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December 25, 2007

Mission of Hope helping struggling Nicaraguans

By RACHAEL OSBORNE

PLATTSBURGH -- People in Nicaragua can't seem to catch a break.

"The food shortage isn't getting better. The water purification isn't getting better," said Mission of Hope Executive Director Sister Debbie Blow.

"People there continue to be pounded by natural disaster."

Hurricane Felix rocked the fragile country in September, displacing hundreds of thousands.

And a tropical depression dumped 6 inches of rain each day for 15 days on the struggling country in October and November.

These conditions have increased the risk of disease and decreased the availability of food and water within the villages.

But, Blow said, they still have hope.

Mission of Hope provides emergency relief to suffering Nicaraguans, as well as helping them develop long-term sustainability.

In January, a team of five volunteers, including Blow, will travel there to set up for the annual February trip.

This year, an average-size group of 47 people from the area will go to Nicaragua for the week-long mission trip.

Kristin Gagnier, a Spanish teacher at Seton Catholic who is also part of the January advance-preparation team, will go with doctors to people's homes and help translate for the medical outreach program.

Gagnier has been going to Nicaragua with the Mission of Hope since 2001.

Blow said that during the January trip they will help distribute the more than 20,000 pounds of supplies that were recently shipped to Corinto, Nicaragua.

She said community support has increased tremendously this year.

Students at Seton Catholic recently raised nearly $700 for the Children Feeding Children program, which Blow said will provide 2,800 meals to kids.

"The bottom line is, without the Mission of Hope, children will not be fed."

Franklin Academy's React club donated about $500 to build a home shelter for a family in Nicaragua.

"They did a fundraiser and donated the money to us, and we will be building it for them," Blow said.

St. Mary's Mission Center in Champlain gave $1,000, which will help the Children of the Divine Orphanage. And the annual art auction hosted by Clinton Community College this month raised more than $1,000 for the general Mission of Hope fund.

Blow said the best thing people can do to help is be aware of and sensitive to people's needs in Nicaragua and offer monetary donations and prayers.

People can also donate daily vitamins for children and the elderly, as students and faculty at Seton Catholic have been doing with their vitamin drive.

She said that in order for parasite medications to work, people need to take vitamins and iron, as well.

There is always going to be a struggle in Nicaragua, Blow said, "but at all times, we are called to bring hope.

"We are bringing hope into desperate situations and making room in the inn," she said, in reference to the Christmas story.

rosborne@pressrepublican.com

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