Keith Wentworth, Karla Varela and Jane Wentworth
When the Sister Islands’ staff on Ometepe visited Bainbridge in December, one of the highlights was a warm reconnection of old friends: Keith and Jane Wentworth and Karla Varela.
With the Wentworths’ help, Karla graduated 23 years ago as the first psychologist on Ometepe Island. For many years she worked for Si a la Vida, solidifying an important link between the Sister Islands Association and that non-profit, which once served former street kids and evolved to serve at-risk youth on Ometepe. Over the years, Keith, Jane and Karla visited each others’ islands on delegations and individually. The Wentworths watched Karla’s children grow and her professional expertise deepen.
Karla currently works for the Sister Islands Association, providing counseling, workshops and prevention consultation in the areas of sexual abuse and domestic violence. As Karla says, “Women who have suffered abuse for years, decades even, now have a voice through our work.” Work made possible by the initial investment of love and support by Jane and Keith.
Karla, Jane and Keith felt certain their 2019 reunionthat it would not be their last. The relationships fostered among Sister Islanders are life-long, even with so many miles between us.