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Casa Hogar Fuente de Vida (Fountain of Life Home) - Nicaragua
Day had just ended in a little village in Nicaragua. The city park that had played host to the joyful antics of children throughout
the day was now silent and subdued. But not all the children had gone to the cozy confines of their homes. Two sisters remained. And
as the darkness of night crept into the park, these little girls were left all alone. As time passed, they grew tired, lay down and
went to sleep.
Fortunately, a caring individual found Gabriela and Sofia * and took them to the authorities who calculated that the girls were around
three and five years old. A search was conducted and it was found out that the children had been abandoned by their mother who was thought
to be a local prostitute. It's difficult to imagine the terrible conditions in which these little girls and their mother had to live. Those
of us who have never suffered real poverty and all that goes with it cannot judge. However, these sisters are fortunate that ICC helped to
establish a refuge for orphaned and abandoned children in Nicaragua. When the authorities considered their case, it was decided that ICC's
Fountain of Life Village would suit their needs very well.
Today Gabriela and Sofia are no longer homeless, hungry or having to sleep outdoors. They are happy and healthy and are growing up within a
safe and nurturing environment at ICC's newly developed children's village in Nicaragua. But how did ICC start its work in Nicaragua so that
children like Gabriela and Sofia could have a home? Literally, it started with a storm.
In October of 1998 Hurricane Mitch blew through the Caribbean doing extensive damage in several countries and causing considerable loss of life.
In the northwest corner of Nicaragua not far from the Pacific Ocean is the town of Chinandega. Torrential rains during the storm caused great mud
slides to course down the Las Casitas volcano nearby, burying several villages and causing nearly 3,000 deaths. Bodies of humans, livestock and
pets lay buried beneath the mud as well as strewn across the landscape. Those who survived were in shock and traumatized as many lost every single
person in their family. Over 60 of these survivors were children.
ICC founders, Ken and Alcyon Fleck, visited the area to assess what ICC could do after this catastrophe. They walked on the side of the volcano and
realized that a village and many homes were buried beneath them. They were able to visit a refugee center where hundreds of people, who had barely
escaped with their lives, were living under makeshift shelters, depending on whatever food and water could be brought in.
Reflecting upon this visit to Nicaragua, Alcyon says, "It was something to remain in your memory forever. I remember seeing on old grandfather,
who had managed to escape with just one little grandson, and he knew that the rest of the family had perished."
The government didn't have the money or resources to take care of the children. The Fleck's determined that ICC must be a part of the solution for the
orphaned children of Nicaragua. A wonderful Christian couple, Felix and Angelica, had already opened their home to many of the orphaned children, caring
for them as best they could. When ICC staff heard about Felix and Angelica, a collaboration was formed and this began ICC's work in Nicaragua.
Soon funds from concerned donors began arriving to help feed the children. Officials in the city of Chinandega offered a small piece of land to be used
for the care of the children. The land was part of a larger parcel that the city maintenance department used to park their vehicles at night. Though
this was not an ideal location for the children, Felix organized efforts for the development of a small orphanage facility that would temporarily house
25 or more children.
Once the children were secure in these temporary facilities, efforts were made to locate a piece of land where a children's village could be built to care
for these and other orphaned and abandoned children in Nicaragua. After several years of searching and failed attempts, a beautiful piece of land was
finally purchased in 2006. It is an ideal setting with sufficient space for growth. On the property are hills where one can view the Pacific Ocean in the
distance. A house across the road has served as volunteer quarters for mission groups that have helped to construct the children's village. In December of
2009, a special opening ceremony was held, and the children moved into their new homes.
As funds allow, ICC will continue to develop this children's village so that even more orphaned and abandoned children can experience the joy of being a
part of the ICC family.
More information about the Fountain of Life Village is available by contacting ICC at (800) 422-7729.
Click here to read the most recent blog postings about this project.
* Names have been changed to protect the children’s privacy
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