Nicaragua (MNN)–While Central America was not directly affected by either Hurricane Katrina or Rita, the people in the region are feeling the effects.
Fuel prices skyrocketed in the storm wakes. “Most of the electrical power is generated through diesel,” says Worldwide Christian Schools’ Steve Guerink In fact, the trouble has been that it costs too much to keep power output at regular levels.
In some ways, the damage is worse because it’s not seen as well. It’s not topographical damage they’re struggling with in Nicaragua, explains Geurink. “When the prices have gone up, they have decided to ration the electrical power because they haven’t been able to come to an agreement with the country on the extra costs to run the generators.”
Politics, money and shortage–three ingredients stirred by hurricane force winds that mean trouble for WWCS.
Education is a challenge. In their case, Guerink says, it’s ministry, too. “Most of our contacts in Nicaragua are dealing with about two hours of electricity per day, so they have to be ready to do whatever ministry needs they can, use their computers, things of that nature. When the power comes on, they have to be ready to go.”
And yet, lessons go on, although, he adds that the frequent outages are, “…really disruptive to most of their work in the ministry of education there.”
Worldwide Christian Schools’ main purpose is to glorify God by ensuring that all people have access to Christian education. They partner with local churches to support their schools, but there are still hundreds of students who are unable to attend because of finances.
