María Antonia Centeno Velazque is 48 years old and lives in Los Proyectos de Sabana Grande, Totogalpa, Madriz, Nicaragua. She is a homemaker, or “ama de casa” and the other family members living in her household are her daughter Gladis del Socorro (25), and Marvin Francisco (age 7) and Cherling Elieth (age 3) who are Gladis’ children, and Masiel Centeno her 9-year-old niece. Her other children are Lesther Reynaldy (27) and Heyra Aldenir (22). María likes working in her garden, keeping a clean house and reading the bible. She does not care much for “lazy people.”

María has been working with Grupo Fenix as a host for foreign volunteers for 4 years. For the summer of 2008, she is hosting Anna Young, Director of Development for Salud del Sol.

There is never a dull moment in the house of María Antonia. Her home is located at the front and center of the neighborhood and her front door is always open. Through out the day, children and neighbors come to share in meal and conversation or to watch the nightly news while sharing a cup of fresh coffee or lemon tea. Having such close neighbors is one of the benefits of living in a rural community such as Sabana Grande, says María. In the past year, both of her daughters, Gladis del Socorro (age 25) and Heyra Aldenir (age 22), have moved to Spain to find employment. Knowing that they will be able to send money to support the family here, María has gladly agreed to care for their children. “It is very difficult for young people to find employment in Sabana Grande. I understand why my daughters needed to move. We miss having them here, but I know that they will be able to provide more for their children,” explains María.

While María’s full time job is caring for her family at home, she also has the opportunity to work with Las Mujeres Solares in many capacities. With this work she is able to earn “$HOURS” to keep her active status as a Solar Woman and to purchase items in the monthly Tienda Verde (Green Store). She especially enjoys her work in the garden surrounding the Solar Center. “I enjoy being outside and being able to see the results of my work, like the fresh fruits and vegetables to feed my family and others.” María enjoys her work with the Solar Women as an opportunity to work side-by-side with other motivated women of Sabana Grande. She was inspired by the dedication to build 8,000 adobe bricks for the Solar Center. This is a common feeling among the Solar Women who are grateful to have an opportunity to be a part of a collective effort for achieving a group goal. “The Solar Women of Totogalpa is a beautiful organization. I am blessed to work with motivated women who are also my good friends.”

María has a solar cooker in her front yard (see photo of solar cooker and Cherling in the front yard). At times it is difficult to use because of the trees that surround her house. However, her neighbor and fellow Mujer Solar, Reyna Lopez, shares her wide open yard with María anytime she needs to use the solar cooker. The inconsistent weather of the rainy season (May through October) makes it difficult for María to depend on the solar cooker for meals. However, during the summer she regularly uses her cooker for preparing chicken and gallo pinto (famous Nicaraguan dish of rice and beans). During the second week of April, Las Mujeres Solares hosted a solar cooking competition in the Solar Center, María entered her solar cooked food, Arroz con Leche (“Rice and Milk”) and while she did not win the competition, her finished meal was a hit among all of the judges.

In one year María has been able to host international volunteers from Canada, Australia, and the United States. “I enjoy hosting volunteers very much. It is an opportunity for me and my family to learn about the world. I consider all of the people who come to stay in Sabana Grande part of my family,” explains Maria as she looks through the photos sent by past volunteers. Hosting international volunteers is also a way for María to improve her home through the microloan program offered through the Solar Women. A woman is able to borrow $50 – $150 to use for housing improvements. This loan is repaid through the stay of volunteers. With her previous loan, María was able to purchase a bed and table to furnish the bedroom of the volunteer. With the next loan she will work with the local carpenter to design a larger kitchen for her to use.

Contact María by sending an email to lasmujeressolares@saluddelsol.org.

• Subscribe to Salud del Sol

  • MIT Global Challenge Award Winners May 4, 2011 Bill
  • MIT Global Challenge Awards Replay May 3, 2011 Bill
  • 2011 IDEAS Competition & MIT Global Challenge Awards Celebration April 29, 2011 Bill

• Pictures (click for larger view)

  

• More about Salud del Sol

  The News & Events page has postings to Salud del Sol news coverage. You can also read about upcoming conference attendance and speaking events of Salud del Sol.