The Thurston-Santo Tomás Sister County Association welcomes its 9th Community Delegation from Santo Tomás, Nicaragua

author : topic : Committee for Community Development | sister city | Santo Tomás | Nicaragua

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Olympia’s sister city relationship with Santo Tomás, Chontales, Nicaragua, has its roots in the era of the Contra War in the 1980s. It strives to engender peace and heal the effects of U.S. aggression and economic oppression through people-to-people exchanges and community development.

The Thurston-Santo Tomás Sister County Association collaborates with the Committee for Community Development (CDC) in Santo Tomás to help sustain multiple community projects: its intent is to support self-determination and self-sufficiency for the Nicaraguan people. Over the years there have been many delegations between our two communities: working, living, and sharing experience across distances of geography, language, and culture. This is a two-way relationship grounded in citizen diplomacy.

This year four delegates from Santo Tomás will live with local families, work with community projects in their areas of interest and expertise, and make several public appearances.

Please come welcome these four sister county delegates from Nicaragua at our four public events!

Griselda Escobar is the principal of Rubén Darío Elementary School. She is an advocate for children and will be working with Lincoln Elementary, Rubén Darío’s sister school of nine years. Griselda anticipates exchanges of ideas and teaching methodologies with her counterparts at Lincoln. She is excited about meeting the Lincoln students, staff and families. She is the fourth teacher to visit from Santo Tomás; there have been four teachers from Lincoln to spend time at their sister school in Nicaragua.

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 through a micro-credit lending project. She is also a member of the Water Commission in Santo Tomás, which seeks resolution to critical shortages of water (potable or otherwise) every year. She is eager to meet with the Washington State Organic Certification Program and to learn about more micro-credit structures and opportunities.

Bernys Ramos is Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the CDC in Santo Tomás. He is an accomplished D.J. and owns his own business as well as being a Literacy Program Coordinator in the new national campaign to eradicate illiteracy. He says that he had no idea that there are literacy programs in the U.S.; he looks forward to connecting with Proyecto CIELO in Olympia and Mason County Literacy in Shelton. He is also interested in activist youth movements in the U.S.

Wilfredo Espinoza is a university professor in language, literature and history, a farmworker who sought education as a means for creating change. He is a published author and poet and will be doing a reading of his work while in Olympia (May 5th) as well as connecting with at-risk youth, one of his many interests. He identifies himself as a staunch defender of nature and is committed to supporting young people in accessing information about their culture, to foster a connection with themselves and their roots.

“Cuando Venga La Paz–

When Peace Comes”

Friday May 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Please join our potluck dinner with the Santo Tomás community delegation and hear perspectives from our sister county in Nicaragua. Great family

event! In Saint John’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Way and 20th Street, Olympia. For more information: Jean Eberhardt (360) 943-8642.

Poets Look South

Monday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Artists Look South, a project of Olympia area artists, will highlight an evening of poetry by Santo Tomas visitor Wilfredo Espinoza, along with Maritza Soledad Sanchez of Mujeres in Motion. In the Mixx 96 meeting room on the corner of State and Washington in Olympia; donations welcome.

For more information: Lee Miller (360) 753-0942.

Climate Change: Two world views… Santo Tomás and Olympia

Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m.

Explore climate change and sustainability issues with Climate Solutions and the delegates from Nicaragua. Great family event! 6pm Kids, Art and a kid-friendly conversation about solutions to climate change. 7:00 to 8:30 Open discussion with visitors from Santo Tomás, NicaraguaTraditions Café at 5th and Water Street in downtown Olympia. For more information: Beth Doglio (360) 570-8804.

Baile Los Dos Pueblos: Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, y Pop

Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Shake it with D.J. Bernys from Nicaragua & Oly’s own D.J. Dalya. Salsa and merengue lessons at 7:30 with Alejandro Rugarcia, followed by dancing at 9:00. $10 with lessons, $7 from 9:00 on. In the old K-Records space across from Fish Brew Pub in Olympia–enter on Cherry Street near Legion Way.

We invite you to get involved with our long-time sister county relationship! There are many ways you can help out and spend time with our visitors from Santo Tomás–we always welcome new faces. We have year-round events, meetings, and fun. Keep an eye out for our latest newsletter with bi-lingual mini-autobiographies from the delegates. Consider becoming part of a community delegation to Santo Tomás, Nicaragua. For more information call Emily Calhoun at (360) 480-8720 or write TSTSCA PO Box 561 Olympia, WA 98507.