ON SATURDAY, a young Reading resident set off on a journey to Central America to visit one of our twin towns, San Francisco Libre, Nicaragua.
Eleven-year-old Francisco Maddicks and his dad, Russell, are visiting to bring educational supplies and to meet residents of the town, and are sharing their travel tales online.
It is Francisco’s first trip to Nicaragua, though he says his dad had been a number of times.
Russell explained that after Francisco was born, he noticed San Francisco Libre Walk in central Reading, and got in contact with the Reading San Francisco Libre Association (RSFLA), which continues to support the twinning of the two towns.
Russell said: “They hadn’t sent anyone out to visit Nicaragua for a few years at that point, so I went to visit in 2014.
“Having had a son named Francisco, for me it was too much of a coincidence, so I had to go.”
He explained: “It’s a very rural village; a very interesting and exciting place full of friendly people, and I thought it would be great for him to see it for himself, and to meet different people and see how they live.”
In preparation for the trip, Francisco has been learning Spanish, including phrases from a local dialect of Spanish spoken by Nicaraguans called Nica.
Francisco said: “My mum, who is from Venezuela, speaks Spanish at home, so it’s been nice getting to understand it and trying to speak it with her.
“In Nica, they have different words, and it’s so interesting to learn, and it gives me a stronger bond with my mum and my dad.”
Before they departed, he said: “I always love going on an adventure with my dad– I’ve been to Mexico and Ecuador, where we visited lakes, beaches, and jungles.
“But we also learned so much about their cultures– I’ve always liked a bit of history and cultures which date back to ancient times.”
As for what he was most looking forward to seeing: “Definitely meeting other children, seeing the volcanoes and mountains, and maybe even some of the islands.
“I’ll definitely be trying a lot of the food, too: I really want to try Gallo Pinto, which is rice and beans.
“It’s always nice to give something back and to discover new places, so that’ why we’re heading over.
“We’re going to try and help out while we’re there, bringing school supplies like posters to help with their English learning.”
When the pair return to Reading, they will meet with the mayor, Cllr Tony Page.
Russell said: “I think it’s so important that the people of Reading learn a little more about San Francisco Libre.
“We have the RSFLA supporting Apreden, which is an NGO helping children in Nicaraguan schools, where a child can be sponsored for around £150 a year.
“While we’re there, we want to meet some of the children who were sponsored, and see how they have progressed into their university studies and profession careers.”
Russell is a travel writer and journalist who has written about Latin America for more than two decades.
“I think it’s amazing Reading has that international connection with a place so far away– it could be a real source of learning about other cultures for Reading.
“As well as the fact that it can be a tool to help others, even as far away from us as Remote as San Francisco Libre.
“The people I’ve met there are also very proud of their connection to us.”
Francisco said before they left: “My dad has been telling me all about it, so I’m keen to raise awareness here in Reading and helping the people there out.”
Francisco and Russell are sharing their travel exploits on social media via @LatAmTravelist on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as through the Reading San Francisco Libre Association’s Facebook page.
