Limbaica, Galilea and Buena Vista indigenous communities

14.08.13

Limbaica

“I was at home when the river overflowed. I was unhappy because I saw my dad and my mom sad because everything they grow is "died” (she means the entire crop was lost). The bananas, rice ... All are "died", then I was sad, "says Estefani, a 13-years old girl from Limbaica who speaks Spanish.

We are in this community the third day of food distribution. This community is closer to Alamikamba and we appreciate that conditions are not as bad. We distribute food aid to 305 people, of which 152 are kids and 41 are under five years old.

In Limbaica, there are three wells in good conditions; however, well water is contaminated after the overflowing of the river.

 “In recent weeks, many children have not gone to school because they are sick from drinking polluted water. Most have diarrhea and allergies” says one of the four school teachers.

Although Limbaica is also Miskito, many people speak Spanish. “Here, we can study until 6^th grade”, says Rachel, an eight years old girl, very happy and fun, who has been walking with me since I came.

Estefani studies first grade in high school. “I go every day to Alamikamba, it takes almost four hours”. She has the "lucky" to be able to attend secondary school because her family can pay the round trip every day (with a great economic effort). 

The food distribution process was pretty quick and tidy, we give out aid to 56 families, among them, 47 children under 5 years old. 

Galilea

The beneficiaries are 168 children -63 under five years-, 136 adults, 304 people in 54 homes. There are three wells and three are contaminated.

Some children show me the school. The latrines are a little better; the yard is full of animals (especially cows and horses). 

I am surprised that the school is closed; when I ask why, children do not know but they are dressed with the uniform (although most walk barefoot), so they should have lessons today.

Buena Vista

In Buena Vista there is one well and it is polluted. The beneficiaries are 172 children -64 under five years-, in 54 homes, 321 people. 

On August 14, we share out food aid in these three communities. The closest community to Alamikamba is half an hour by speedboat and less than 3 hours by slow boat. 

All three have better hygienic conditions and we find more people who speak Spanish. However, all three have the contaminated well water.