| Scott Stoughton's blog |
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I just wanted to take a minute to thank Kelley and the rest of the Central America Foundation board members and volunteers for inviting me to contribute to their wonderful cause. The organization is filled with talent and unbridled enthusiasm, I cannot wait to dig in and start helping less fortunate communities through out Central America. My love of the region began after my first visit to Costa Rica about 15 years ago and has been further solidified following 3 trips to Nicaragua over the last year. Nicaragua is such an amazing place, an untouched canvas which is filling with heavy loads of tourists and foreign investors. My main concern and hope for Nicaragua is to be able to develop in a conscious and safe manner and to actively support local communities in need, this will be up to the many of us that will travel to the region. All of our travels through out the world help shape so much of the local attitude towards Americans and travelers in general, let’s all do the right thing! Nicaragua currently is the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere where over 20% are unemployed and more than half are under employed. Wages average around $8 per day. However when I travel to Nicaragua I see nothing but enthusiasm, hope, hard work and optimism, it is truly inspiring to be around people who have so little yet remain so positive. On my last trip to Nicaragua I was able to contribute to the uniform distribution in Limon 1. For around $20 per student we were able to get much needed uniforms to local kids so they would be able to attend school. What I experienced with the teachers and children was such enthusiasm and appreciation for the work we were doing. Nicaragua is in need of much aid and I know we can be a very vital force in helping various communities with education, medical and cultural wealth.
Scott Stoughton |
