Our Final Day

Today begins our final day at this school full of amazing kids and adults. It marks our last day of sweat streaming from our brows in the Nicaraguan heat and humidity and the day that we may never see these wonderful people again. 

It started in the usual way - with the crowings of the roosters, our sore muscles creaking as we arose from our slumber and the not so surprising breakfast of rice and beans. Freddie then carriaged us to our last day at this magnificent school.

At the outset, we carried in all the clothes, school supplies and food donations. Once we hauled the treasure inside, the moment we have all been waiting for arrived - un partido de fútbol. 

The girls that we played against had been specifically picked. This meant that we had the honor of playing the best of the best. With this knowledge, we decided to show off our mad soccer skills by kicking a ball in a circle. When the very young ref blew his whistle, the first five of us strutted to our place on our soccer stage. We kicked off the ball and immediately fell into the beautiful game of soccer. Having no mercy, these girls pushed past our defenses and gave us no mercy. As we sprinted up and down the field, we found that we had more talent than we had supposed and these girls were professionals compared to us. Although we held them off for a long while, they scored two goals in a row. 

After this momentary fall, the groups rotated. Within a rather short amount of time, the opposing force scored yet another two goals. Seeing this, the great Mr Keiper put down his trusty camera and picked up his reliable soccer hands. He became the goalie for the rest of the game and let no stray ball pass his grasp as he fought to keep us alive in the game.

As we changed up the teams, the other team decided to play with three girls instead of five. Although it seemed like help, it was most likely that they needed a rest from our outrageous talent. Erin then successfully scored two goals as we finally realized it was four versus two on the field. As we gained momentum, Caroline scored yet another goal. This meant that we were successfully back in the game. 

After our last rotation, the young ref blew his whistle and the game ended with an honorable score of 3-4 with the professional Nicaraguans for the win. 

After this exciting game of soccer, we retrieved the care packages for the families and distributed them. Each of us filed one by one to the women lined up in front of the stage and gave them their boxes. As we handed them the rice, beans and other materials, their faces broke into thankful, glittering smiles. We could tell by their faces how much it meant to them to receive this bit of help. It was very touching to see the warmth and happiness that permeated from these individuals that they now had the extra help to feed and keep their families healthy. 

After this exchange, we  distributed the donated clothing amongst the kids. Very excitedly, the children hopped and skipped in the line. They very impatiently pushed and shoved one another as they waited to receive their new clothing. As soon as their teacher or Mrs Huffman gave them their clothing, they compared their new gift with those of their friends. Once outside, they proudly showed off their new clothing to the other "gringos."

After more hand games and fotos, we said farewell to our dear friends one last time. We will be forever grateful for their unconditional love and acceptance - we have learned so much from them. 

After lunch, we went back to an empty school. Due to a teacher work day, no laughter or high voices filled the school as we worked. Those cementing continued to lay the foundation for the toilets, and others built the wall for the bathroom one brick at a time. Those of us that could not toil in the very small crevice, swept up all the classrooms and outside the school to give the kids a nice clean welcome on Monday. Quickly, we finished these jobs and sadly left the school behind. 

Our hearts will remain in this school long after we go, and we will always remember how much these people touched us. 

We will forever remember that the poor do not seem poor when you put a human face to poverty. Although they may not have food, electricity or a smart phone, they take life by the reins and make it their own. They do not let their circumstances define them. They joyously and graciously live their lives to provide for who they love. They do not dwell on what they are without, but rather give full thanks for everything they have been blessed to keep. We have all been ruined by these people and intend to give ourselves up to help them. They fully deserve it. 

The Third Day

The soldiers arose from their deep slumbers from a state of deep exhaustion and knowledge that they would be helping the children of Nicaragua once more. We filed down to breakfast in a state of hunger - to live in solidarity with our new friends and have some scrumditilyumptious rice and beans for breakfast. After the meal, Sir Freddie corralled us back to the school.

Instead of separating into our usual groups, the students and teachers prepared a performance for us. The talented students graced us with their surprisingly low, quick and vibrating dance moves. The tiny monkeys then stampeded and climbed all over us, as if we were trees, as Paolo gave us candy to give to the children.  Petite and rather strong hands thrust themselves up to our bodies, eagerly grabbing for the sweet snacks. Eventually, many of us flung the morsels into the air so that we could transform back into our human forms.

After many performances and kids continually using our bodies as jungle gyms, it was our turn to perform. All of us came together as one the night before to create a purely original dance to Hey Y'all sung acapella by Bridget and Sam and mostly mumbled by the rest of us. We danced with a mixture of shimmying, flipping, kick lining and other odd moves to be met by blank stares from our audience. The blank stares were a clear indication of the "extraordinary" nature of our dancing ability.

We were then warmly invited on the stage by the director and some of the children. They thanked us for our time and told us at length of their gratitude for helping them to better the school. The children enthroned us with medals from International Samaritan, accompanied by tight hugs.

Because we would not see the young children in the morrow, we all told our new little boyfriends, families and friends good-bye. It was hard for all of us since they so willingly latched (literally) on to us and stole our hearts. Without any thought, these children fully gave themselves up to us, welcomed us wholeheartedly and loved us for just being there to play with and be with them. 

These kids have taught us to be grateful for what we have and be completely thankful for the people in our lives. People come and go in our lives - all of them leave us a lesson. We must take the people in our lives - give ourselves up for those that will help us grow - and hold them as tightly as possible for as little and long as we can. Just by our presence there, they loved and cherished us. 

As we played with the children, Mr Keiper and Mrs Huffman slyly slunk away to buy uniforms and clothes for an especially deserving family. The family accompanied them to the market, and very humbly asked for new flip flops, shirts, etc.  As the girl's beaming face looked up at them, she hugged them firmly and thankfully. Because they offered to give her anything she needed and wanted (within reason), Maria (in her wee voice) asked for a cell phone. Unfortunately, a cell phone could not be given to her. Later in the day, she just could not help but show off those new flip flops with the colorful flowers to the rest of us.

Lunch came as a welcome break amidst the soaking sweat and exhaustion. After another perfect meal of rice, we split into our respective groups to continue with the work.

The teachers joined the cement workers and continued to mix and pour, mix and pour. The trenchers picked up their paxes and shovels and successfully finished the ducts that would transport the clean water in and the dirty water out. We were all making progress when the director once again called us to the center of the courtyard to dance.

All of us girls boogied to the latino music as all of the afternoon classes looked on smiling and cheering us (and our lack of dance moves) on. Some rather excited boys with the principal and director joined us in the middle to dance and gave us our very own taste of Latino dancing. We were glad to learn, but we will not be able to bring them back to the states, seeing as they were in clear violation of the NDA dance contract.

Once done, we packed up for the day and headed for the hiper mercado. En la hiper mercado, we gathered supplies of rice, beans, soap, pasta and an assortment of other basic necessities to give to fourteen families that really need our help. On Friday, we will give them their gifts.

We cannot help but be touched by the people of this country. They are so kind and so willing to trust us. Even though we felt our contribution was very small and insignificant at points, the people make us feel as if we have accomplished so much more. Just by our very nature of us being here and wanting to help them, they are so thankful. 

It will be hard for us to leave this country and all the people that have stolen hearts. 

The Second Day, Part 2

Wednesday morning began like the others - the musical stylings of the birds, rooster and neighboring alarms. We all files down to our delectable meal of rice and beans in the morn (and later lunch and dinner). Our gallant driver Freddie shuttled us to our beloved school.  

We resumed on this day with the same jobs as we had on Tuesday - the Jedis taught their Padawans, the rebels laid and fought for a new foundation for the toilets and the Ewoks dug in their trenches as they constructed fortification for the pipes that would liberate the kindergarten classroom from the waste

The wise Jedis included Sam, Sherice, Bridget, Meredith, Molly and Tanya. Once again the Padawans eagerly soaked up the knowledge of the English universe. The little ones would slyly write the answers on their hands and hustle up to the board to impress their Jedi masters. They would then run to the rest of the light forces to impress them with their newly learned "how are you," "good," and "beautiful." 

It is amazing how eagerly these kids eat up and use this knowledge. They have so much joy in learning and bettering themselves - something from which we all can learn. 

The rebel forces included Tyren, Mallory, Mr Keiper and Andres. With repetition and sound resolve, they kept the dark forces of fatigue and heat at bay by continuing to mix the concrete and pour the foundation of the toilet. They shoveled and fought the mixture to turn it into a liquid - over and over again. They would ensure that the toilets would survive long after their triumphant week helping this school. 

Caroline, Maureen, Mrs Huffman, Courtney, Maggie and Erin formed the ranks of the ewoks. These earthen creatures hacked and heaved at their barren target, burrowing ever deeper into the Nicaraguan soil. The rocks began to crack and the roots split into two - ensuring the protection of the pipes. The motley crew dug up giant boulders and came dangerously close to finishing their project early. 

This group of volunteers came together for a rewarding lunch of rice and beans and even had the time for a very short nap. 

Intent on winning the war against the sewage that plagued the kindergarten world, the resistance once again tried to take up arms in the afternoon heat. Arms in hand, a great monsoon hit the fighters' target.

The rain fell in great waves, flooding the toilets, the trench and the courtyard of the young Padawans. The ewoks and rebels screamed like banshees and wet galumphing through the welcome break from the sith-like heat they has been battling all week. They all waited for the storm to pass and once it fled, all of the ranks took up the wisdom of the Jedis and helped teach for a very short time. 

And so, the day ended with trying once more to fight the darkness of poverty and heat to bring the children what they deserve - a working, clean school and the knowledge that people want them to succeed. May the force be with 

them.

Second Work Day

Due to the lack of wifi last night, we were unable to communicate with the outside world. We will be posting for both the second and third day later tonight! We are all fine and having a grand time! 

El Primer Día

And so commenced the first day of work. Once again, we all awoke to the melodious crowing of our very friendly rooster. Groggily, we prepared for the day with another delicious round of arroz y frijoles. Piling into the van, Freddie whisked us away to the site. 

Upon arriving, a little boy awaited rather impatiently as we filed through the stone gate into the front courtyard of the school. His dark eyes jumped from one person to the next as he waited for the girl he struck a bond with yesterday. Coming last, his tan face broke into a wide, white smile as Sherice walked into the school. He immediately gave her a tight hug and grasped her hand in his own. We were officially starting our work at the school. 

After this precious exchange, we split into three groups to conquer the demands of the day. Sam, Bridget, Molly, Meredith and Sherice taught and played with the adorably cute children. Mallory, Tysen and Mr Keiper tediously mixed cement as Maureen, Caroline, Erin, Maggie, Courtney and Mrs Huffman valiantly dug a trench.  

The girls that had the chance to teach split up between three classrooms to bestow upon the children a basic understanding of English. The children eagerly soaked up the knowledge like sponges and absorbed the basic phrases of "hello," "how are you?," "my name is," etc, etc. 

In order to help the kids better understand and learn the language, they were able to scurry up to the board and translate the Spanish word to English. These wee little tykes would mercilessly push past and climb on one another in order to show off their newly acquired knowledge to their teachers. It was very humbling and rewarding to see how willingly and enthusiastically the kids soaked up this new knowledge - and as they immediately showed it off to their friends.  The girls found it amazing how similar the kids were to those in the United States by responding more willingly to games and activities rather just the interminable hum of the teacher. Something simple, but it shows how truly similar and connected the human race can be to other people all over the world.

The cement crew bravely shoveled gravel into the barrels, transferred it to the other side of the school with the cement and then mixed the two scrumptious ingredients together. As mixing ensued, the team began the happy task of moving the pile an infinite amount of times over itself in order to bake a cement delight. They then began carrying the now wet mixture in buckets and allowed for the unknown man in the blue shirt to pour the cement as foundation for the toilets. This task had the happy act of seeing the progress being made to give the kindergartners a proper bathroom. 

The dirt, gravel and cement powder sat placidly in a pile when not being moved. Observing this notion, Mr Keiper had the great act of throwing powdered cement on the pile. This harmless act created a grand explosion, resulting in engulfing everyone in a temporary dust cloud. Mallory successfully resembled a gargoyle as the gray powder enveloped her entire body. A little boy, meanwhile, took up arms and worked to give just a little bit of assistance that he could offer amidst the destruction. 

In the morning heat, dirt and mud flew around the soldiers who honorably shoveled and pick axed (paxed) the trench. As the day progressed, their light tan khakis morphed into brown sandbags that hugged their sweaty legs. Their arms and legs strengthened with each swing of the axe, especially with the help of the very frequent water and children breaks. 

After a good hour and a half of hard work and sweat dripping from their brows, the little children swarmed their nest. Tiny hands "toman fotos" of all the girls and their high pitched voices tried persistently to hold them in deep, intellectual conversations (at least that is how much effort it took for the girls to try to understand the kids).

After a very successful morning, we drove to the local church for a very "surprising" lunch of rice with meat. The priest welcomed us to his community and thanked us for volunteering and helping them. He was very grateful that we were helping him and his congregation. 

Following lunch, we once again split into our different companies and took up the tools to continue helping the school. The groups that taught in the morning were able to organize and play games with the kids, the cement mixers fiddled with wire, and the trencher went back to diggin' up in the hot, oppressive rays of the sun. 

The teaching battalion began playing organized games with the kids to get their hearts pumping and the blood flowing. They attempted sharks and minnows and a complicated hand game of zooma zooma in which the limited attention spans of the kids did not quite catch on to either game. Victory came jn the form of duck, duck, goose as the kids merrily cackled in delight as they ran around one another and could "lightly tap" each other on their heads. To add to the excitement, Bridget gracefully fell to the ground and the sweet kids immediately asked after her health and made sure she was okay before returning to their very exciting game.

After Bridget's fall, a girl started pouring water over Bridget's hands and instructing her how to wash them thoroughly and completely. Instead of returning to an intense game of duck, duck, goose, the little girl ensnared Bridget into a "chocolate" hand game and an hour and a half of straight picture taking and fighting over the camera. By the end of this exchange, this little girl ensnared Bridget into a great bear hug and would not let her go even though we would return on the morrow. Many of us had similar experiences in which we found kids that latched on to us and would become our dear little friends and "novios" (boyfriends) for the duration of the week. 

The cement group changed from cement transport to the happy art of wire manipulation. Tying and twisting together rebar became a rhythmic dance for the three workers. It is amazing how many ways that one can safely play with rusty wire without getting stabbed and contaminated. For those that may not know, rebar consists of several long rods that are tied together with wire to create the backbone of the windows, door and floor of the toilets. Although a nice rhythmic, relaxing action, poor Mr Keiper could not figure out how to do the simple art of twisting and tying. As he eventually perfected this art, the prospects of a toilet materialized even more as more rebar was constructed.

Paxing and shoveling, the trenchers found most of their afternoon to be interrupted by very promiscuous teenage Nicaraguans. A very nice boy named Berta gallantly took the up the tools of Maureen and hacked away at the dirt. He used all of his strength and whacked with all his might to significantly increase the depth of the tunnel. A little later, as Erin fruitlessly fought with a root, Berta took two hard throws of the axe and defeated the burly root. As we asked for his foto, he bashfully sauntered away.  The nice boy needed no thanks and did it only to help make the work easier - a chivalrous act that all men should learn to do. 

After hacking away at the dirt a little longer, a group of four flirtatious young men beckoned the girls to talk to them. Because they were all rather dashingly handsome with their tight jeans, flashy belts and button down shirts, the girls could not resist to exchange a few words with them. The charming young lads began asking the girls for their full names so that all could become Facebook friends. After taking a foto, the boys began asking the girls questions and giving them a lecture on boyfriends, cheating, etc. It was very stimulating as they interjected the conversation by impressing the girls with their English by using such words as beautiful for all of their eyes, hair and general physical appearance. It was very nice for these boys to be so curious and welcoming to us and earning detention in the process of talking to us.    

After a long day of work, our very sweet driver Freddie then took us for ice cream after a hard day's work. 

From today, we are overwhelmed and filled with surprise at the deep happiness and joy all these kids possess. They live in horrible circumstances - no proper plumbing, tin houses, little food - yet they romp around and play like they have no

cares and are just happy to be living and breathing. From a culture that has too much and complains about not having enough, great lessons can be taken from their selfless behavior. We should be grateful for what we have and take life by the reins and live it to the fullest! 

Arrival and Introductions

We have officially arrived in the glorious country of Nicaragua. After a rather long day of travel, we are slowly settling into this non climate controlled country. It was quite a shock when we exited the air conditioned airport and entered into the very large sauna. Excitedly, the perspiration began as many of us entered into our first foreign experience. The excitement literally streamed from our bodies as we began witnessing the differences between the United States and the third world. 

Promptly, we met our leader, Andres, our driver, Freddie, and Paolo, the leader of the project we will be working. We also have Tanya, a native Nicaraguan, that is helping Paolo and our troupe.  We are surrounded by a variety of characters that will help us make the most of our experience and keep us safe and sound. Especially Freddie, who enjoys chatting with the locals and borrowing parakeets for us to hold and enjoy. 

The retreat center is beautiful, with its jungle-esque atmosphere and wonderful assortment of creatures. Exotic birds sing joyously at the top of their lungs all hours of the day. The bugs enjoy invading our rooms, and the single rooster acts as five different alarms during the course of the night. It creates melody that all of us just cannot help but keep awake and absorb. Although, many of us enjoy harmonizing with all of these sounds by screaming in horror and running away like banshees at the existence of the bugs that only seek to welcome us with open arms - or pinchers, stingers, etc. 

Our first official day in Nicaragua began with the delicious meal of rice and beans. Freddie then escorted us to our place of focus for the week. We will be working at the Centro Educativo José Artigas. It is a school located in the city of Sandino - begun after Managua was destroyed by the 1976 earthquake.  The school teaches 2,000 children - children that go to school for the half the day and wade in the garbage for the rest of it. It is our duty , this week, to make a small contribution to help them arise from having to work in the oppressive conditions of the dump.

The goals of this week include building a toilet for the kindergarten, cleaning the school, playing with the kids, and teaching. Right now, the kindergarteners have nowhere to go the bathroom and their waste covers the ground of the school. This becomes a problem when it rains and the entire school floods - endangering the health of all the students. It is up to us and three other groups to build this restroom and connect it to the central plumbing. It will involve much of our strength to hit the dirt with a pick axe and shovel the waste away. It is a challenge that we are excited to conquer. 

Along with discovering what the week will bring, we also had the chance to peer into the lives of two families and the conditions in which they live. 

Our first observation came with a woman that lives in a family of ten. Of the ten, only two receive a steady income for the family. Many of the family members are only small children, living in a rather tiny house with a tin roof, hastily thrown together walls, and only two beds. Two of the family members have to go to other houses to sleep. They shower with a bucket in a small cubicle in the backyard and have to go to the bathroom in a hole in the ground. Where the family lives, one house abuts another - each complete with empty dirt yards and barbed wire. It is amazing how kind and welcoming these people can be despite these poor accommodations - something that will keep amazing us as the week progresses.  

From a little far off, a little boy squeaked some words in Spanish, of which I could only make out the word "agua." Blankly staring at him in reply, he grinned happily and sauntered to the back of his house. As the rest of the group followed his lead after a little bit, I noticed that he was at the sink, filling up cups of water for all of us. Although a small gesture and one we could not accept, we could not help but be touched by this small gesture. 

This little boy is part of the second family of four we visited - consisting of a mother, her husband and their two young children. They live in a quaint two room tin house, complete with two beds, a couch, wardrobe and small TV with the kitchen, shower and bathroom outside. The husband generates a revenue of barely $20 a week at a factory, and his wife stays at home with her children instead of working. She used to work, but the people that looked after her children would mistreat them. Because they love their children so much, she and her husband sacrifice a second source of income in order to give their children a better life - a very honorable and heroic deed. 

Along with this experience, we drove through the garbage dump of Sandino. Miles upon miles of garbage stretched before our eyes as black birds sifted though the garbage alongside the people, the skinny horses and roaming dogs. The people rummage through the rubbish - looking for scraps to sell to live from day to day. Yet, they smiled and waved at us as we observed their daily routine. Although we find it disgusting and disturbing, they accept their fate, make the best of it, and live their lives the best that they can. 

Despite these conditions that these people live in, we can already see their love and acceptance shine through on our first day here.  The kids immediately gave us hugs and high pitched "holas" when we entered the school. As we drove around the two cities, our merry waving caused the people to burst into radiant smiles. The change in their demeanor shows that we can make a difference in their lives. We have accepted that challenge and will put all of our efforts into the week ahead. It is time to go forth and set the world on fire...

Some early pictures

There will likely be a longer post to follow, but I thought I'd add a few quick pictures.

Today, we spent much of the day planning and acclimating to the new environment.  We took some time to go to a new school, which is slightly farther away than last year, and we learned a great deal about what these people suffer daily.  After seeing the garbage dumps for the third time today, I'm still overwhelmed when I visit them.  The incredible stench, the poignant images of families looking for food scraps, and the emaciated dogs and horses walking over the broken glass will always create a lasting sensation in my mind.

As well as a new school, we are seeing new faces and new team members.  Carlos Andrés is the International Samaritan leader.  He is from Antigua, Guatemala.  Though he's never been to an English speaking country, he speaks excellent English.

The weather is still hot, though, and the jungle is still beautiful.

Looking forward to a great week,

Nate