Harriet Hall, Nicaragua team member at the Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery, shares the history of their partnership with the community of Plan Grande #2.

We got involved as a response to Hurricane Mitch. We sent a delegation of 23 people in 2000 sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. CEPAD was the coordinating NGO for disaster relief and we were assigned to go to Plan Grande #2 because it was farther north and we had a longer trip planned.

That group fell in love and we continued to visit. We formalized our partnership in 2004, even though we consider 2000 our beginning. Up until the political crisis of 2018, we had sent delegations at least once a year. We even had the opportunity to host at least 3 delegations from Plan Grande #2 to visit us in St. Louis.

Over the years, we’ve sponsored various projects, but our primary one is high school scholarships. Early on we noticed how many children were not in school and WE thought that the elementary school was the concern. But working in partnership with the community, we learned that they were more concerned about keeping kids in high school. So that’s how we started. As of 2021, 79 students have graduated high school. This year, we’re supporting 37 high schoolers and 7 college students.

We affiliate with CEPAD because we have complete trust in the integrity and commitment of the organization and the individuals we’ve worked with over the years. We rely on the “cultural translation” as well as the language skills that CEPAD shares with us.

We are so thankful for the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy and their relationship with Plan Grande #2. It is only because of our partners and donors, that together, we can make a lasting difference in Nicaragua for generations to come.