC, and currently is the Coordinator of the Economic Project, working with small farmers and producers. She also serves on the Water Commission for the municipality of Santo Tomás. Gladys will be visiting a number of social projects in Western Washington and working with the state Department of Agriculture Organic Certification Program.

Wilfredo Lazo is a university professor in language, literature and history. He is a published author and poet. His personal pursuits include an environmental awareness program for youth to encourage pride in their history and culture. He is also working to encourage Santo Tomás to build a museum to preserve the many indigenous artifacts he has found hiking in the Chontales region. Wilfredo will be presenting a poetry reading (see below) and working with at-risk youth while in Olympia.

Join the delegates

tstsca has a number of opportunities for you to meet the delegates.

Monday, May 5: Poetry and more! We’ll be joining with Artists Look South, a project of Olympia area artists, to enjoy an evening of poetry by Wilfredo Lazo. (7:00 p.m., donations welcome.) In the Mixx 96 meeting room on the corner of State and Washington in downtown Olympia.

Thursday, May 8: Carbon Footprints: Olympia & Santo Tomás, Nicaragua – 6 pm, Traditions Café. Explore climate change and sustainability issues with Climate Solutions and the delegates from Nicaragua. Join the Mother’s Day 1Sky call for bold solutions to combat climate change. Great family event! For more information call Beth Doglio (360) 570-8804.

Saturday, May 10: Join DJ Bernys & Oly’s own DJ Dalya for Baile Eclectica, a night of Latin dancing. Join us at 7:30 pm for salsa and meringue lessons, followed at 9 by the opportunity to show off what you’ve learned, or develop your own free-style dance. In the old K Records space across from Fish Brew Pub, enter on Cherry Street. $10 with lessons, $7 from 9 on.

We are also planning a fabulous Nica-style dinner the weekend of May 2–4. Watch for more information!

For other opportunities to connect with our delegates:

April 26: Join us for the Procession of the Species. We’ll be camped out on Capitol Way on the Sylvester Park side. We’ll be with the people wearing heavy coats and blankets!

April 27 (weather permitting): Come with us to the mountain! We’ll be heading up to Mount Rainier for a day of wonder, snow and sledding. We plan to leave Olympia at 8:30 am. Call by April 20 to reserve space: 943-8642.