MINSA & Community Update:
Since mid-April 2018, the socio-economic crisis gripping Nicaragua has put increased strain on public institutions. During the first 100 days of public unrest, we saw several iterations of protests each carrying their respective and often tragic consequences. Recently, the nationwide network of roadblocks which had restricted movement of goods and services have been taken down. Water and power continue without interruption, and garbage pickup has resumed. And while this has allowed for some sense of “normalcy” to return to the country, public institutions responsible for health and education struggle to staff and stock local clinics, and the cost of medicine in pharmacies have doubled in price.
Comunidad Connect’s sustained presence in Los Robles and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua is more important than ever. Residents know we are there to help and to partner with them as new priorities emerge from the circumstances stemming from the country’s political instability. We are committed to providing essential health care and supporting local health promoters in their efforts to prevent illness from happening in the first place. Emna Gutierrez (CC Nurse), Reeder Lanzas (CC Dentist), and Yarisleidy Cortez (CC Community Development Director) have remained dedicated to their work through these difficult times and have inspired us all.
In Los Robles, the most pertinent issues are high unemployment and rising prices of goods and services. Recently, a meeting was held by the Brigadistas and other community leaders in which 100 families were identified as having extreme needs within the community, the most severe being food security. These families are unemployed without any direct family support, senior citizens, or have permanent disabilities. 
In early August, Comunidad Connect sent resources to Nicaragua to fund projects that will improve the living conditions and quality of life of these families. Yarisleidy, Reeder, and Enma are assessing each family’s priorities and developing work plans for each. We know that there is not a single fix-all solution to the myriad of issues facing families in rural Nicaragua, so we are being intentional with our limited resources to ensure the most vulnerable families know they are not alone and that our network of support is doing everything possible to help during these lean months before the coffee harvest returns in December. 
