Copa Sandino football raises £1,500 for Puerto Morazan preschool
The Copa Sandino football for Nicaragua tournament in Bristol has been going every year since 1987 (apart from the Covid year). Over this time the event has raised tens of thousands of pounds for a range of solidarity, health, education and development projects in Nicaragua.
On 2 June, in Nica like blistering sunshine, over 200 people took part either as members of the 16 teams or as spectators. The pop up Colombian street food kitchen sold out and while the players ate their arepas, they also took part in a Win Some Beer Nicaraguan Quiz.
Copa Sandino holders the Salmons won again (pictured above with runners up Cobras) and go level at the top of the all-time list with four wins. Credit: BLINC
The event raised over £1,500 for the construction of the Jose Montealegre preschool for under fives in Bristol’s twin town, Puerto Morazan. This will be matched by former Bristol Mayor George Ferguson who visited Nicaragua recently.
The Mayor’s office in Puerto Morazan has given and cleared the site for free and the Ministry of Education is organising a rota of parents and volunteers to work alongside a Nicaraguan construction team starting work in July.
Former mayor George Ferguson with community members at the Jose Dominguez pre school (with peace mural) built with funds from Bristol Link with Nicaragua (BLINC) in 2023. Credit: BLINC
For further information about Bristol Link with Nicaragua