Earlier this year, protests in Nicaragua began against the social security reforms decreed by their president. The reforms increased taxes and decreased benefits, which led to demonstrations in several cities protesting against the changes. The reforms and protesting led to unrest and violence in the country making it one of the largest protests in Nicaraguan history as well as the deadliest since the Nicaraguan Revolution. As the violence and oppression continue, a group of Nicaraguan boys here on tour are unable to return to their country due to imminent danger.
Jed Brien, born in Sydney, Australia and the son of missionaries, first came to the Brockport area when he was attending The College at Brockport in 2001 while studying abroad. While living in Brockport, he attended Christ Community Church where he formed relationships and connections in the church community. Jed had a heart for helping those affected by social injustice. In 2008 he moved to Mexico where he began teaching. This led him to Managua, Nicaragua where he began teaching at a Nicaraguan school. Soon after, he started his own preschool that grew to 40 students.
One day while Jed was at a market, he saw through a crowd a glimpse of a boy’s feet flying through the air. A Nicaraguan boy was performing “tricking.” Tricking is a style of training that combines kicks, flips and twists from gymnastics, martial arts and dance moves similar to break dancing. The boy was taken by the security and being removed when Jed interceded on the boy’s behalf. With permission from the boy’s family, Jed and his family helped him and his friend by providing them housing, education and some work. Nicaraguan youth, often growing up without a father present, drop out of school and turn to the streets where their lives are in danger. Many Nicaraguan street kids live in poverty, forced into prostitution, sold into sex trafficking, and fighting for survival in the deadly world of drugs and gangs. Word about Jed and his family helping these boys spread quickly and within one month the Brien family was providing housing and support for 12 homeless Nicaraguan boys. This was the beginning of Nicavengelists.
After witnessing the suffering of Nicaraguan youth, Jed began a nonprofit Capital on the Edge, which is an organization that takes in at risk youth off the streets of Managua into a talent development program, “The Nicavengelists.” He started the organization out of a compound where he had the children and teens stay in one house and the adults in another. Over the past several years they have served over 50 youth from age 8 to 26. The nonprofit provides a home, education, training, paid work with 50 percent of their income set aside into savings for when they leave the program and, most importantly, it provides the boys with hope for a better future.
Many of the youth perform in a dance troupe known as the Nicavengelists. They travel throughout the U.S. and other countries using the stage as a platform to educate others about their country’s social injustice by performing a street theatre production. “An important mission of the Nicavengelists is to shine the light on the struggles Nicaraguan youth face as their country is descending into economic collapse,” said Brien.
Returning to Nicaragua has become increasingly more dangerous. When Jed and the boys were back at the compound before their last tour, a gunman fired on the compound in the middle of the night. Brien’s security returned fire while Brien was able to get the kids to safety. Despite the risks, Brien continues sharing with the world the experiences of the Nicaraguan youth. “We chose to be advocates for Nicaraguans because our position here in the U.S. allows us to share freely about what is happening in Nicaragua without fear of being murdered.”
While touring through New York, the Nicavengelists performed and spoke at local churches. Their plans to return to Nicaragua before Christmas were cancelled due to the danger that awaits them back in Nicaragua. “The kids and I are likely at risk as being targets on the paramilitary hit lists,” said Brien. While seeking asylum, Jed and the boys are staying in the community and continuing to work on their education and training with the support of Christ Community Church. Jed remained close with his contacts in the Brockport area and Christ Community Church from his college time here. The church community opened their hearts, church and homes to Jed and the boys as they help provide for them during this uncertain time. “We are very grateful for the generosity from Christ Community Church, Pastor Bruce and Pastor Mark for all the support they are providing. We also appreciate the help from Lakeshore Community Church in Greece, especially Pastor Vince, Frank and Brian.”
To learn more about Nicavengelists or to help support the mission, visit: nicavangelists.com or Nicavangelists.com/partnerships
Nicaraguan street kids turning break dancing into purpose.
The Nicavengelists gave an impromtu surprise performance at Brockport’s Holiday Light Spectacular and Parade on December 2.
Jed Brien and the Nicavengelists Troupe at Christ Community Church in Brockport.
Provided photos
