We discussed at the last meeting that it is increasingly difficult to follow and understand what’s really going on politically in Nicaragua, so I’m now going to list some sources here that may help. I’m linking directly to the search page for “nicaragua”:
Colombian newspaper El Tiempo (Spanish)
Latin American Post (each article available in English and in Spanish)
well, that’s all I have so far, suggestions welcome!
sorry for the late notice, but the OLAT AGM is happening tomorrow,
Tue 30.1. at 7pm at the Town Hall and also on Zoom.
We will be looking at how the last year has gone and how to maintain links with León, raise our profile and future fund raising and will Elect Officers for the coming year.
After AGM business we will discuss the Twin Cities Youth Orchestra Project 7 – 14 July, when young classical musicians from Oxford’s Twin cities will come together to play Carmina Burana at the Town Hall on Saturday 13 July. We are very excited that we will be bringing two young Nicaraguan musicians – Jose who plays violin and Cesar who plays cello – to Oxford. They will have a week on the Orchestra Project and then a week visiting schools and places of interest.
We also hope to have the Misa Campesina later in the year.
Swimmers braved the rain and cold to take part in the annual sponsored swim for Leon. Here are some photos of the event taken by Yonglin Mai:
Our Annual Fund Raising Swim is on Friday 14 July, 4pm – 7 pm at our usual pool – Hinksey Heated Outdoor Pool, Lake Street, Oxford OX1 4RP. We are very grateful to Fusion and the staff at Hinksey Pool for their continued hospitality.
This is our most important fund raising event of the year, for our twin city of León, so do please come along to swim and support the fund raising, and get any friends involved and have some fun! We really need you! Nicaragua needs our support and solidarity more than ever.
Please see the poster attached. If you could display it that would be helpful. To register email Jen Houston at the address shown on the poster.
Exciting news: we can now confirm that the Nicaraguan folk mass, the Misa Campesina will be sung again this year – as it was for many years until 2019. It is scheduled for
Sunday 4th of June
There will be two rehearsals on the two Saturdays before the event, ie May 27 and June 3.
All singers and instrumentalists welcome to join the fun. The music is fun and easy to play, and there are a couple of very experienced people on hand who have done it many times before.
Email Jen Houston (jen_houston AT hotmail DOT com) for details or watch this space. We will confirm precise rehearsal place and times closer to the time.
Dear Members and Supporters, ¡Feliz Año Nuevo a todos! The next meeting of the Oxford León Association is on Tuesday 24 January at 7 pm at the Town Hall and for those who can’t get to the Town Hall, and on Zoom, details have been emailed out, contact any member if you haven’t received them.We will be looking at how the last year has gone and how to maintain links with León, raise our profile and future fund raising and will elect officers for the coming year. We also hope to have the Misa Campesina later in the year. After due business we will have a short talk by Martin Roger of NECAT about his trip to Nicaragua at the end of last year. We will also hear from Christian who has recently returned from León. We look forward to seeing you on 24 January, all are welcome!
The next meeting of the Oxford León Association is on Tuesday 6 September at 7.00 at Oxford Town Hall. You will also be able to join us online via Zoom, email Jen for details.
There is a lot going on with Twinning in the autumn. There is an opportunity for all the links to tell Oxford all about Twinning at an event at the Sheldonian Theatre on Saturday 1 October, 10 am to 4 pm. We need OLAT to be represented.
Then on Wednesday 5 October there is Oxford’s UN Older People’s Day at the Town Hall, with a stall from OLAT.
OCC are also asking for people to contribute to a video about the impact that Twinning has had on their lives: “We are looking for people that have taken part in a visit to Oxford, or one Oxford’s twin cities and the impact it has had on their lives – has it changed their career choices, has it opened up further opportunities, have they learned a new language or skill or made new friends?” Please contact me if you would like to take part – it would be good to hear from people whose experience goes back to the old days of OLAT!
We were very pleased to be back with the Sponsored Swim on 15 July – some money is still coming in, we will let you know how much was donated soon. We are hoping to hold the Misa Campesina in October/November at Blackfriars.
Thank you for your continued support over these continuing difficult times.
The next meeting of the Oxford León Association is on Monday 23 May at 3 pm, we are trying an afternoon meeting. You will be able to join us either in person at a private house or online via zoom.
For the real life address or zoom details email Jen Houston: Jen_Houston at hotmail dot com
Dear Swimmers and Supporters of Oxford León Association and Trust
As many of you know, OLAT has been holding a Sponsored Swim for over thirty years, to raise much needed funds for our twin city of León and support our charities Nuevas Esperanzas and Nicaragua Education, Culture and Arts Trust (NECAT). Nuevas Esperanzas works with families around the Telica volcano near Leon on water and agroecology projects including rainwater harvesting, beekeeping and introducing new crops such as dragon fruit, after their crops were devastated in the hurricanes. NECAT provides education and support to impoverished families in a suburb of León.
Last year was the first year that we couldn’t hold the Sponsored Swim. As this year is our 35th Anniversary year we decided that we couldn’t not hold it again this year, so we would try a different way and hold the Sponsored Swim online! It is a pity that we can’t be together at the Hinksey Pool, but we can be creative and swim anywhere, and anytime during July! Maybe you have increased your fitness in lockdown, or maybe your swimming has become a bit rusty – just enjoy yourself and pick your surroundings – maybe wild water swimming, or a spa! Any amount that we raise will help, in this very difficult year.
Please register with JustGiving and link your account to the OLAT Sponsored Swim page, by adding the event to your page:
Sponsored Swim for León in our 35th Year! – JustGiving
Enjoy your swim, anytime, anywhere during July, then please circulate your JustGiving account to your friends to donate! Nicaragua needs our support and solidarity more than ever! Keep safe and we hope to see you in person next year! It would be interesting if people could let me know where they swim and I will let people know how many diverse locations we achieve!
Thank you for your continuing support for Oxford’s furthest away twin! Especially to those who have already been generous this year in supporting the Quizzes, it is much appreciated.
Best wishes
Jenny Houston Secretary OLAT
The next meeting will be on Thu 19 March at 7 pm at the Town Hall. Everybody interested in the Oxford Leon partnership is welcome to attend. Ask at reception to find out which of the many rooms we are assigned.
Oxford León Association 