My name is Juana Jarquín, and my journey began 18 years ago when I arrived in the Cristo Rey community, in the Manchester Sector 5 annex. For me, it was nothing short of a blessing—at that time, I had nowhere to live. I thank God every day for the piece of land that became my home. Life has never been easy, but that gift gave me hope.
But in 2015, something incredible happened—Amy and Tim, through Life Together Nicaragua, changed my life. They built me a small house, a place where I could finally live with dignity. I am endlessly thankful for their kindness and the compassion they have shown not just to me, but to our entire community. I truly believe that God sent them to Cristo Rey, bringing with them a heart for the elderly and the forgotten.
To survive, I collect bottles and scrap metal at the garbage dump landfill in Cristo Rey. I sell what I can each month just to buy food, even though there are many days when I return to the dump in the afternoon—not to collect, but to search for food. I now care for my 4-year-old granddaughter, who was entrusted to me by my daughter, unable to raise her due to a battle with addiction. None of my three children offers support, and I face each day alone, doing my best.
Today, I rely on the daily meals provided at the community feeding program. It is there that I feel the love of God—through the meals, through the smiles, and through the hands that serve with such care and passion. Life Together Nicaragua is a constant blessing in my life. Every day, I witness God’s love through this ministry, and I pray it continues—not just for me, but for everyone in Cristo Rey. May God guide those who serve here and bless them with the strength and resources to expand their reach and impact more lives.
From the depths of my heart, I offer my sincere thanks to Tim, Amy, and every person who supports Life Together Nicaragua and for choosing this community. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude—but please know that it is immense and eternal.
Juana and some of our other amazing seniors.
Back to Help Us Rewrite Their Story:
From Poverty to Possibility