Gustavo Parajón

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
BornNov. 22, 1935
Nicaragua
DiedMarch 13, 2011
Managua, Nicaragua
Occupation(s)Doctor, Pastor
Known forPeacemaking, 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

  1. Sally Ann Flecker (December 2011). "Minister of Peace". Denison.edu. Denison Magazine. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  2. Julia Preston (25 December 1988). "Nicaragua". Washington Post. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  3. Stephen Kinzer (28 August 1983). "Nicaragua: The Beleaguered Revolution". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  4. "Gustavo Parajón has Died". ABC-Ohio.org. American Baptist Churches of Ohio. 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. C. E. Bryant (1 August 1966). ""Christian" Inoculations Win Nicaraguan Friends" (PDF). Baptist Press. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. "About CEPAD". Cepadnica.org. CEPAD. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  7. "Contras vs. Sandinistas: What Should the U.S. Do?". ChristianityToday.com. Christianity Today. April 18, 1986. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  8. "Obituary: Dr Gustavo Parajón". Churchtimes.com.uk. Church Times. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  9. "Gustavo Parajón (1935-2011): Nicaraguan Doctor, Aid Worker & Mediator". Readthespirit.com. Read the Spirit. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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