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Local Women See The Poverty In Nicaragua
By David Anderson
Marie Groombridge, one of the five Schomberg
women who went to Nicaragua in the fall,
said the experience was beyond words. During
the week of Nov. 3 to 16, the women offered
assistance in the country.
Groombridge went with four other women,
Elinor Mitchell, Connie Fraser, Ashley
Boultbee and Hannah Mizuno. The trip was
part of the medical team organized through
PAN Missions, an association made up of
people from a wide variety of backgrounds
and different parts of Canada. The five went
as a group from Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
in Schomberg.
They raised about $15,000 over a year and a
half through fund-raisers and barbecues,
especially at Schomberg IGA.
All the money that was raised went toward
their mission trip, Groombridge had said in
a previous interview.
Nicaragua is the second poorest country in
the world, Groombridge said.
"The country is just devastated by poverty,"
she commented. "Wheelchairs were made out of
plastic, strollers were made out of boxes.
There was a five year old pushing his baby
sister in crate."
That's what Groombridge said really moved to
tears — the children.
"When we got to the first clinic, there were
children dressed in torn clothing, which
they considered their finest," she
explained. "They were all great children,
some even asked Connie if she would take
them home with her."
Groombridge said she met a little girl and
her family, who she sponsors.
"Her name is Joseling Castellouh and she is
nine," Groombridge said. "Consistency funds
were raised to be sent to this particular
family."
Groombridge added the trip involved a lot of
hiking.
"It took six hours to get to this one place,
called El Viaejo, and when we got there,
there was this armystyle truck, which set up
our medical supplies in different sections,"
Groombridge commented.
She concluding by saying that the trip was
amazing and it's really hard to capture its
entirety in words.
"It's hard to believe that in Canada you
have so much opportunity, but in a place
like Nicaragua you're either rich or you're
poor, there's no middle," she said.
On the behalf of all of them, Groombridge
extended thanks for all the contributions
and donations they got from their community.
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