founders
A Changing of the Season
Jon R. Thompson, MSW
Executive Director
Fundación A. Jean Brugger
As a child in Atlanta, I used to chase falling autumn leaves with friends. Spiraling down and floating in every which direction, the foliage shed by the towering oaks and maples entertained us during those golden October and November days. We would see how many we could catch, having been told by our parents that each leaf brought good luck…
These memories came back to me on a recent fundraising trip to Boston, where I had the opportunity to walk through the quaint village of West Newton. The sugar maples were beginning to change color, the outer leaves orange and yellow while the others remained green. In Nicaragua, the seasonal change is a little different. We measure in moisture not in color. Here there are only two seasons: rainy and dry. Our rainy season in Nicaragua typically starts in May and signals the time for planting and cultivation for subsistence farmers, and an end to the cultural activities of Easter. By the end of the rainy season in November, harvests have begun, thoughts turn towards the Christmas holidays, and students start studying for their final exams. This year, however, is different.
2009 has brought incredible economic and environmental change to Nicaragua. For example, the rains never came to San Juan del Sur this year. Down as low as 90% compared to 2008, the entire country is suffering through the worst drought in recent history. The price of staples like rice, beans, and corn has doubled in the last 6 months, and this decrease in supply is driving prices up even further while increasing Nicaragua's reliance on imported goods to feed its people. And needless to say, as food costs rise, Nicaraguan families have less money to invest in their children’s education, health, and development.
Nicaragua’s plight is critical because even in good years, it has been a close 2nd behind Haiti as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. There are no un-employment checks; no stimulus package; little to no savings. Compounding the lack of public support are recent Federal cuts to education which result in fewer institutional scholarships for college students, less resources in the classroom, and higher tuition fees for students already enrolled.
There is a collective sense throughout the country that we are entering a new era of sustained economic, social, and environmental challenges. Traditionally, Nicaraguans turn to each other in times of need. Families gather together and share. Neighbors look out for one another’s children as more mothers leave the house in search of work. Communities look to their local leadership to pull them through. Thus, it is no surprise that Fundación A. Jean Brugger has noticed a sharp increase in requests for assistance. And although we have our own financial constraints to contend with, that does not mean there’s nothing we can do. In fact, it mandates us to do more.
In 2009, Fundación A. Jean Brugger facilitated the scholarships of 52 students which totaled over $80,000 for the year. While many student sponsors opted out of their commitments due to personal financial crises, Fundación A. Jean Brugger created the Graduation Fund to ensure all of these young people remained in college. It was a tall order, but we made it – largely due to the strong support of our core donors.
I’m proud to say, not one of our students dropped out due to lack of funds. By this time next year, 22 of our current students will have graduated college thanks to the Foundation. This past year, we are proud to say that we delivered over $10,000 worth of supplies to local schools, including white boards, backpacks, notebooks, paint and sports equipment. Our Ancianos Program has grown. In 2009 we provided 2,000 lunches to our senior guests and volunteers. We conducted baseball camps benefitting 75 boys and girls, and provided over $3,000 in emergency assistance to local families.
Yet we recognize that 2010 could possibly the most memorable year of the Foundation. Our staff, board of directors, and donors will all play a role in the restructuring of our business plan. Given that our administrative costs are no longer being covered by Piedras y Olas, we have begun strategic revisions from how we raise funds to how we serve lunches. Another noticeable change will be the inclusion of an administrative designation on every grant, donation, and service that comes through our office. We will also be more present in the US, with dedicated staff focused on raising awareness and funds through communications, events, and initiatives aimed at current and potential donors.
Our goals are to offer more opportunities to share our message and provide meaningful ways for others to become involved in support of our work. In other words, we are becoming more pro-active, willing to expand our reach, and embracing change as an opportunity to increase our impact in Nicaragua.
We understand that most change is stressful, if not a bit frightening. However, we are calmed knowing that ours is but a season of transition, that new leaves will grow again come spring and that although bare to the elements during the harshest of winter months, all those fallen leaves caught by others will transform into our good fortune for years to come.
The Short Story of The Simmons Brugger Collaboration
Bonita L. Betters-Reed
I was visiting San Juan del Sur in the late spring of 2007 with my good friend and co-chair of The Union Church in Waban (Newton, Massachusetts) Mission Outreach Committee, Anne Hadley…also with us was Devon Vawter, Anne’s daughter and Ally Reed, my daughter. For many years, our little church in Newton has had a relationship with the community of San Juan del Sur, initially through the Newton Sister City Program. In recent years our Mission Outreach efforts included school supplies and uniform support for The Brugger Foundation. And while Anne and I were in San Juan del Sur, we wanted to better understand the scope of the foundation’s work and see what else we could do to help. So, during our stay at Pelican Eyes, we had several meetings with Jean, Jon Thompson and Chris Berry.
During the last of these meetings, we discussed the Ancianos Program at length and Jean expressed a deep concern for the potential loss of the very rich and endearing history of San Juan del Sur. She shared her perception that most of the history of our beloved town was alive through the memories of the ancianos and that with each year, part of this collective memory was lost when members of our community were no longer with us. I vividly remember her turning to me and asking if I could help her solve this problem through an oral history project perhaps with the help of Simmons students or faculty. Jean knew about my socially minded research on women leaders at the Simmons College School of Management and my passion for case histories…and probably figured this problem would bother me as much as it did her. And if you know Jean Brugger, you know that she speaks from her heart in a most compelling way; especially when she is asking for support of the people of San Juan. Most sane academics would have said, “gee Jean…even though I have the expertise, I don’t speak Spanish and this is a huge problem…but, instead what came out of my mouth was, ‘let me think about it…I am not sure how we will solve this problem, especially since my Spanish is so limited, but, I think we can come up with something.’ I left this meeting with a commitment to Jean and the memory of her smile…
Fast forward to the fall of 2007 and I am back at Simmons College having lunch with a friend and colleague, Mary Jane Treacy on a completely unrelated topic, when I start talking about the Brugger Foundation and a promise that I made to Jean Brugger. I consulted with Dr. Treacy about conducting an oral history project with the elderly of San Juan del Sur and how that it might be done…we considered several options and it really boiled down to the fact that I first and foremost needed to partner with a Spanish speaking researcher who would be willing to work with me on this oral history project…so, I vividly remember asking Mary Jane, ‘do you know anyone who has all of the expertise I need in this partnership?’ And, I couldn’t believe my good fortune when Mary Jane raised her hand – yes, she literally raised her hand…which I took as yes, that would be me. Then if you read Mary Jane’s version of this story…the next thing she knew, she was on an airplane to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua…but I can assure you that although I moved rather quickly to get going on our project, we had many long discussions about how to proceed and even put together a tentative research plan. I let Jean, Jon Thompson and Chris Berry know that I had found just the right person to help me make this dream of an ancianos oral history project come true…and that we really needed to get to San Juan together so Mary Jane could meet everyone there.
The best time to return to San Juan del Sur with my new research partner seemed to be when Devon Vawter would be there to help with her Senior year service project with the May Ancianos luncheon. Jon Thompson had graciously agreed to help Devon with this service project and as Devon’s service learning sponsor, I had wanted to be there for her and the luncheon. So Devon (and of course Ally) went to San Juan to help plan for the luncheon…Mary Jane and I came in time for the actual luncheon…and during this wonderful affair, our oral history project was announced to the Ancianos. Over the course of our stay, and with the help of Jean, Jon, Chris and Kathy Knight, we visited the homes of several of our ancianos families and Mary Jane was able to conduct a few preliminary interviews. And by the time we returned to Boston, we knew our work was really cut out for us…but we also knew that the Ancianos Oral History Project of the San Juan del Sur was a reality.
Oral History Project
For years, both Chris Berry and Jean Brugger have wanted to be involved in a project that would capture the rich history and diverse culture of San Juan del Sur, particularly through our Ancianos' Program. Last year a friend of Fundación A. Jean Brugger, Bonita Betters-Reed, found out about this and became interested in the idea. She proceeded to propose a project with her colleague at Simmons College, Mary Jane Treacy, to interview the ancianos and put a book together to use in Nicaraguan high schools. Since then, Bonita and Mary Jane have visited San Juan del Sur twice, interviewing participants of our Ancianos' Program. During their last visit, in January 2009, two of our students accompanied the professors on their interviews. Here is what they had to say:
María Soledad Beer Gonzales - Sponsored student studying psychology:
“Recently in San Juan del Sur we had a visit from two North Americans, Mary Jean Treacy and Bonita Betters-Reed, who together with the members of Fundación A. Jean Brugger are compiling all possible information regarding the history of our beautiful municipality, San Juan del Sur.
The work is being done through oral interviews with men and women who have knowledge of their backgrounds and history of their customs. We also had the participation of young people who gave data about recent events that have taken place in this port.
I believe that this information-gathering project about our port is the first step and a very important one to fill the void that exists in our historical profile…I am sure that this will be useful as a tool to new generations, and a motivation to know deeper, reinforce and continue on in the investigative process of this project.
As a young person, I invite the population to collaborate with this project that is a benefit to us all. We should not just let people know of the beauty of our natural resources, but also what it encompasses: customs, traditions, historical places. We should show the idiosyncrasies of our port.”
Francisco Téllez - Teacher
“Once more, Nicaragua, with all of its characteristic hospitality, puts the name of the country on high. For those that visit, a smile is enough to show that soon they will return to our pinolero land. In my case I had the opportunity to support the North Americans, Mary Jane and Bonita, two delightful women determined to take up the history of San Juan del Sur and let it be known to our future and current generations. I participated in this project and learned a lot about the stories that were told to us in each interview. It was a beautiful experience, full of adventure. I often served as a guide and for me it was nice to share the natural beauty that we possess with these foreigners. I was amazed by the attentive way which Mary Jane listened to the interviewees, and each time she wanted to know more and more. It is admirable that other people worry themselves with rescuing the history of a town that is not theirs; it is a worthy example to take into account to get to know the beautiful country where we live. As a Nicaraguan and a resident of San Juan del Sur, I am willing to support any project as long as it is to benefit my community and support our culture.”
From Mary Jane
In our last article we introduced you to the Fundación A. Jean Brugger and Simmons College Oral History Project. This month Mary Jane Treacy has written us some of her thoughts regarding the project. Here they are in her own words:
It was last spring when Bonnie Betters-Reed caught me in the hall to ask me if I’d be interested in an oral history of SJdS. Well, I had heard of San Juan del Sur for years because David Gullette is a friend of mine. I had gone to some Sister City events at his house, had read his book on Gaspar, and passed by his office with his photos of sanjuaneños on the walls almost daily. So, sure, I told Bonnie. I am interested.
Little did I know what it is like to work with a Management faculty member. I am used to Humanities folk, like me. We talk, we mull things over, we analyze. So I was shocked that a week or so later, Bonnie called me to discuss flights to Managua!!! What, don’t I have to read all the novels of Sergio Ramírez before planning the trip? Don’t I make a comparison between Omar Cabezas’s and Giaconda Belli’s autobiographies? Where is my Obras Completas de Rubén Darío? Before I knew it, I was on the plane.
I am haunted by the past. Haunted perhaps conveys a negative, even frightening tone. I don’t mean this. I mean that I have a spiritual relationship with figures, both North American and Latin American, who have done important, exciting, meaningful things in their lives but who have disappeared from public view. I am motivated by anger that they have been forgotten or hidden away in obscure archives. I am driven to bring them back to life through words. Rogelia Cruz Martínez of Guatemala, Henrietta Rodman of New York City, Neith Boyce of Provincetown, Massachusetts all call out to me and I welcome their presence.
What an opportunity, then, to interview sanjuaneños in the present about the past! There is such a wealth of knowledge and experience in San Juan del Sur that needs to be made known, understood, brought into the cultural life of the town. Moreover, it is a joy to meet and talk with the people of San Juan del Sur, the young and the ancianos alike. I miss them when I am back in the United Sates and wonder what and how they are doing.
Since I am a Humanities academic, I do have to read all the books on Nicaragua to write an oral history of San Juan del Sur. (I exaggerate a bit, but not that much.) But in so doing, I have become fascinated with this town that has come into being as an “encuentro cultural.” Not always a pleasant or easy encuentro, for I do not idealize, but one that is rich in the connections and (mis) connections among peoples. The Tránsito, the cable and the muelle, the tourism of the present-day all attest to a SJdS that faces and interacts with the world. The agriculture, the customs, the daily life all ground the town in Nicaraguan culture and values. Sanjuaneños have been negotiating these differences for over a century.
Uniform Delivery
On May 20th, I had the pleasure of joining our “uniform delivery squad” at a rural school near San Juan del Sur. Our team was made up of Eddy (the driver), Headly (a sponsored student of FAJB and the leader of the dance troupe “Así es Mi Tierra”), Veronica (FAJB’s secretary) and me. We first went to pick up the uniforms at the shop of the Mujeres de la Bahia cooperative, where the uniforms are made. Veronica and Headly then stuffed a big red bunny rabbit full of candy and off we went. Here are my thoughts on the day:
As we drive down the dirt road towards the school, I notice how many dry river beds we cross and deep ditches we pass. I think how bad this road must be during the rainy season; thank goodness there are rubber boots in the school packets we are transporting. After a twenty minute drive, we turn left into a small gate that has been painted blue. Slightly beyond that are several buildings – the main one-room blue and white schoolhouse, the one-room yellow preschool and two outhouses (with “donated by the government of” somewhere written on their sides in bright blue paint). Veronica informs me that this was her very first school and that she had to walk miles each day just to get there – she can certainly relate to the students! I peek into the schoolhouse to see about twenty kids sitting at desks that have been pushed up against the walls. Their ages range from 8 to 13. There is a lone teacher sitting at a desk at the front of the room. “Do you teach all of these children?” I ask. She nods. “From first to sixth grade?” She smiles and nods again. I am impressed.
I head over to the preschool to see what I find there. There are six children sitting around a table, drawing. They all stare at me as I walk in. “May I take a photo?” I ask the teacher. She says yes and tells the kids to smile. Three of them do, while the others hide their heads in their arms. There are many drawings on the turquoise walls, joined by paintings and colorful cutouts of the letters of the Spanish alphabet. Sunshine and a breeze come in through four barred windows.
It’s time to begin giving out the uniforms, so I head back to the main school. All of the children sit in anticipation at their desks, each waiting for his or her name to be called out. We begin with a nine year old boy who is all smiles as he receives his new school packet, which includes a blue backpack, a shirt, pants and rubber boots. Child after child is called and measured for the right size of clothes. They each try on their rubber boots and take their packets into their hands with ear to ear grins. Some shy from my camera, but others can’t wait to have their picture taken.
After everyone has received their packet, we all go outside to break the piñata. After a bit of trouble hanging the piñata, we get the party started! The third boy who “steps up to bat” breaks open the piñata, spilling candy everywhere! The kids go nuts, diving onto the candy to see who can get the most. I see several children sharing with those who were not able to dive fast enough. Veronica walks around and passes out lollipops to other children and their parents. We say our goodbyes and get into the truck. And just like that, our day is done. As we drive again through the school gate, I find myself already wishing for the next uniform delivery.
