Reyna is a homemaker living in Los Proyectos de Sabana Grande, Totogalpa, Madriz, Nicaragua, with her husband, Simon, and her children: Eddie (age 20), Olman (age 18), Areyli (age 12), and a dog. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with volunteers and reading the bible. She despises people who steal animals.

During 2006 Reyna and her family lived in the mountains surrounding Sabana Grande. Then the disastrous hurricane Mitch tore through the houses in this part of Nicaragua. Luckily, at that time, Los Proyectos were being built under sponsorship of the Spanish government. While Reyna and her family appreciate the opportunity to have a new home, she misses the solitude of their house in the mountains.

Recently, Reyna has taken a microloan to make improvements on her home. The loan was used to purchase cement. Her husband and two sons worked for two weeks to construct two additional bedrooms outside of the house so their family will be better able to host volunteers. Her loan is being paid for this summer by University of Dayton ETHOS volunteer, Matt Wills.

Simon, her husband, is a pastor in Santo Domingo, the closest municipality near Sabana Grande. Three days a week, Reyna travels with him to visit the people of his parish.

Reyna works with the Solar Women of Totogalpa as part of the Solar Cooker Production Team (in the photo, she is holding the board). In this capacity, she has learned how to construct solar cookers with four other solar women. Reyna enjoys being a part of this committee and earning “$HOURS,” which she is able to spend at the “Tienda Verde.” This past April, the Team had an order for 22 cookers from the mayor of Esteli, a large city.

Reyna currently does not have her own solar cooker. She is accumulating “$HOURS” in order to purchase one in the near future. Every other day, her son Olman travels two hours to search for wood for their indoor wood-burning stove.

One of her favorite parts about working with the Solar Women of Totogalpa is being able to host international volunteers. For Reyna and her family opportunity is an invaluable experience. She enjoys talking to volunteers and learning about their lives. “It is an opportunity for me and my family to learn about the world and for us to welcome another person into the family of Sabana Grande and the Solar Women of Totogalpa.”

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

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