At our meeting on July 12, Jim Kite gave us an update on the situation on Nicaragua where the country is in crisis. As a result of years of corrupt practices by president Ortega, he has angered the elderly, the students, the business community and even his own party. over 300 people have been murdered during peaceful protests by Ortega's men. As a result, the whole country's roads have been blocked off and no trucks or shipping can bring supplies into the country. Some supplies can be flown in, but can't be distributed because all major highways are blockaded. As a result people can't get medical treatment and many who already live hand-to-mouth are starving.Jim says that we can help by sending money that can be wired-in so that basic foods can be purchased from local farmers within the country and distributed through back roads in small pickups, off of the main highways to people who need it. This can be done through the 501C3 organization Hope and Relief International that Jim and other Rotarians set up several years ago to help build schools and hospitals in Nicaragus. If Rotarians Want to help they can send money to Jim payable to HOPE AND RELIEF INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION 10700 Gerke Rd, Brenham, TX 77833.

For more information on the crisis: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44779257