October 14, 2009
The Sí a la Vida residence on Ometepe Island enables former street kids to truly leave the streets of Managua. Now the dream of building a second residence on the island is becoming a reality, and will house an additional 16 former street kids. Thanks to architectural plans finalized by British volunteers Reg Owens and Jacqui Bull, Sí a la Vida broke ground on the new residence in July. Under the leadership of Reg and Jacqui, the work is now nearing completion.

The residence will include eight bedrooms designed for two boys each, a guest bedroom, meeting area, administrative offices, computer lab, bicycle repair shop, closets/storage space and bathrooms/showers.  The location is on a bluff overlooking Lake Nicaragua and just a short distance from Casa José María. The two residences are equal distance from a central dining area which will be operational when the new residence is completed, likely in the second half of 2010.

The new residence will be named Casa Mariano in honor of Mariano Lorío, a dedicated member of Sí a la Vida who passed away in 2007. Mariano began working at the project in 2000 as a laborer, advanced to the job of electrician, then night monitor, then tutor – eventually becoming coordinator of Casa José María in 2005. Sadly, six weeks after assuming the coordinator position, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Funding for Casa Mariano is being provided by donations to Amigos de Sí a la Vida. You are welcome to donate online or via the mail-in donation form and designate that your donation is for the new residence.