When the 2017 Coffee Delegation traveled to Nicaragua from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11, the group of four were treated to 11 fantastic days on Ometepe and had opportunities to explore the mainland cities of Masaya, Granada and Rivas.
Kim Esterberg reports on the Sister Islands Association’s 30th anniversary celebration on Ometepe, which began with a special dinner prepared at the home of Dora Gutierrez, our office manager in Altagracia.
The heart of our Sister Islands’ relationship occurs when people from both islands spend time together in each others’ homes and communities. Twelve Ometepinos will have that opportunity when we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year.
For the 20th year, The Traveler is donating 5 percent of their December sales to benefit school libraries on Ometepe. The travel-supply company’s partnership with Sister Islands’ libraries is one of the longest-standing organizational relationships the Sister Islands has fostered.
Five delegates from Ometepe left Bainbridge Island on May 3 after a two-week visit, the first Sister Islands' health delegation to travel north. Four of the delegates are health-care providers on Ometepe—a doctor, a dentist and two nurses—and the fifth is the manager of the Sister Islands' office on Ometepe.
Joe Duprey will be serving as the Sister Islands’ 2014 Office Volunteer. Joe was a member of the 2008 student delegation and returned to Ometepe in 2009 with a Special Needs delegation comprised primarily of adults. He also served as a student board member.
The celebrations held on Ometepe in January 2012 to mark the 25th anniversary of our sister island relationship were a truly remarkable statement about the strong bonds of friendship that have been created between Ometepe and Bainbridge.
The day of the 25th celebration started off grey — perfect weather to work on decorating Ruben Dario elementary school. When we went back to change and eat lunch, a downpour struck. But damp decorations didn't spoil the day.
To help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sister Islands Association, 13 delegates from Ometepe will visit Bainbridge Island Sept. 24-Oct. 4. They will stay with families on Bainbridge, including some who were guests in the delegates' own homes.
Sheila Kelley reports on her 2½-month stay on Ometepe, where she volunteered as an aide in high school English classes at two schools and was warmly embraced by her host families and the communities of La Flor and Los Angeles.
