Nicaragua’s history is continually shaping its future. In 1978 a revolution was born out of the necessity to oust the Somoza family. The Somoza dictatorship had been in power for more than 4 decades and had turned Nicaragua into a country where there was no freedom of speech or opposition possible. The country had almost become the family’s personal farm. Governance was an exercise to secure businesses that were owned by the family across the nation. The Somoza family owned everything from blood banks to gold mines to textiles, shipping and cement.

The revolution of 1979 was inevitable and brought with it consequences which would ultimately up-root families and cause Nicaraguan’s to re-invent themselves in new places. Many people applauded the change that was brought forth by the revolution. Initially change signified hope that the nation would secure a path of modernity and democracy. The new leadership that came after Somoza proved to fall short of expectations and as freedom of speech and private enterprise were subdued, many Nicaraguans began to look for a life elsewhere. Many Nicaraguan’s who left because of the revolution sought political asylum in cities like New Orleans, Miami, Los Angles and Washington D.C..

Starting a new life from scratch in a new country was a challenge that brought with it new cultural understandings in a new setting. In the U.S. Nicaraguan’s were submerged into culture that brought fourth new civic values and a greater understanding of how business operated in the first world. Nicaraguan children were of course the greatest benefactors of these new values as American schooling would permanently shape their understanding of the world.

Many Nicaraguan’s lived in the U.S. during the entire decade of the 1980’s and returned to Nicaragua in the early 1990’s after Violeta Chamorro had been democratically elected. The returning generation was cleverly dubbed the “Miami boys” because most returning families were coming from Florida. These returning families boosted the economy of Nicaragua and brought hope to a war torn nation looking towards peace and prosperity.

Today the “Miami Boys’” make up a huge component of the business class of Nicaragua. Spanning ages 20 to 60 years old, the “Miami boys” are equipped with knowledge that makes them bicultural and bilingual at the same time. This helps when one of Nicaraguan’s most important business partners is the United States. The human capital component brought forth by the “Miami Boy” generation has revitalized Nicaragua’s ability to do business on a global level. The Miami boys have effectively made the leap from the US to Nicaragua bringing with them new elements that are necessary to develop Nicaragua into an economic contender on the Central American level.

In the coming years, Nicaragua is poised to receive the benefits from this unique business class as it enters the global arena in agreements such as the DR-CAFTA, a Central American free trade agreement with the United States. Participation from the “Miami boys” will be a vital component in the creation of lasting relationships with their partner to the north. In a growing country with limitless potential, the “Miami boys” are certain to be one of the most influential groups. They will continually shape Nicaragua’s future using the relevance of its past.

Each year the management at Morgan’s Rock collects donations and school supplies for the children of San Juan del Sur. This past weekend the Aurora team worked with Morgan’s Rock employees and guests from the resort preparing packets for the students.

Saturday we filled 360 backpacks with pencils, pens, notebooks, erasers, rulers, art supplies, books, crayons, markers, and science supplies. Sports uniforms, science supplies, and first aid kits were also collected.

Monday was the first day of classes for the local children after the summer break. We visited the five schools in the area and gave each student, from kindergarten up through age 14, a new backpack full of supplies and books.

Here at Aurora, we wish to thank Morgan’s Rock for allowing us to participate in such a wonderful initiative. Morgan’s Rock has been a generous, active member of the community in San Juan since opening and we salute their efforts to contribute to the well-being of the local community.

Here’s a video clip from Escuela Victor Manuel Leiva

Dear community members of San Juan del Sur,

Comunidad Connect is proud to announce the successful creation of the Municipal Recycling Program, with the active participation of the Mayor’s office, and funding from Pelican Eyes Piedras y Olas and DED, a German inter-governmental organization. Comunidad Connect will administer a year-long pilot project after which control will be passed over to the alcadía. The rest of this press release explains the pilot project and asks for your support in this important endeavor.

The pilot project, designed to “learn by doing”, is divided into three phases. The first one, which has already started, has five municipal workers sorting out plastics from other trash at the dump and separating them by type and color. The sorted materials are sold to a collecting depot and the income is reinvested into the project. Phase two, which starts in February, incorporates worm castings and organic composting. The resulting top-soil will be available for sale within three months of the start of this phase. The last phase is focused on an educational campaign throughout the San Juan del Sur community in order to promote separation of recyclable materials at home and at work. It also incorporates a plant nursery which will use the top-soil from composting. The plants, ranging from roses to citrus trees, will also be for sale.

Waste management is clearly an issue that affects all of us, and as such, we should all try to contribute as much as we can. Please sort out plastic coke and shampoo bottles, hard plastics, as well as glass and aluminum. Look on the underside of the container to see if it’s recyclable. If you can, please bring separated trash to the workers near the building on the north side of the dump on the Chocolata road. If you do not have the means to bring separated trash to the dump, please let Comunidad Connect know and we will look for transport. We are working with the mayor’s office on a schedule to pick up sorted materials. Once phase two is launched next month, Comunidad Connect will be asking local restaurants, as well as individuals, to separate their kitchen wastes.

If you would like to contribute to this project, we always welcome advice and new ideas. Please do not hesitate to email Roman Yavich, roman@ComunidadConnect.org with any questions or to request transport for separated trash. Together we can achieve more sustainable resource management in San Juan del Sur.

Sincerely,

Roman Yavich
Comunidad Connect

Three new hotels have opened recently in San Juan del Sur, Villas de Palermo, La Posada Azul and Hotel Victoriano. Each hotel has pegged its style to that of a colonial blend with high standards of construction. All
these hotels have been built in response to growing tourism in Nicaragua.

Villas de Palermo

Opened almost a year ago and is nestled on the Palermo farm granting its vistors a great ocean view of all of the Bay of San Juan del Sur. Villas also offers its guest a large pool and restaurant area.Offering two bedrooms with independent bathrooms, the hotel has been dubbed a kid friendly resort with the right mix of amenities like internet and cable tv making it a comfortable getaway spot. Rooms prices start at $129 a night.

Hotel La Posada Azul

It is also about a year old and is located in the town of San Juan del Sur 1⁄2 block from the ocean. This hotel is a 6 bedroom hotel crafted out of mostly wood in a classic colonial style. The rooms surround a large pool and small bar area where clients are encouraged to use the honor system on snacks and drinks. This hotel was an old home from the 1800’s renovated to serve as a small hotel. Elegant and cozy, the hotel offers wireless internet and a great location; everything in town including the beach is a short walk from here. Room prices are $99 a night.

Hotel Victoriana

Opened its doors to visitors just 2 months ago. This is a 20 room hotel that offers both single rooms and suites. Located on the north end of San Juan del Sur right on the beachfront, the hotel offers an elegant bar with a dinning room and large pool that overlooks the beach.With a combination of marble counter tops and victorian wood designs, this hotel is poised to become one of San Juan’s most coveted hotels. Rooms prices start at $139 a night.

Contact Us if you want to make reservations or want to know more about these beautiful hotels in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.