The letters below were sent by Pam Fitzpatrick and Paul Dix via email from Nicaragua.  They describe Pam and Paul's journey(s) back to Nicaragua to locate people who were the subjects of Paul's photos in the 1980s, during the "contra" war era.

Pam and Paul's goal is to document and share with the U.S. people -- through photographs and "testimonies" in Nicaraguans' own voices -- the horrific long-term effects of the contra war and ongoing U.S. and international policy on the lives of ordinary Nicaraguans.

These letters offer a glimpse of what life is like in Nicaragua today, as well as Pam and Paul's perspectives on current political affairs.   They are, in part, a personal travelogue describing the difficulties of travel but also the rewards of finding old friends and acquaintances.   Primarily, they tell heartbreaking stories of people maimed by war, and facing dire poverty and the most difficult of living conditions. The stories can be hard to read, but the spirit of the Nicaraguan people shines through as they struggle with strength and determination for a better life for their children and their communities.

2005 Letters

• June 10th (Bluefields, Kukra Hill, Orinoco, Pearl Lagoon, Managua)
  
• May 1st (Managua, Los Laureles, La Esperanza)
  
• April 13th (Yali, CAFTA)
  
• March 15th (Managua, Rio Blanco, Bocano de Paiwas)
  
• February 17th (Rio Coco, Pankawas, Rio Bocay, Miskitu and Mayangna indigenous peoples)
  
• January 26th (Ayapal, El Cua, San Jose de Bocay, La Dalia)
  
• January 8th (Solentiname Islands, Juigalpa, Lagartillo, Las Lajas, Venecia, Condega)

2004 Letters

• December 14th (Estelí, Jinotega, Matagalpa, Managua)
  
• November 27th (Somotillo, Chinandega, Managua)
  
• November 13th (Boaco, and Action Needed on CAFTA - Central America Free Trade Agreement)
  
• November 3rd (Managua, Esteli, Lagartillo, Nicaraguan Economy, U.S. Election)

2003 Letters

• April 7th (Managua, La Chureca dump)
• March 8th (Jinotega, Jose)
• March 1st (Quilali, El Cua, San Jose de Bocay )
• February 27th (Guasimo-Jinotega, Somotillo, Pajuil, Santo Tomas del Norte, Chinandega, Barrio Milagro de Dios-Managua)
• January 28th (Vacation at Ometepe, Lake Nicaragua, Finca Magdalena)
• January 6th (Bocana de Paiwas, Rio Blanco)

2002 Letters

• December 21st (Yali, Matagalpa)
• December 8th (Jalapa)
• November 27th (Lagartillo)
• November 11th (Condega, Los Arenales)
• November 8th (Robledal, Esteli, Via Esperanza)
• October 18th (Managua, Nicaraguan Economy)