What is Known and How to Help. Nicaragua Edition

A refugee is a person who seeks refuge from a different country due to circumstances occurring in their country like war and natural disasters. Many refugees come to the US looking trying to escape from war or disasters.


Recently, I did research on Nicaragua, which is a unique country in a multitude of ways. Nicaragua is a country that is located in Central America. Throughout my research and the interview that I conducted, I have learned about many of the fascinating traditions as well as the landscapes, daily life, and the history of Nicaragua. However, while there are many fascinating things there are also many tragic things that I brushed up upon. 

     One interesting thing that I learned was that Nicaragua was a country where many indigenous people were settled approximately 10,000 years ago. Not long after, indigenous tribes came from the south of Mexico and settled in the country bringing their culture, religion, and many more of their customs and traditions. Some time passed and the land was conquered by Spain due to Christopher Colombus and his travels to the "New World". Because of the Spanish conquest, Nicaragua adopted the Spanish language as well as the religion of the Spaniards. Indigenous people began to decrease in numbers as the Spanish rule lasted for at least 3 Centuries. Eventually, the people of the country wanted to break away from Spain and gains its independence which is exactly what they did in 1838. Finally after 3 centuries of Spanish Rule Nicaragua was its own country.

  Around the 1970s and 80s, there was a revolutionary war in Nicaragua which some could say was brutal. This war was between the people known as the Sandinistas who were considered the communists and the President at the time who was Samoza. Although he was the president he could be seen as a dictator that many people hated for various reasons.  Because of the actions that the president took during that time, people were extremely unhappy and unpeaceful protests occurred which most definitely put many civilians in danger. Guerilla warfare is when a small group of people fights together against people who oppose them. During this time, people were given curfews due to all of the things that were happening. Many innocent people were killed throughout the course of time


During my research, I interviewed my mother Patricia who lived in the Country during those difficult times. Patricia would be considered as a refugee since she left her country because of war. 

Prior to the war, Patricia lived a peaceful life in Managua, Nicaragua. She went to school, participated in church, and played the guitar on her spare time with friends. However, everything began to change once the war started.  The Sandinistas began invading the capital and hurting anyone who was affiliated with the president. In addition to this, the Sandinistas hurt anyone or kidnapped anyone who was in the street late at night

Patricia began to see that the country was dangerous because of all of the shootings she would hear outside her window at night. One day, Patricia witnessed a bomb go off outside of her home which caused her family to evacuate from the house. In total, Patricia evacuated the country approximately 3 times. 

Eventually, Patricia left her home country for good and sought refuge from the United States. 

Today in Nicaragua, there is corruption between the people as well as the government. Because Nicaragua is a poor country, people are struggling to live. The current president Daniel Ortega cut government programs which can be health care and other necessities. In addition to this, he increased the tax in the country which caused the people to protest and take action into their own hands.

There are many ways that we could help Nicaragua. One way would be to spread awareness of the situation that is going on currently. The more awareness that is given to the public, the more people will try to make causes in order to contribute to the Country. 

One program that helps refugees is the International Rescue Committee. This organization is here to help refugees who have suffered natural disasters that they have faced as well as wars. While this organization is well known, people could make a difference by spreading awareness and posting more about it on social media. They could also volunteer for this organization.

Because Nicaragua is in poverty, the people should donate to organizations that help the people in Nicaragua get the resources they need.

People could make a difference and help the Refugees in need as well as the people living in the country. Refugees are just like everyone else, they are human and should be treated that way.