Gustavo Parajón was a Nicaraguan doctor and pastor, most known for his peacemaking efforts during the Contra War and his contributions to rural health care, vaccination campaigns, and disaster relief in Nicaragua.[1][2][3]
Gustavo Parajón | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nov. 22, 1935 Nicaragua |
| Died | March 13, 2011 Managua, Nicaragua |
| Occupation(s) | Doctor, Pastor |
| Known for | Peacemaking, Healthcare in Nicaragua |
Parajón attended Denison University, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health and earned a master's degree in Public Health before returning to Nicaragua.[4]
He founded the Nicaragua Vaccination and Community Development Program (PROVADENIC) in 1967[1] in order to facilitate vaccination in rural areas of Nicaragua, beginning with smallpox, tuberculosis, leprosy, and polio vaccines administered via a jet injector.[5] PROVADENIC also trained locals in basic health practices to maintain prevention efforts.[1]
Parajón also helped found the Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua (CEPAD) on December 23, 1972, in response to a massive earthquake that devastated Managua, Nicaragua.[6] CEPAD facilitated disaster relief within four days, quickly became the largest relief organization in the country, and later expanded to other development programs.[1]
Parajón played several key roles in bringing about the end of the Contra War. He visited Washington D.C. to raise awareness of what was happening in Nicaragua.[7] He hosted the American volunteers who came to Nicaragua as part of the Witness for Peace campaign[8] and traveled with them and other peace commissions. He traveled unarmed, without bodyguards.[1] In 1987, Parajón worked with an organization comprising Nicaraguan Moravian Church leaders and U.S. Mennonites headed by John Paul Lederach to mediate conflict between the Sandinista Nicaraguan government and the Contras.[9] Afterward, Parajón served as a citizen representative of Nicaragua during the discussions that led to the Esquipulas Peace Agreement.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Sally Ann Flecker (December 2011). "Minister of Peace". Denison.edu. Denison Magazine. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Julia Preston (25 December 1988). "Nicaragua". Washington Post. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Stephen Kinzer (28 August 1983). "Nicaragua: The Beleaguered Revolution". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "Gustavo Parajón has Died". ABC-Ohio.org. American Baptist Churches of Ohio. 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ C. E. Bryant (1 August 1966). ""Christian" Inoculations Win Nicaraguan Friends" (PDF). Baptist Press. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "About CEPAD". Cepadnica.org. CEPAD. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "Contras vs. Sandinistas: What Should the U.S. Do?". ChristianityToday.com. Christianity Today. April 18, 1986. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "Obituary: Dr Gustavo Parajón". Churchtimes.com.uk. Church Times. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "Gustavo Parajón (1935-2011): Nicaraguan Doctor, Aid Worker & Mediator". Readthespirit.com. Read the Spirit. Retrieved 13 October 2022.