The Mayor of Ocotal Edward Centeno with David Cox visiting Lord Bolingbroke at Swindon's historic Lydiard Park in July

Strengthening the links with our twin town on the other side of the globe

The Mayor of Ocotal Edward Centeno with David Cox visiting Lord Bolingbroke at Swindon's historic Lydiard Park in July

The Mayor of Swindon, councillor David Cox, describes his recent trip to Ocotal

When I chose the "El Hogar De los Ancianos," an elderly persons home in Ocotal, Swindon's twin town in Nicaragua, as one of my charities, I never envisaged that I would actually visit Ocotal.

When their Mayor, Edward Centeno was in Swindon in July on a friendship visit organised by SOL (Swindon Ocotal Link) he extended an invitation to visit his country.

On the 17 October myself, the Mayoress, my partner Jenny Dean with three members of SOL, Bruce Clarke, Karen Mayell and Maria Luengo arrived in Ocotal.

One of the houses on the new estate	Children at 'El Commodore', a pre-school funded by Swindon Ocotal Link on the old estate

I shall never forget my first view of the town. After a four hour drive from Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, along the Trans-American Highway through breathtaking mountainous scenery, Ocotal suddenly appeared in front of us nestled in the mountains. We immediately could see where Hurricane Mitch had hit the town in 1997; equally you could see evidence of rebuilding. A new road and bridge - the only way in and out of the town - had been totally washed away and had to be replaced.

Edward had organised an extensive programme for us, beginning with a Civic ceremony. He thanked the people of Swindon for their friendship and solidarity over the years and all the help that had been provided after Hurricane Mitch. He declared that we were honoured guests and granted the Mayoress and myself the "Keys of the City". This was a great honour that had never been given to anyone before.

Street children in the support centre set up at the bus station

Although Nicaragua is a very poor country, there is lots of evidence of improvement. One striking project is a new housing estate on the edge of Ocotal. After the revolution in the 1980s when the people came back to live in the town, they set up homes on a former rubbish tip. This is no more than a shanty town, no proper sanitation and only a couple of standpipes for water. Now the proper brick built houses are being constructed, with electricity, a dry toilet and a water supply to each house. The occupier of the house that we visited said that it was "their castle". It had given them a better standard of life and something to be proud of. Their garden was a mass of flowers grown from seeds given to them by Swindon Ocotal Link.

On this new estate a wonderful health centre had been built, funded entirely by SOL. It is the most modern one in Ocotal and provides much needed health care, advice and medicines. At the moment it is only open three days a week, but this is soon to change when they increase the number of staff.

Much work still to be done with repairing roads and installing storm drains

Another on-going project funded by international aid is the building of storm gullies and drains at the sides of the roads. The majority of roads in Ocotal are no more than dirt tracks, which are awash with water during the rainy season. Some are extremely steep. This causes great concern for the older houses that are built from mud bricks. These drains will take away the water making their homes safer. This was evident from Hurricane Mitch when many people lost their homes. Edward was also very proud of the project to install septic tanks to the poorer areas of Ocotal. Prior to this these people had no proper means of sewage removal.

The elderly people's home was surprisingly a bright cheery place. The banners were up to greet us. It is home to 21 elderly residents and is the only one in Ocotal. Without it they would be on the streets. It is constantly under the threat of closure due to lack of funding. There was only one full time carer and two part time volunteers who did everything, cooking, washing, cleaning. A nurse did visit regularly but medication was very limited.

It was noticeable that the residents had very few possessions. One elderly bare-footed gentleman approached the Mayoress and said that all he wanted was a pair of shoes. Jenny was so moved by this that she bought a pair the next day and took them to him. He was overwhelmed and could not thank her enough.

The home relies heavily on charity for its day-to-day running costs. They do get a payment from central government of $600 per quarter, though sometimes it is does not arrive. While we were there we gave them some of the money that has already been raised for them which was to be used for food and medicines.

The new health centre built with funding from Swindon Ocotal Link

Another noticeable item that we kept seeing were the water filter units that are sponsored by SOL. Although many homes have a water supply it is not safe to drink. These units are very basic. A plastic container with an earthenware filter and lid. The filtered water is 100% pure and safe to drink. The cost of these units is only $10, but many families are still too poor to afford one. For a few cents they can buy a small plastic bag of water or they send the children out to beg for water.

We visited various pre-school groups and the school. We fascinated the children. Every time they saw a camera they wanted their photo taken. Schooling is free in Ocotal, but as they have to have a school uniform and pay for all their books and pens, many families cannot afford to send their children. Consequently there are many street children.

David Cox hands over a donation from Swindon to Edward Centeno to help ' El Hogar De los Ancianos'

A couple of years ago some of the young boys started boot cleaning opposite the Town Hall. Now a shelter has been built for them and they have formed their own co-operative and have a flourishing business. At the bus station there is a day centre, run by volunteers where the street children are encouraged to go. They are taught to make things that they can sell for small amounts of money.

One thing that is noticeable in Ocotal is that people are helping themselves. There is a lot of international aid, but they do not take it for granted. They are proud of what they have and extremely grateful for what is being done. These people have been through a terrible revolution and a disastrous hurricane. They deserve all the help that they can get. What they cannot give back in a material way they certainly make up for it with their hospitality and the hand of friendship.

Further details of SOL can be obtained from the chairman Bruce Clarke, 11 Fosse Close, SWINDON SN2 2BP. (01793) 533338 E-mail bruce@wessex.net