A letter from Carlos Cardenas Martinez in Nicaragua
June 2013
Herminio Linares, his spouse Geronima, daughters Marbely, Marylu, Theresa, and granddaughters Daisy and Jennifer posing for a PDA camera at their home in Las Crucitas neighborhood, Niquinohomo, in Masaya, Nicaragua Photo by Carlos Cardenas
Regarding the New 779 Law in Nicaragua...
Public policies can make a difference against domestic violence toward women in a society founded on machismo and patriarchal relationships. "And peace will be fruit of the justice " (Isaiah 32:17).
Brothers and Sisters,
I greet you with joy, remembering the words of the Prophet Isaiah claiming that "Peace is the fruit of justice" (Isaiah 32:17). In my humble opinion they reflect the kairos, inspiring and moving us to be aware of the new signs of hope.
When I decided to write this letter, I wasn’t moved by the events that attract readers in the major newspapers of the country, nor by the television advertisements opposed to the new law against violence toward women, not even by the long discussions recently held by the National Assembly (Nicaraguan parliament) supporting the approval of the law. In spite of the strong resistance of obscure sectors of society pretending to reject the approval, denying the increasing levels of domestic violence against women and children in the country, the 779 Law was finally approved.
Herminio's home in Las Crucitas (Small Crosses), a poor rural neighborhood with precarious social infrastructure in Niquinohomo municipality. Standing at his right side, daughters Marbely and MaryLu and spouse Geronima; at the end of the row, daughter Theresa. Photo by Carlos Cardenas
Rather than describe in this letter what is going on in the media, I decided to draw a picture of an actual Nicaraguan family. Leaving aside the trends in the institutional statistics and the hypothetical numerical comparisons, I have chosen a family that lives below the official poverty line, a couple with five teenage daughters, and the implications that this law could bring for them.
Herminio's struggle for daily income is really tough. He works in construction and carpentry, for which the wages in Nicaragua are the lowest. He has an income that ranges anywhere between $200 and $220 per month for a family of seven members—equivalent to $0.95 to $1.00 per day. I won't even refer to the precarious conditions of their house and furnishings, nor to their low quality of life in detail, because it will make me cry.
What is encouraging in this family is that Herminio never gives up when faced with situations in the family. Instead of giving up, Herminio started to train his daughters how to do the work in which he is experienced, while Mrs. Linares, his wife, is his assistant, doing the hard work. The girls also learned their father's business so well that now Herminio and his daughters, Marilu, Mariela, Marbely, Teresa and Carolina, have formed a great performing work team.
Part of Herminio's family, spouse Geronima, daughters Theresa, MaryLu, and Marbely and granddaughters Jennifer and Daisy talking with Carlos Cardenas, PC(USA) mission co worker at the Council of Evangelical Churches of Nicaragua (CEPAD) and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Representative for Latin America and Caribbean region. Photo by Herminio Linares
Nevertheless, gender-based discrimination in Nicaragua is notorious. There is still rejection to a contract with such a team as this one because people condemn work done by women that is commonly done by men. Some question Herminio on his decision to make his daughters part of his daily work.
Recently Mr. Linares sent his daughters to a public vocational school. The girls were very happy for having received scholarships for that school. After this training the team now has a better profile and performance as a working family team.
I have visited their humble home in Las Crucitas (Small Crosses), Niquinohomo, a couple of times just to provide information on temporary job opportunities for his team.
When I have sat to talk with them, sharing their humble furniture and improvised straw roofing with pieces of metal sheets as improvised walls and a floor made from mud and water, I have realized how much we have been blessed as a family, but most of the time we are not able to recognize it. I have to come to Herminio's house to see how God's will is working in me. Visiting this poor neighborhood has made me question myself: Do I deserve all that God has prepared for me in my life, and how can I be a better steward of all these blessings, including existence itself and all the small things that perhaps we don't need but unexplainably we desperately pursue?
In regard to Herminio’s challenges, I feel powerless to do something more than express my solidarity. So we prayed and reflected on how poverty is hitting hundreds of Nicaraguan families, pressing them to look for other alternatives for income beyond the borders. We also reflected on how to be faithful to God's promise of life in full measure, and how to keep hope alive. It is not easy to address these issues when your stomach is empty and big raindrops are falling on your head, inside your home, and you become wet from your clothes to your bones and all hope seems to be mortally ill, almost dying.
Las Crucitas (Small Crosses) Catholic Parish in the Las Crucitas neighborhood, the congregation to which Herminio's family used to attend mass. The church was built by Herminio's family brigade. Photo by Carlos Cardenas
The afternoon wilts away and darkness falls on the Las Crucitas neighborhood. We quickly share the last cup of coffee, while different issues of interest about the community arise in our conversation. Some are concerned by the upcoming hurricane season and the low level of preparedness; others are interested in the planting season of corn, rice, beans and other basic foods. It is clear that the 779 Law is not a priority for a family where domestic violence is not experienced, in the midst of poverty, and where everyone agrees that the priorities are income, job opportunities and improving their living conditions.
I beg you to keep the Linares family and the Las Crucitas neighborhood in your prayers, sharing the hope and trust in God's blessings for the poor. I would also like to make a fraternal call for the goodwill of those interested in being engaged in God's mission in Nicaragua, to come alongside me through your prayers, your correspondence and your financial gifts. Without your part in this work, our mission would not be possible.
We said a friendly goodbye to each other, while the family was preparing to go to the local parish church for Friday’s mass.
May God's everlasting love and blessings be with you,
Carlos Cardenas M
PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker with CEPAD, Nicaragua
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) Program Rep, Latin America and Caribbean
The 2013 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 22
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