Minamalist Living and Nicaragua’s Poverty

Yesterday I had a lengthy conversation with Tim the turtle man. He explained that 98% of the donations he receives go to paying the former poachers bringing in turtle nests and the turtle watchers who are there around the clock guarding the eggs. He sad that he has converted poachers into turtle lovers, who are now excited to see the turtles hatch and be released. He explained that there continues to be a black market for turtle eggs, which are served as a delicacy in restaurants, although gradually the Nicaraguans were becoming better educated about the plight of the turtles.

 He also spoke about the need for a new model for NGOs, where leaders stop taking large salaries, where adminustrative costs be greatly curbed, and where fundraising does not involve throwing expensive fundraisers that are costly to put on.

Tim is clearly someone who spends a great deal of time outside, with a deep tan, and wearing old clothes. When I asked him what he lived off, as he does not take a salary, he told me that he is a minimalist whose needs are few, and that if necessary he can always feed himself from the abundant foods that can be harvested in the jungle. 

 And in response to my question of how many turtles would survive if he wasn't rescuing him, I was shocked to hear that none would survive, as the poachers take everything they can find to sell on the black market. 

 After Haiti, Nicaragua is the poorest country in Latin America. It has the highest degree of income inequality in the world. 82.3% of the people live in extreme poverty, living on less than a $1 per day, and in many rural areas the poverty is much worse. 

 Tim is an artist who used to run several art galleries. He sells little turtle paintings, often to guests of Costa Dulce, as another way of raising some money to support his cause. 

 How can we help? He says that short-term volunteers are not really that helpful, and what is needed are people willing to dedicate the time to learn how to manage turtle nurseries, and to start new nuseries.