In the last week of May, La Familia Padre Fabretto participated in a series of events with the South Florida Youth Symphony that was visiting Nicaragua from Miami, promoting a cultural exchange between their students and ours. Children from all five Fabretto centers were able to partake in activities that helped to introduce them to the world of classical music.

On Monday May 29th, a group of 70 students from Cusmapa, Quebrada Honda, Somoto and Estelí traveled to Managua to attend the Symphony?s first rehearsal in the Ruben Darío National Theater. These students are involved in the music programs at their centers and most were visiting the capital city for the first time. They spent the morning in the theater, as the Symphony rehearsed for their gala concert. Later, they were taken on a quick tour of some historical sites in Managua, and enjoyed lunch at the Fabretto offices, which had been donated by local restaurants.

Tuesday May 30th was Mother?s Day, an important holiday in a culture in which many families are headed by women. A group of eight musicians from the Symphony visited our center in San Isidro, to participate in the Mother?s Day celebration. The Fabretto children performed music and dance pieces for their mothers and their North American visitors. Afterwards, the Symphony musicians then played for the children and families of San Isidro. This was a very special gift for the San Isidro community, in addition to the donations of clothing and supplies which were brought and left with center staff.

The final and most outstanding event was the May 31st Gala Concert at the Ruben Darío National Theater. A total of nearly 200 children and staff from San Isidro were in attendance. The President and First Lady of Nicaragua, Enrique Bolaños and Lila T. Abaunza were also there, as well as many other personalities from the American and Nicaraguan diplomatic communities and the local performing arts scene. The children were seated in the second balcony, with an excellent view of the stage. Only a few had ever been in the theater before, and even fewer had ever been introduced to classical music. The concert was a great success for the Symphony, and was greatly enjoyed by the children.

This type of cultural exchange is of great benefit for our students and was made possible through generous gifts from donors who attended our Miami Night for Niños event in March. The friendship formed with the South Florida Youth Symphony will surely be long lasting and productive and will offer a unique gift to Fabretto?s children. All of this would have been thoroughly enjoyed by Father Fabretto, who was himself a great music lover.

During July and early August, our Child Sponsors will be receiving their semi-annual letters from their sponsored children giving an update on their lives at home and at school. So if you are a Sponsor - be on the lookout for your emailed letter. We know you are looking forward to hearing from your child once again!

For those of you not familiar with our sponsorship program, the correspondence between Sponsors and their children is one of the great rewards of sponsorship. It gives our Sponsors a direct and personal link with their child and insight into life in Nicaragua from that child's perspective. In return, writing the letters is important to the children because it allows them to express their gratitude for the support they receive from their Padrino or Madrina. In addition, it is a huge thrill or them to get responses from their Sponsors who live so far away. Following is a copy of a letter from one little girl, Darling, to her Sponsors written last fall.

Dear Padrino/Madrina,

I am so happy to be able to write you. My family and I are so grateful that you are sponsoring me. I am 9 years old. I am a happy girl and I like to play with all my friends. I have four siblings, and we are very close. I am in 4th grade. In the morning, I go to a school called El Rosario. I live in a neighborhood called April 14th. The place where we live is very pretty and there are many beautiful natural sites to see because we are in the mountains. I hope you can come visit.

In the afternoon, I go to Fabretto?s María Auxiliadora center in Esteli. There I learn arts and crafts, culture and character development, play sports, get tutoring help, and eat lunch. The food that I like the most is beans and rice. I also have a dog. My favorite subject in school is Math. I hope that you write me soon and tell me about your life. I would also like to see any photos that you want to send.

Thank you for all the support you are giving me, you will be in my prayers and may God bless you - Darlin

If you are not already receiving wonderful letters like this ? then you are not a Sponsor! Become a Child Sponsor, change a child?s life, and look forward to learning about and sharing in his or her life as you help and encourage your child to stay in school, succeed in school, and break the cycle of poverty.

We are excited to report on the progress of two construction projects that will have a major impact on the quality of life and instruction for our students.

Pictured here is our new library in Cusmapa which is essentially complete except for a few interior painting details. As we?ve told you in past e-newsletters, much of the work on this building was done by visiting volunteer groups and we are so grateful for their help. The building will be ready for use after the mid year break this month.

Meanwhile, in San Isidro, thanks to the generosity of the Tin Roof Foundation and other supporters, a new cultural center being built in the memory of Father Fabretto is nearing completion. It should be ready by the end of August at which time students will be able to study music, folkloric dance, use the study areas, and the memorial room to reflect on their lives and remember Father Fabretto in a lovely new facility. The staff and children of San Isidro are looking forward to having access to this new building which will help alleviate a dire need for additional instruction space on the campus. Graced also with a small outdoor amphiteater where children can sit and hang out with their friends, the new Memorial Center is sure to become the center of life in San Isidro!

Thank you to all who have helped make these important projects happen!

This Sunday,July 16, our Seattle Committee is doing something new ? a 5K run around Golden Gardens Park which will end up at the beach overlooking Puget Sound. There, runners and non-runners alike (you don?t even have to run to participate!) will find a Bar-B-Q, volleyball tournament, and a silent auction. The $25 cost will cover lunch and a drink ? whether you run or not! So come and do something fun with us in the Emerald City. And please let your Seattle friends know about this event by forwarding this newsletter. It would be a great way for you to introduce them to Fabretto in a very relaxed environment!

On July 28, a showing of the play Mr. Marmalade at the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, West Virginia will be held in honor of the Fabretto Children's Foundation. The play, by newcomer playwright Noah Haidle, is about a four year girl who creates a surprisingly sophisticated fantasy land with her imaginary friend, Mr. Marmalade. It is a grown-up play about playing grown-up that the New Yorker calls "exhilirating".

And down the road....mark your calendar for these upcoming Night for Ninos Benefits!

October 21- Washington, DC
November 3 - Chicago, IL

Details on both will soon be available on our website.