A legacy of improving world for strangers
Elizabeth “Tish” Gibbs’ dream to make the world a better place for the people of Nagarote, Nicaragua, is a legacy that will live on in this tiny barrio and in the hearts and minds of all who knew her. She passed away on July 22 in her home in Norwalk at age 85
In 1986, a difficult time in the history of the people of Nicaragua, Tish, her husband Bill and a few other people traveled to Nicaragua and upon returning wanted to create something positive after seeing the results of what a civil war and natural disasters had done to the country, the second poorest one in the Western Hemisphere. Out of this experience the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project was born. From its early humble beginnings, it has grown like a radiant star and for the past 23 years, Tish served as the volunteer executive director. Using her intelligence, passion, imagination and organizational skills she created what today is a model nonprofit for sustainable community development. With her wisdom as a grant writer, she helped acquire necessary funds to manage the project. She also gave incredible amounts of her own monies to support the staffing and programs.
It is hard to comprehend the impact this project has had on the young people and families of this community. Or to put it another way, what would this barrio had been like without this vision? What has been created there is truly remarkable. From the land which was purchased, a community center has been built. And in that mustard-colored compound are classes for teenagers to learn about computers, tailoring, beauty skills, sewing, cooking, karate which have led to young people using skills learned to start their own businesses. Tutoring is available for elementary age children and families gather there for socializing and informative presentations.
On another piece of property purchased by the project is a thriving farm, used to teach the community how to do chemical free farming, raise nutritional awareness and create new eating habits for the families. Most recently, buildings have been added to the community center and an exemplary preschool has started which will also be a model for best practices in early childhood education for the area.
To have been part of this journey for the past 17 years, visited and observed first-hand the successes and seen it evolve and grow has been heartwarming. What one woman’s vision has done for a community has made all the difference in the lives of so many people. Where once no one here attended college, now the project offers college scholarships to young people. Those are given to worthy candidates who in turn give back to the program by volunteering in different capacities. Many of the staff members are former participants in the programs which speaks volumes of their love and commitment to the project and the desire to keep it going for future generations.
Tish’s heart was always in the right place and her legacy will live on through this gift she has given to the people of Nagarote and the City of Norwalk. If anyone from Norwalk was to visit this community they would be greeted with the warmth of a returning hero. The gratitude felt by everyone toward the people of Norwalk and those who have helped to make this vision a viable opportunity for helping people raise themselves out of poverty is immeasurable.
On Facebook there have been countless postings of tributes from Nagarote to Tish, what she stood for and what this project has meant to them. A prayer-vigil, notes from staff members and words of love and compassion for this lady who never sought the spotlight but only wanted to do what in her heart she knew was the right thing have flooded the internet.
All of us who had the privilege of working on the board of directors with her, those who have contributed over the years to help fund the programs and friends are eternally grateful to have been a part of this journey she started to leave the world just a little better than she found it. The present on site director, Miguel Salinas, a young Nicaraguan, exemplifies all that Tish wished a program director would be; compassionate, committed, creative, bright and loved by the community he serves.
Maybe Robert Kennedy’s words speak to this amazing woman the best. “Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not.”
It is the wish of the Board of Directors of the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project and its supporters that we carry on with the vision of Elizabeth “Tish” Gibbs and continue this wonderful partnership with the people of Nagarote as we journey ahead to make their lives richer through the opportunities provided by the generosity of friends of this gem of a project.
Thank you, Tish, for your gifts of time, love, compassion, monies, and vision. Truly a life lived in the service of others.