On a quiet Sunday evening at the end of June in Cranford, NJ, about 50 local residents and friends came together in a creative pursuit to build solidarity  with an organization supporting disadvantaged kids in Nicaragua. The result? The “Brushstrokes for Peace” event at the Fire Me Up Studio netted $11k for the Inhijambia Program for Street Kids in Managua, Nicaragua.

The organizers of the “Brushstrokes” event had all traveled to Central America this past January with PeaceWorks, a 35-year old New Jersey-based non-profit organization that introduces local New Jerseyans to local Nicaraguans on yearly delegations. Those who traveled down to Nicaragua in January have become very close to the Inhijambia program which provides a wide range of services for children growing up in extreme poverty in Managua’s sprawling Eastern Market.

Cranford resident Skip Winter made his first trip to Nicaragua twelve years ago.

“Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, next to Haiti. Yet, the Nicaraguans greeted us warmly and really appreciated the friendship and assistance that we brought to them,” Winter said. 

He was particularly inspired by the Inhijambia Association’s program for Street Kids.

 “Inhijambia was the one that I felt most connected with. Their staff work miracles with street children living in the marketplace who experience substance addiction, domestic abuse and sexual violence. After meeting inhijambia’s educators working with kids, I personally wanted to become more involved.”

Winter and the other organizers of the “Brushstrokes for Peace” event also got 50 of their neighbors and friends involved. 

On June 28th they all met up at Cranford’s Fire Me Up! Studio to learn about Nicaragua while enjoying food and drink donated by local eateries. All of the participants got a chance to paint a Nicaraguan landscape with the expert support of the Fire Me Up! artists. 

Former Cranford teachers Paul Brown and his wife June traveled to Nicaragua for the first time in January.

“I was amazed and thrilled by the response from the local community,” Paul said, “Once we told people of our experience in Nicaragua this past January, they jumped right in to help”.

“Even the people who could not attend sent donations,” June Brown said. “Most gratifying was the support that came to us from our local restaurants and retailers in the form of gift cards and gifts for the Silent Auction. We were deeply touched and grateful for the community support.”

“When we shared those beautiful days during the delegation in January — a friendship was born that left a very special mark on my heart,” Inhijambia Deputy-Director Carlos Ernesto Molina said upon learning of the $10k raised for his organization in Nicaragua. “I never imagined that those moments of joy and togetherness would bear fruit in such an extraordinary gesture. Your generosity will help us tackle one of our greatest challenges: feeding the children. In our country, food costs are constantly rising, and this expense represents one of the largest shortfalls in our budget.”

“Brushstrokes” organizer Ellen Walsh, who made her first trip to Nicaragua six years ago, said that not only will more children be fed, but will also be “provided with more counseling and educational support.”

All of the organizers of the “Brushstrokes” event encouraged their friends and neighbors to see Nicaragua for themselves. PeaceWorks is organizing another delegation for January, 2027. Visit PeaceWorks.org for more details.

The Brushstrokes organizers also wanted to thank all of the sponsors, including: Ambelis Greek Taverna, Sapore D’Italia, Oasis Moroccan Restaurant, Old City Cafe and Grill, Venue 104 and Big Apple Pizza, Limani and Garlic Rose. They also thanked Margaret Malishchak, a PeaceWorks member and stained glass artist who donated one of her pieces for the silent auction. Last, but not least, their gratitude was extended to Tammie Ramos-Crispino, the owner of Fire Me Up Studio who made the evening happen!