LIVING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF US POLICY: NICARAGUA REVISITED
Nicaragua PhotoTestimony Project
 Nicaragua
About Pam and Paul | About the Project | Letters from Nicaragua | Photos and Stories |       U.S. Speaking Tour(s) 2003-2006 | Book Project | How You Can Contribute | Links to Other Organizations

Letter from Nicaragua Click here to read the latest (6/10/05) letter from Nicaragua
Editor's Note/Special Appeal:  Pam and Paul returned from Nicaragua in June of 2005, and have recently completed a tour of the U.S. with a slide presentation about this project.  Now they are beginning work on their book.  If you are able to contribute to the project, please see How You Can Contribute below.
About Pam and Paul
Pam and Paul
2004, Pam and Paul with their trusty camper.

Paul Dix is a professional photographer who has traveled the world photographing nature as well as people and the impact of wars and poverty.  He lived in Nicaragua from 1985 to 1990, working on the staff of Witness for Peace.  He lived and traveled in the conflict zones and used his camera to document many of the atrocities of the "contra" war, as well as the beauties of the Nicaraguan countryside and people.

Pam Fitzpatrick is a professional community organizer who worked in the Sanctuary movement in the early 1980s and was director of the North Pacific Witness for Peace office in Eugene, Oregon from 1985 to 1993.  She led delegations to Nicaragua, the Texas border, and more.
Pam maintains a home in Eugene, OR and Paul lives in Livingston, MT when they are not in Nicaragua or "on the road" in the U.S.
About the Nicaragua Photo Testimony Project
babyalexi

In October of 2002 -- nearly thirteen years after the February 1990 elections that removed the Sandinistas from power -- Pam and Paul returned to Nicaragua.  They spent six months traveling throughout the country, trying to find and interview some of the same people that Paul had photographed in the 1980s during the "contra war" era.  After a year back in the U.S., they returned to Nicaragua again in October of 2004, for another six month stay.  Their goal was to document -- through taped interviews or "testimonies," photographs, and more -- the long term effects of the contra war and its aftermath on the lives of ordinary Nicaraguans.

In fact, they documented much more -- the terrible poverty, ongoing violence, and continued horrific effects of U.S. and international policy.  But they also captured inspiring stories of people who are struggling with strength and determination for a better life for themselves, their children and their communities.
1988, Geraldine Martinez Galeano and her son Alexi ...who lost his leg to a contra bullet.

Pam and Paul hope that this project will help the people of the U.S. see the faces and hear the voices of the people of Nicaragua, and come to understand the role that U.S. policies have played, and continue to play, in keeping Nicaragua and other Central American countries in poverty and violence.  They believe this understanding is an important step toward promoting more just U.S. and world policies -- policies that promote peace, basic decency, and more equitable distribution of wealth and resources.
Alexi

2003, Alexi playing kickball.

U.S. Speaking Tour(s)
HELPING THE PEOPLE OF THE U.S. UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF U.S. POLICY

Presentation
Pam and Paul prepared a slide show and presentation about the people they found and testimonies they recorded in Nicaragua.  In 2003 and 2005-6, they toured the U.S. and brought the presentation to college classes, churches, and other public audiences in scores of towns and cities across the country.  Some of their recent presentations were in Pocatello, ID, Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, Telluride and Durango, CO, Phoenix and Tucson, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Sioux Falls, SD, Oberlin, OH, New York City, Worcester, MA, and Newark, DE.  Though their latest tour is now completed, they will consider making additional presentations by special arrangement.   Contact them at: pamnpaul2@earthlink.net

Book Project
A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE EFFECTS OF THE U.S.-FUNDED CONTRA WAR ON THE NICARAGUAN PEOPLE

Pam and Paul plan to produce a high quality book of the photos and testimonies of Nicaraguans that they have gathered for this project.  The book will stand as lasting documentation of the real and horrific long term effects of U.S. and international policy on ordinary Nicaraguans -- historical documentation that the people of Nicaragua deserve, and that the people of the U.S. and the world need to understand why we must fight to change these policies.  The book will be a powerful testament of the suffering of the Nicaraguan people, but also a tribute to their resilience, beauty, humor, and amazing ability to forgive.

It is very costly to produce high quality photo books.  Given the nature of this project, it may not be possible to find a publisher willing to front the necessary funds.  Pam and Paul are meeting with publishers, but are also committed to self-publishing the book, if this is the only way for it to become a reality.   Costs to self-publish the book could be as high as $70,000 to $100,000, some of which will be recovered by sales of the book after publication.  However, a significant part of this amount needs to be raised before production can begin.  If you are interested in helping Pam and Paul cover the costs of self-publishing the book, send email to: pamnpaul2@earthlink.net.

How You Can Contribute

Contributions to the Nicaragua Photo Testimony Project will be used by Pam and Paul to help cover their costs of travel, housing, food, film, photo processing, gifts of food and photos for Nicaraguan families, photocopying, and other costs associated with trips to Nicaragua, the U.S. speaking tour(s), and production of the book.   Contributions of any size are welcome and greatly appreciated. 

To make a contribution to the Nicaragua Photo Testimony Project:

  • If you do not need a tax deduction for your contribution, make the check out to Pam Fitzpatrick/Nicaragua Fund.
  • If you do want to take a tax deduction for your contribution, make the check out to Bozeman Quaker Meeting, and be sure to note on the check that it is for the "Paul Dix Nicaragua Fund."  Include your full name and mailing address, and you will receive a letter acknowledging your tax-deductible contribution. 

Send all checks to:

            Bozeman Quaker Meeting "Paul Dix Nicaragua Fund"
            c/o Helen Alexander
            3300 Graf Street #3
            Bozeman, MT   59715  

To contact Pam and Paul, send email to: pamnpaul2@earthlink.net

Links to Other Organizations
WORKING TOWARD POLICIES PROMOTING PEACE AND JUSTICE IN CENTRAL AMERICA

For more information, and to get involved in supporting improved U.S. and international policies affecting Nicaragua and Central America, contact:

This site maintained by Becky Riley.  Send email to briley@efn.org.  Last update: May 28, 2006.