party!

On Friday we had a party at the centro. A woman who has supported the centro financially for over 14 years came to visit. Gustavo's band Nectawara played, we ate delicious food and danced. It was really interesting getting Jean's perspective on the history of AMUCOBU. Doña Esmeralda was going to move to Miami to find work 14 years ago, but Jean thought that it was crazy for her to leave the neighborhood, where she was such an important community leader, so she told Doña Esmeralda that she'd fund her salary. Also, for the past few years she has been funding the medical post through her own fundraising. She holds multiple fundraisers throughout the year, such as bailathons and house concerts, where all music and services are donated and 100% of the proceeds go to the centro. This she does in her spare time, as her day job is a neuropsychologist. It's amazing to hear the stories of gringas who have been working in solidarity with Nicaraguans since the 80's and makes me want to do an oral history research project talking with them and the people they have collaborated with... Maybe something for grad school?