This year marks almost 40 years of cultural exchange and friendship between Gettysburg and León, Nicaragua, through Project Gettysburg-León (PGL). Since it was founded in 1986, PGL has fostered cultural exchange and supported projects in León to educate children, offer access to healthy food and water through gardens and portable water systems, and sponsor cultural and artistic events and classes. Through internships, experiential learning trips, and events like the popular Salsa on the Square, Gettysburg residents have made new friends and learned more about Nicaragua, its culture, history, and people.
PGL currently works with an orphanage and pre-school in the city of León that provides education and a daily meal for 60 children from low-income families under aged ten. A social worker supported by PGL works with young people at risk of dropping out of school and visits more than 50 families twice a month to make sure the kids stay in school.
A food gardens program in two schools and support for helping residents in rural areas plant home gardens gives residents access to healthy food. The work in rural areas also offers solar ovens to people to reduce the need for cutting trees for firewood and improve lung health in homes that otherwise use wood-burning stoves and solar food dryers for preserving foods, teas, and spices.
Garden Party
PGL invites you to celebrate and support PGL’s work at the Project Gettysburg-León Garden Party on July 8 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Guests will be able to delight in the serenity and beauty of Karl Mattson’s garden while enjoying light refreshments. On land once owned by the abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens, Mattson’s garden is two acres of gorgeous green plants, blooming flowers, and trees all laid out along winding paths and filled with birdsong and the splash of the garden pond.
Tickets are limited so buy yours today.
Sponsorships are also available.
Online Auction
PGL is also hosting its popular annual auction. Bid to enjoy unique items and experiences, including dinners, get-aways, and artwork, all donated by PGL supporters. Online bidding opens on July 1 and concludes on July 8.
PGL History
Mattson was the founding spirit behind Project Gettysburg-León and has continued to play a role in the organization ever since. In 1986, Mattson, then chaplain for Gettysburg College, and his wife, Marge, participated in a Habitat International project in Nicaragua. Mattson returned to Nicaragua in 1987, accompanied by a group of Gettysburg College students, to build houses.
Those trips inspired a group of Adams County and León residents to form a sister city organization, Project Gettysburg-León, in 1987 to foster friendship and understanding between the two countries and to provide assistance to neighborhoods in and around León. In 1989, the Borough of Gettysburg officially recognized León, Nicaragua, as a sister city.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.