ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Dear friends,
The year 2020 was extraordinarily challenging. In Nicaragua, we not only had to deal with the pandemic and the accompanying economic downturn, but we also faced two back-to-back hurricanes that plummeted entire communities in the Caribbean region. It was hard to remain hopeful.
Yet, despite the loss and hardship, I also witnessed extraordinary generosity and commitment. We created emergency relief funds, raised over $2.5 million in a matter of months, and delivered much-needed humanitarian aid to thousands of families living in poverty and highly vulnerable conditions. Hundreds of goodhearted people contributed to ANF without even being asked. The outpouring of support gave us renewed hope.
Frightened by covid but ultimately undeterred, our staff took to the field to help impoverished and disaster-stricken communities. Times of crisis reveal a person’s true character. From the warehouse crew who worked overtime handling thousands of boxes of aid to the project staff who rebuilt schools and homes, what I saw was a team full of resolve, emboldened by a heightened sense of purpose, working more passionately than I had ever seen in many years at ANF.
I was further humbled by our field partners. Priests ran toward danger to help families evacuate. Nuns cared for and sheltered families in their convent. Missionaries, neck-deep in water, transported food and water filters to families on roofs. Impacted by their stories, our donors gave openhandedly and helped in unprecedented ways.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to ANF’s team, our partners, and especially our donors. You made the extraordinary happen, turning despair into hope.
May God bless your generous heart.
Nicolás Argüello
Executive Director