Summit of 2oo6 -
summarized
Summit 2006 brought the kind of energy that we’ve all been looking forward to achieving. Wisconsinites (34) traveled to Nicaragua,
made partnership visits, renewed and began new friendships, discovered new sights, shared ideas, discussed in-country visits, planned trips, traded skills, and much more. This built on the momentum created by the
Wisconsin Women Care Conference II 2005 that just seems to keep growing – true partners.
W/NP and Compañeros N/W demonstrated the kind of team¬work that’s long been desired. This working together started in the planning stages of the Summit 2006 and continued until the final cleanup. The miles between the countries seemed to shorten through the volunteer effort.
Keeping this energy flowing will be the challenge for the upcoming years, but this fantastic 40-year partnership seems to be on the edge of evolving into another stage. For many years, shipping was the main vehicle that assured communication. As humanitarian transport of supplies becomes more difficult, Summit participants determined that training and education should be the wave of the future. They cited a variety of ongoing projects including the
Learning Center Tours, the Lending Libraries and Scholarships for young Nica students as excellent examples. These provide WI travelers as well as their Nica counterparts with an insight into the needs and what this organization can accomplish. More than 70 Nica’s pledged their support in identifying and carrying out appropriate projects during the Summit activities.
Thanks for the efforts of each one of the participants that made possible the happening of this important meeting. Dr. Ronald Blandón, Exec. Director, Compañeros N/W continues that “...on behalf of the enthusiasm and energy renewed that we obtained, to make concrete plans and projects that we proposed we ought to complete the three R's...react, reinvent and reorganize for success.”
For all of us that worked on the Wisconsin Women Care Conference there was tremendous excitement. For those of us that worked on the Summit 2006 that excitement continued. The two projects created the same enthusiasm—one in the north and one in the south. Now it’s time for all of us to react.
Friday started the gala event attended by representatives from the Nicaraguan and US governments, television personality Myrka Dellanos, Florida, and invited dignitaries, as well as participants of the summit. Myrka joined in the festivities by awarding the Presidential Volunteer Awards to those Nicaraguan and Wisconsin volunteers who had donated many hours to the impressive list of projects carried on through W/NP.
Fredman Perez, Estelí, a lucky winner at Summit 06
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On Saturday morning with the assistance of Matt Clausen, POA V.P of Partnership Development and Rob Burke, UWEX, the two chapters moved through various project ideas, ways to increase communication, activities to create interest. Not only was this to recognize what we have accomplished, but to reinvent some of the really good projects we have completed in the past. The incredible interaction was responsible for the success of the two day conference. In the Nicaraguan spirit, we had fun and excitement. A spin-the-wheel raffle was held giving the winners a chance at obtaining some nice prizes. The women of Nicaragua had knitted beautiful shawls of love for purchase. It was obvious by the noon luncheon on Saturday that the event had created an excitement that the organization needed. Friendships were renewed, and new connections were made.
♥
Shawls of Love ♥
Women from throughout Nicaragua, following the pattern set by their Wisconsin sisters at the WI Women Care Conference in 2005, fashioned more than 50 shawls and wraps that were sold during the Friday night Gala of the Summit 2006..
“Shawls of Love” has evolved into a special icon for W/NP. The shawl is one the oldest of garments known to humankind and symbolizes warmth, comfort and caring. Shawls of Love handcrafters are asked to be sending thoughts of care to their counterparts in another country as they fashion their creations of love. To those who say “I don’t wear shawls” we say “That’s because you haven’t met the right shawl.”
All shawls are donated and serve as a tool for fundraising for the organization and, as an added bonus, reach out to a network of people who are not necessarily involved with the partnership.
Comments
Marilyn Slusarski - “I was very impressed with the initiative of the Nicaraguan women who attended. They showed great professionalism and leadership qualities. They showed ownership and pride in their projects. They willingly shared their successes as well as their needs and hopes for the future. There was a sense of direction and vision for their future.
On another note - Children are children, the world over. When we visited the preschool at Estelí the children greeted us warmly, sang songs for us, and proudly showed us their school, their learning materials and their artwork. It reminded me of my first grade classroom.”
Arlen Albrecht - "The dedication of staff and volunteers in this organization never ceases to amaze me. Matt Clausen and Rob Burke did a great job
organizing the processes for discussion and invention, and I loved watching the bonding and inter-exchange of ideas and goals taking place between partners. Cultural differences were not barriers, and the only barrier was the time we had to accomplish everything we wanted to. I was overwhelmed to watch how project ownership transferred as I watched
different communities talk with each other and plot out exchanges ---“ I will teach gardening, if you teach a knitting technique -- I will travel to your community if you visit mine.....” and the list went on.
Myrka Dellanos - "I had a wonderful time with everyone. I was really impressed with the Wisconsin group and with their love and caring for the Nicaraguan people. You should really have them meet with the Florida Partners or any other states to see if they can emulate them. In any case, all the women and the kids really touched my heart and I have already received numerous e-mails which I will be answering soon."
Matt Clausen - The natural curiosity of children is so
refreshing. Kids at Mayra Mendoza”s, farm, Buenas Aires, have never touched a computer (they told me) and likely have not used a phone, but they so eagerly jotted down Carlos' contact
information on his business card. Then they diligently wrote a note to the kids of Wisconsin. Keeping in touch is
universal, whatever the means. At Rosa's Learning Center, a little girl checked in with me every five minutes during our stay to make sure I fulfilled my promise to let her take a picture with my camera. She was a natural, and provided me with a glimpse of the world through her eyes that I will never forget.
