Visits from San Francisco Libre

July 2003
Mayor José Ángel

The mayor of San Francisco Libre visited Reading in July 2003, to attend anniversary celebrations laid on by Reading Borough Council. Mayor José Ángel and representatives from Reading's three other twin towns were invited to events marking 750 years since Reading received its first Royal Charter.

Following receptions, a formal dinner and a fiesta, José Ángel enjoyed the hospitality of various members of the RSFL Association, and was treated to a diverse itinerary. Sr. Ángel owns a small private transport company and so was taken to a number of transport related organisations around Reading. He was also treated to a tour of the Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC), and visited the organisations which helped Jeyserd during his time here - such as Reading College, and the Parish of St James & St William of York.

The people of San Francisco Libre rely on subsistence farming, so a visit to Elm Farm near Newbury was arranged, where José learned about the organic farming techniques employed there.

Towards the end of his stay in Reading, the mayor attended a public meeting at RISC, where he talked about his constituency, and the various community and construction projects he has instituted. We were very encouraged by his enthusiasm for Jeyserd's carpentry workshop, and he made several generous promises of support for the project.

July 2002 - July 2003
Jeyserd

Jeyserd arrived in Reading in 2002, to take up a generous offer by Reading College of a scholarship to study Carpentry. Further assistance was provided by the local Parish of St James and St William of York, who raised funds for him, and arranged Jeyserd's accommodation while he was here. Jeyserd is now back in Nicaragua and the RSFLA is helping him establish and develop a small Carpentry Workshop in San Francisco Libre.

You can find out more about Jeyserd in our 'Projects' section, on this page.

March 2002
Milton

The year 2002 was declared ”The year of the Twin Towns” by Reading Borough Council. A whole range of activities took place that year, starting with the Reading Half Marathon. Both Dusseldorff and San Francisco Libre managed to find a willing volunteer to come over and run the 13 1⁄2 miles on the 10th March 2002.

Our runner, Milton, is the PE teacher at the local school in San Francisco Libre. His airfare was paid for by money raised by Mark Lawrie, an employee of Reading Borough Council who ran in the 2001 London Marathon.

Milton ran with Toni Pujol, a member of the Association, and together they raised money for San Francisco Libre. Our thanks go to Mark who made this visit possible and also to Safestore in Caversham, who provided Milton with a pair of running shoes. Thanks are also due to Reading Borough Council for all the support they have given to the organisation of the visit. The two runners raised over 1000 pounds, which is tremendous.