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Adiós Jorge, bienvenido Rolando

The end of April marked the end of a chapter for Nuevas Esperanzas as we said goodbye to Jorge Murillo who has worked with us for over four years.  Jorge is one of the founding members of Nuevas Esperanzas and has played an important role in developing the vision and strategy of the organisation. 

During his time with us Jorge has used his talents as a communicator and leader to great effect, motivating and inspiring rural communities and churches as well as the rest of the team.  Jorge has worked in community coordination, conflict resolution and ecumenical outreach.  He has developed pastoral care and training within our team, as well as in schools, churches and the communities in which we work.  Leading by example and responding to needs, on a typical day in the field Jorge has found himself hauling construction materials, vaccinating horses and praying for the sick.    We will miss his sense of humour, kindness, commitment and sensitivity to the needs of the poor, not to mention his wonderful music.  Jorge and his family are moving to the United States where Jorge will be able to keep in touch with Nuevas Esperanzas and offer support and first hand experience to the newly formed Nuevas Esperanzas US as they begin their task of promoting the work of Nuevas Esperanzas in the United States.

While we are very sorry to see Jorge leave, we are really pleased to welcome Rolando Castillo to the team.  Rolando first worked with us in 2006 when, as the pastor of the Baptist Church in San Jacinto, he was one of the pioneers in bringing the four churches in the community together to work on a rainwater harvesting project, Churches unite to catch the rain.  He has spoken at ecumenical meetings and retreats alongside Jorge and we are delighted he is now working with Nuevas Esperanzas full-time. 

Rolando brings experience as a pastor and a secondary school teacher as well as a great deal of local knowledge to his new role in Social and Spiritual Development.  One of his first tasks will be to support the leaders of the communities involved in the Mountain Rain project as they seek to maintain the excellent levels of community participation which have made this challenging project a success so far.

30/04/09