COMMENTS RE.

THE SRF CLOSURE (FOLLOWING SRF 54)

The following comments were received by the Santa Rosa Fund from supporters and contacts
of the Fund following the distribution of SRF Newsletter No 54 in which the Fund announced
its intention to close its operations. They are listed in more or less the same order in which
they were received in the few months following the issue of the newsletter. Where
appropriate we have added in italics a note of explanation regarding the nature of the
writer’s relationship with the Fund. (We have removed email addresses for the sake of
protection of the writer’s privacy.)

Bruce Callow
[Bruce worked for the British Embassy in Costa Rica at a time when the Fund joined forces
with the Embassy to provide computers for the Santa Rosa School in Managua. He lives in
San José, Costa Rica.]
Sun 15/12/2019 12:32

Hi,
I’m sorry to hear that the Santa Rosa fund will not be continuing. You guys have been very
dedicated and done really good work over the years in Nicaragua.  I remember visiting your
school in Managua, I could see how much care went into its operation.
Best
Bruce

Martin Quinn
[Martin and the Quinn family have been great supporters of the Fund for many years.]
Sun 15/12/2019

Hi,
What a great shame and I am sure it’s particularly hard for you but I quite understand these
aren’t the sort of partnerships that can be maintained long term without the regular personal
contacts.
Thanks to all the trustees for keeping the show on the road.  The fundraising events have
given great pleasure to supporters and will be much missed!
Cheers, Martin

Jacky Rushall
[SRF trustee]
Sun 15/12/2019

Well done. A superb newsletter. It must have taken ages to sort everything out, thank you,
Jacky

Gill Holmes
[Gill is a translator now based in Dorset. For many years Gill worked in Nicaragua, and in
her last few years there served as the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign’s representative in
Managua. In that role she assisted the Santa Rosa Fund on many occasions.]
Sun 15/12/2019

Dear Martin and all the other members of the Santa Rosa Fund,
It was with a heavy heart that I read the news that the SRF is to close in 2020. I respect your
decision however and would like to acknowledge and thank you for all your hard work over
the years. I know how much your solidarity has meant to the many Nicaraguan partner
organisations with whom the SRF has worked.
Best wishes,
Gill  

Ken Martin
[Ken and Sue Martin have supporters of the Fund for many years and in 2009 volunteered at
the Santa Rosa School in Managua, teaching members of staff there to use the school’s
computers more effectively.]
Sun 15/12/2019

Hi,
A sad day indeed but you have to be proud of all the work you did for the SRF over the years.
Truly inspirational!
Love
Sue and Ken xx

Comments by telephone from David Oddie

[David runs Indra Congress which unites and forms partnerships between youth groups in
numerous countries of the world.]
16 December 2019

“Very sad to read about the closure of the Fund. It was a quietly inspirational organisation.”

Janet McNamara
[Janet has supported the Fund for many years.] 
16 December 2019
It must have been a very hard decision you made after all these years but seeing all your
achievements set out in the newsletter you should all feel very proud of your
commitment and the help you’ve given to so many people.  
Congratulations to you all.
 
Brian Mack
[Brian represents the Islington Managua Friendship Association (IMFA) which, like the
SRF, also supports educational initiatives and projects in Nicaragua.]
16 December 2019
Subject: RE: SRF Newsletter No. 54
 
Dear Martin,
Thank-you for the Newsletter. I will pass it on to the other Trustees of IMFA [Islington
Managua Friendship Association] and I’m sure they will be as saddened as I am to hear that
you are winding up. Although we have not had many formal ties, our paths crossed
occasionally through NSC meetings, running into Ralph or mutual friendships with Liz and
the Bairds. We have always looked up to your achievements in a similar field to ours though
we have never managed to fund such a range of projects as SRF. As an example, we funded a
new building to be a library and computer room three years ago but far from books and PCs,
we haven’t even managed to complete the building work! Reading your newsletter reminds
us it can be done.
 
I assume we also share some of the same problems: exchange rates; delivering funds;
accountability; ageing Trustees. With that in mind, if any of your Trustees wanted to continue
they would find a warm welcome in our group though I appreciate the geographical
issues.  Likewise if any donors wished to continue funding in the same field we would be
more than happy to accommodate them! [See website below]
 
Please pass on our congratulations to all the SRF group for an immensely impressive example
of solidarity at its best.
 
Regards
Brian
(http://www.imfa.georgey.co.uk/)

Alix Hughes
[Alix is Bristol City Twinning Officer. Bristol is twinned with, among other cities, Puerto
Morazán in Nicaragua. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, The
SRF worked closely with the Bristol-based Friends of Morazán in assisting Puerto
Morazán’s recovery efforts.]
16 December 2019
Subject: RE: SRF Newsletter No. 54
 
Sorry to hear this. A lesson for all of us to plan a succession if it is possible. Sometimes it
isn’t. Tough week – [Bristol] City lost twice, Labour lost once and now SRF closing down.
You guys did an amazing job and never forget that!
Alix

By email from Ann and Rupert Gude

[Long-term supporters of the SRF]
18 December 2019
Thank you for this email.
Naturally, we are much saddened by the closing of such a fantastic aid organisation as SRF;
you all have achieved so very much in the last 30 odd years. It is a wonder to look back to see
what has been done!
We fully understand the reasons for your joint decision to step back and close the fund. 
However you should be proud to have helped make the recipient organisations/partners stable
enough to be sustainable for the future. You have doubtless helped countless children and
young people into a more secure future for themselves and their families, all of whom I am
sure are extremely grateful to have been a receiving end of the SRF giving.
You all at SRF have managed to do what many small (and large) aid organisations have not,
namely build up sustainable projects that can be run for and by local people, to their greater
benefit. A most commendable and not easily attained goal.
I do not want to sound patronising if I was to say "very well done!" ...really, I so much
admire what you have all achieved. If I am allowed to be, I'd like to say I am proud of you!
It has been a great pleasure for us to have been associated with SRF in a small way, (from the
sidelines) and I know you will continue to support your partners in the future however you
can.
Very best wishes,
Ann and Rupert

From Geoff Orton

[Another long-term SRF supporter.]
19 December 2019

“You can justly celebrate your 31 years of making a real difference! Thank you.”

From Melanie and Alan Woollam

[And another couple of long-term SRF supporters.]
20.12.19

“What wonderful help you have given over the years. Well done.”

From Kit and Phil Harbottle

[And another couple of long-term SRF supporters.]
21 December 2019

“Thanks for the final Santa Rosa Fund newsletter. Well done for all you have enabled
through this, and thanks for the fun local events. Wise to end well.”

From Sallie Robins

[Another long-term SRF supporter.]
23.12.19
“Sorry to hear the news about SRF this must as you say have been a very difficult decision
but wonderful to reflect on all that you have achieved.  Do you have any recommendations
for a charity to support that does similar work as would be happy to move our standing order
for funds to someone else who is doing this type of work in Nicaragua or across that region.”

From Katie and Doug McMillan

[Katie and her sister Sarah worked with the Berriz Sisters in the town of El Viejo during
2005, and their whole family have been permanent SRF supporters ever since. ]
24 December 2019

“It was with some sadness I read the recent SRF Newsletter. I also feel grateful to have
played a very small part in the work of the SRF. I would like to sincerely congratulate all the
trustees for what you have accomplished over the years and all the lives you have made even
a little bit better. It’s very inspiring.”
From Neville Louden
[Neville worked in Nicaragua for many years including a spell with one of the SRF partner
organisations, the Berriz Sisters in El Viejo.]
24 December 2019

“I was catching up on a few emails tonight, read the Violence of Development update, and
was particularly interested to read the piece on El Salvador.
And then I got to the SRF newsletter … I suppose initially I was a little shocked and
saddened to read that. But I thought as I was reading it, I think I wrote to June re her last trip
“don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Reading it was good to see the plethora of projects and places supported, many of which I
know, or know of.
SRF is not unique – in recent years I saw a number of projects/small NGOs, which are all
around the 30 year mark, winding up, Pro Nica (Quakers) Ecumenical committee giving up,
Casa Ben Linder, Si a La Vida (Ometepe). The Project where I was just couldn’t be
sustained, and a few others. So there is something about life cycle.
I admire as well folk taking a painful but brave step, rather than just trying to keep something
going out of romance.
I would like to send a donation by cheque, if you can let me know how to do so.”

Neville

Jim and Sue Christopher

[At the time of the founding of the Santa Rosa Fund Jim had been a teacher at Southway
School in Plymouth, the founding link school before its closure, and Jim and Sue have been
SRF supporters ever since.]
Received 04.01.20

“To all involved with the SRF,

Please find a donation enclosed. I hope that you are bringing the initiative to a close with a
huge sense of achievement. Who would have thought that so much ‘on-the-ground’ good
could have been achieved in those early days of putting those parcels together in Southway?
Best wishes and congratulations.
Jim and Sue”

Kath and Brian Hicks

[Kath and Brian have been long-term SRF supporters.]
7th January 2020

“We will miss the newsletter.”

Anonymous
6th January 2020
“What wonderful work you and your co-trustees and all the others have done. Small charities
with passion and integrity really making changes that dramatically improve lives.”

From Sally and Peter Challis

[Sally and Peter have been long-term SRF supporters.]
8th January 2020

“So sorry to read that Santa Rosa Fund is closing, but completely understand why. The
personal connection has been its great strength.”

From Pat and Pete Mayston

[Both Pat and Pete have been trustees of the Santa Rosa Fund since its very early days.]
7th January 2020

“We have had lots of verbal comments from people when they have learnt about our decision
to close SRF.  Everybody is quite shocked and saddened by the closure but all have been very
understanding of our reasons for closing and it’s been very obvious how much people have
valued and respected the charity and the partnerships we have forged in Nicaragua.”

From Sarah Miles

[Sarah accompanied her sister Katie in 2005 in the Nicaraguan town of El Viejo where the
SRF has always had a strong presence. They both became strong supporters and advocates
for the SRF ever since that time. In 2012 Sarah ran a marathon under sponsorship for the
benefit of the SRF.]
11th January 2020

“I am just catching up with stuff post the Christmas chaos and have read the sad news that the
Santa Rosa Fund is closing down. Thank you for all your hard work in helping many worthy
causes in Nicaragua.”

From Helen Yuill

[Helen is coordinator of the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign which has always been
supportive of the Santa Rosa Fund.]
January 2020

Dear SRF Trustees,

Thanks very much for the copies of your news bulletin announcing that you have taken what
must have been a very painful decision to close down.
Your bulletin celebrating your achievements is such a very powerful testament to the
relationships of friendship and trust that you have had with your partner organisations and the
way in which relatively small amounts of well spent money can make such a difference.
With great respect.
Helen Yuill
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign
http://www.nicaraguasc.org.uk
From Tim Legg
[Tim was one of the original trustees of the Santa Rosa Fund who moved to France with his
wife Céline and two children in the late 1990s but has continued to support the Fund
generously from afar.]
February 2020

Just a quick note to let you know that the announcement of the winding-up of the SRF was
not received in this corner of the world with indifference! From a purely personal
perspective, the SRF has been a marvellous example of collaboration to further compassion,
solidarity, social justice and education. I am proud of the (tiny) part I played in this project
and immensely grateful to you and all those who have given so much over the years for
having taught me so much.

Thank you, Tim

From Carolyn Squire

[Carolyn was also a trustee of the SRF in its early years and has been a constant supporter
ever since.]
19 March 2020

“So sorry it’s finishing, but well done for keeping it going for so many years.
Best wishes and many thanks,”
Carolyn

From Sara Roberts

[Sara lived and worked in Ecuador for numerous years, but was always interested and keen
to hear more about the Central America region and chose to hear more about it through the
work of small-scale, grassroots organisations like the Santa Rosa Fund.]
5th May 2020

I was so sad to read the last edition of the Santa Rosa Fund newsletter and to see that your
wonderful organisation is coming to an end (though thankfully not the projects you have been
sponsoring and supporting in Nicaragua). I completely understand and respect the decision,
however, and I can see that it may just be the right thing to happen at this point. 

The work of the Santa Rosa Fund and its associates on the ground has been an inspiration to
me over the years, and remains an inspiration to us all and an example of what can actually
be achieved by small-scale, grassroots charitable organisations and community initiatives and
with commitment and vision. I really was quite moved to read the updates in your last
newsletter and to see how much has been achieved over the years to improve people's lives in
a real way, somewhere the other side of the world.

I have been wondering how the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic will be
affecting the communities the Santa Rosa Fund has been working with in Nicaragua. I have
been in touch with my host family in Ecuador about the situation over there but have no idea
how Central America has been affected. Do you think it would be a good time for former
members to offer to donate even a small amount of money to help the SRF's partner
organisations now? I have cancelled my standing order but would be happy to make a one-off
payment if to do so would help in some tangible way in the current circumstances.

With warmest wishes,

Sara