April 26th, 2018
To all of our AMOS Friends,
We would like to share another update with you on the situation in Nicaragua. However, first we would like to express our deep gratitude for the overwhelming number of messages we have received filled with prayers, hope, and love for Nicaragua and AMOS after our first update to you on Monday. Your ongoing support and kind words in these difficult moments for the country have touched us and continue to encourage and strengthen us.As explained in our previous update about the situation in Nicaragua, reforms that significantly increased social security taxes were the breaking point for protests all over the country that led to violent clashes, and sadly, the loss of lives. Most of the violence was in urban centers, far from the communities in which AMOS does most of its work, and the community of Nejapa where the AMOS campus is did not have any violence. Last Sunday, President Daniel Ortega revoked the reforms. On Monday, a large, peaceful march took place in Managua with many thousands attending and walking through the city without incident.
Since Monday, there have been no reports of violent demonstrations in the country and on Tuesday leaders from the Catholic Church in Nicaragua have accepted the invitation to be the intermediaries in the national dialogue called for by the Nicaraguan government, which we hope will lead the country to a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.
Starting Tuesday, public transportation, most schools, businesses, and organizations, including AMOS, resumed their operations. We have been in touch with all our staff and health promoters in the rural communities and all are safe and returning to normal activities. However, the health care needs of the rural and urban populations AMOS serves are unchanged by the current political conflict. That is why we ask not only for your support through your thoughts and prayers, but also your continued commitment to AMOS as volunteers or delegations, and your financial contributions. The ministry of AMOS stands for health — but most of all we stand for hope! When you come visit, when you bring a team, when you work alongside us, when you pray for AMOS, when you provide financial support – you provide hope for every child, mom and family in the communities we serve.
Our commitment to you is to communicate openly and honestly about the situation here. We will not conduct any activities that we believe are unsafe for our staff, mission teams, volunteers nor for the community members we serve. We are encouraged by the return of calm to our beloved country but ask your prayers for the dialogue process that is underway. Thank you for being with us at this time and in joining us in our work of saving the lives and improving health of the most vulnerable people. We welcome your comments and questions and plan to provide you with another update in the next few days.
With much love and gratitude,
Dr. David Parajón, Executive Director
Dr. Laura Parajón, Medical Director
On behalf of the AMOS Team