The Tour

1) Thanks for a Great Tour!

2) Message from Dorothy!
 
    • Subject: Thanks for a Great Tour!

      • Date:      Wed, 09 Jan 2002 04:30:47 +0000
      From:      Gerry Condon
      To:          Local Coordinators of Dorothy Granada’s Speaking Tour
    Dear Friends,

           I want to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your tremendous work organizing Dorothy Granada’s recent visit to your community.  The tour was a great success, and exceeded all of our expectations.   Dorothy traveled for 3½ months, from early September to mid-December, and visited a total of 40 cities in almost every region of the U.S.  That’s a very long tour and it did take its toll even on this “tireless” woman.  But this was a very special moment for Dorothy and the Women’s Center in Mulukukú, and for Nicaragua. As it turned out, it was also a very special moment for the people of the United States. 

           Dorothy was extremely happy with the reception she received everywhere she went.  And, from the reports we have received from many of you, people around the country were very happy to have Dorothy in their midst and to learn more about the incredible work of the women of Mulukukú.  I say “learn more” because many of you have for years been a big part of this wonderful act of solidarity between the peoples of Nicaragua and the U.S.  Many of you are also pillars of your local peace and justice communities and, as such, embody what is good and hopeful in this country.  So on behalf of Dorothy and the Women’s Center in Mulukukú, we thank you once again for all your good work.

    Impact of September 11

           Shortly after Dorothy arrived back in the U.S. to begin her speaking tour, the soul of this nation was rocked by terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  At that point, Dorothy had to wonder if we should continue with the tour.  “Will people even want to hear about Nicaragua?” she asked.  “Will I be intruding on their grief?”  After consulting with a number of you, we decided to go ahead.  This turned out to be a very good decision.  Dorothy was pleasantly surprised to find even greater numbers than usual in attendance at her events.  It became apparent that many progressive people were hungry for a good example of nonviolent action and international solidarity.  Instead of feeling “intruded” upon, people found Dorothy’s message of love and hope to be an inspiration and a comforting tonic.  So her tour was very timely in more ways than one.

    Local Coordinators of Dorothy Granada’s Speaking Tour

           Donations to Dorothy’s life-giving work in Nicaragua were also very generous, providing a substantial portion of next year’s budget for the Women’s Center in Mulukukú, even more than we had hoped.  This is really outstanding, and once again, due in large part to your efforts.  So go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back.  You deserve it.

    Old Friends

           It was really important for Dorothy to be able to visit old friends who have been the backbone of her support network for the last decade.  She was happy to be able to spend some time with you, to continue very dear, long-term relationships, and to thank you for your ongoing support.  She was particularly happy to thank all of you for the persistent pressure you put on both the U.S. and Nicaraguan governments during the crisis of the last year. 

    New Friends

           Dorothy also traveled to cities and communities she had not visited previously, and was very happy to make new friends.  She looks forward to maintaining these new relationships and to visiting you again in the future.  For those of you who hosted Dorothy for the very first time, and did not already have a base of support familiar with her work, this was a particularly tough job, and we very much appreciate all your efforts.

    Where is Dorothy?

           Some of you are no doubt wondering, “Where is Dorothy?  Has she been able to return to Nicaragua?”  Well, right now Dorothy is in Santa Cruz, California, resting and preparing to return to her beloved Mulukukú in February.  A new Nicaraguan president, Enrique Bolaños, will be inaugurated next week.  A number of efforts are underway, in Nicaragua and in the U.S., to support the renewal of Dorothy’s Nicaraguan residency.  You will recall that the outgoing government, after failing in all its illegal efforts to deport Dorothy, refused to renew her residency when it expired in September.  We hope to have a clear indication in the next week of the position of the new president toward Dorothy’s return.  Among other things, this will be an indicator of how much distance Bolaños will put between himself and the notoriously corrupt Alemán government (in which he served for a time as Vice President). 

    Dorothy’s Return Is a Top Priority for Nicaraguan Human Rights Activists

           We will keep you informed of these developments.  In fact, we may need your help again to build up the kind of pressure that made such a big difference this last year.  We know that when we call upon you, you will act vigorously.  That is why we are waiting for just the right moment.  Perhaps, given all that has gone on, this kind of effort will not be necessary.  We shall see.  One thing we do know.  Human rights activists in Nicaragua consider Dorothy’s return to be a top priority for development of good relations between the incoming government and nongovernmental organizations.  Nicaraguan civil society has a lot invested in the struggle of Dorothy and the women of Mulukukú.  Hopefully the new government will want to send the right message to all those who care about human rights and the rule of law.

    You Can Contact Dorothy

           If you wish to reach Dorothy, you can email her at d_granada@hotmail.com and send a copy to dorothytour@hotmail.com.  She can be reached by telephone at 831-426-6754, and you can fax things to her at 831-425-8727.  Right now she is planning to remain in the U.S. until mid-February.

    Any Comments on the Tour Organization?

           If you have any feedback on the coordination of Dorothy’s speaking tour, thoughts about what worked well and how things might be improved in the future, please send them to me at dorothytour@hotmail.com.  Your comments will be included in the our evaluation and influence the planning of the next tour. 

           And once, again, thanks so much for all your great work.  It was a great honor and pleasure to work with you during this last year.  May you find within you and yours the joy, the strength and the will to face the challenges and opportunities of the New Year. 

    Peace and Solidarity,
    Gerry Condon


    Message from Dorothy

         The medical-dental-student delegation from Manchester College arrived in Nicaragua for their eleventh year and leaves in the morning, Sat. 6/01, for Mulukukú for a two-week clinic.  In the group of 41 people are two electricians who will begin the improvements required by the Ministry of Health so the clinic can be legalized.  The clinic team is working hard to prepare the clinic and dormitories.  Health Brigade Workers in the communities are organizing their people so that the sickest will receive the first appointments.  In the past, as many as 2,500 people have been served by during this two-week clinic.

           Within the next few weeks, I'll be in touch with those folks that offered various kinds of help.

           I loved being with old friends and meeting new.  Many thanks for the kind hospitality and good organizing.  There are so many good and strong projects being done across the country by such excellent people. You have strengthened and filled my spirit with hope.  Good WILL prevail.
     

    Abrazos,
    Dorothy

  


Home: