Decisions for the future are coming into focus ...

Nahum in October 2008

Gener in October 2008

Silly brothers (Gener, Saul and Nahum), May 2008, eating, playing music and laughing. Times they are a-changing. Times they have a-changed!

Nahum and Gener have made a decision on what they will do to get ready for life. The past year has been one of adjustment for all of us. For them, it's been the transition away from the orphanage and into a secure life that looks ahead. "Thinking ahead" is been hard for them, as they tend to live in the moment only. Not having kids of our own, we have "heard" this is normal - but we are not so sure. But we are glad this past year offered them security both physically and emotionally to get their feet under them - and now they will begin to walk towards a future on their own where they will be self-sufficient. Next phase will be "flight" ... not yet, though.
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Beginning next school year (February), they will no longer attend private school. If they would continue on this path, it would be two more years - the end of which would give them a diploma, but no real skills or job opportunities (which are SCARCE in Nicaragua). Instead, they're enrolled in a university that will give them their last two years of high school within one year's time. Next November, they will graduate! Classes in this university program only meet on Saturdays, so they'll also spend four week days (Tuesday thru Friday) at a trade school. IN TWO YEARS THEY WILL EACH HAVE THEIR DIPLOMA AND A TRADE SO THEY CAN BEGIN TO WORK. They've chosen a career in accounting (Gener) and auto mechanics (Nahum). For Gener, it's a "means" to make money so he can continue studying English and eventually be a interpreter/translator and someone (like Freddy) who works with teams, with non-Spanish speakers who visit but need help with the language, with translating documents, etc. There are many industries (hotel, etc.) that cherish employees who speak English, as Nicaragua has the small percentage of population who can speak English. No matter what Nahum or Gener go on to accomplish later, they will have the basis to earn a living sooner than we thought.
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More on Manantial ... soon.
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Bless you all - thanks for your interest and prayers.