Highland woman loves working for Nicaragua Christian Education Foundation
Marketing Director Kelly Wilhelm of the Nicaragua Christian Education Foundation exemplifies the phrase, “We are our brother’s keeper.”
She and her husband, John, just completed their seventh trip to Managua, Nicaragua this past February before borders were closed due to coronavirus, not forgetting the civil unrest present in that country. But their time in between journeys does not stop them from sending numerous care packages year round.
Kelly was born Jan. 4, 1966, in Belleville, the first born of Albert and Rosalie Kaiser. Later, younger brother Edward Paul joined the family. Kelly said their mother instilled in her the value of donating time and energies to help others. Case in point, the Troy Library was aided by Kelly’s mom who collected books for the library when it opened. Additionally, Kelly volunteered with the 4H program.
Both of their parents, now deceased, taught Kelly not to ever take credit for good deeds, but rather to work together with others, as a team.
Kelly attended Triad High School in Troy and focused on English and writing in foreign languages. She graduated in 1984 and began attending college. However, her mother’s health quickly deteriorated and Kelly dropped out to stay home and care for her mother until she passed in 1985.
Kelly then began attending Southwestern Illinois College. While her dad was having a farm building erected in Lebanon, Kelly met one of the workers.
“He had such a nice smile and was a kind person,” recalls Kelly.
They married Nov. 14, 1987, and then Kelly completed her secondary education at Liberty University.
When they began adding adding children to their family, Kelly chose to be a stay-at-home mom for her four sons — Matthew, Joshua, Sam and Jacob — and one daughter, Hannah.
In 2010 she was privileged to meet the NiCE founder and quickly realized she wanted to be a part of this organization. The goal of NiCE is to partner with local churches and Christian schools in Nicaragua. They host several programs, including short term mission teams, Feed Nicaragua, and child scholarships. They are a 5013C non-profit organization powered by countless volunteers and selfless donors.
But their efforts have not been without obstacles. In 2018, the Nicaraguan protests began April 18, 2018, when demonstrators in several cities of Nicaragua began protests against the Social Security reforms decreed by President Daniel Ortega that increased taxes and decreased benefits.
Background of non-profit organization
The ministry started more than 20 years ago by providing funding, school supplies, construction and equipment to help. Christian schools educate Christian leaders for Nicaragua they started with child sponsorship in the belief that by sponsoring a child they could change a life forever.
This work is supported by individuals and churches all over America who sponsor school children. The schools are in very poor neighborhoods and they struggle to keep the doors open. The reality of life for these children is hard to comprehend inasmuch 35% of the children in Nicaragua do not attend school and 66% of those children do not complete sixth grade.
In 2013 Kelly assisted in building a church in Nicaragua and also built relationships with the citizens. “We have 25 schools that we support by packing food and care packages for them throughout the year,” said Kelly. “They live in extreme poverty and exist on approximately $2.15 per day. They desperately need shoes, food and school supplies.”
Kelly described their homes as having dirt floors and one bare lightbulb if they are lucky. Additionally, they still cook with sticks and wood and laundry is done by hand. Many do not have fresh water due to the salt content, causing kidney issues.
More about NiCE
The mission statement of NiCE includes “Feed Nicaragua is another one of the ministries of our foundation. It began when we observed the children in schools and churches we work with were suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Our food packages are a rice-soy casserole fortified with 21 essential vitamins and minerals, 60 hydrated vegetables, plus chicken flavoring. The meals are provided by churches and other organizations to sponsor the meal packings, provide volunteers to pack the meals and fund the l$.35 per meal cost. Currently we are supplying nearly 75,000 meals per month.”
Also cookware, flatware, sheets, towels are donated by numerous businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals in Highland. The projects go on year round. Kelly was quick to emphasize they endeavor to teach the Nicaraguans how to work together to survive rather than doing it for them. There is a huge warehouse in Highland where the donations are stored.
What does Kelly get for doing this humanitarian work? She paraphrased the scripture, “The satisfaction of knowing if you do this for the least of them, you’ve done it unto me.”