Afternoon Delight

I recently took over responsibility for the Child Sponsorship blog and the planning of the CS field trips. Every 3 months, we plan a fun outing for the families involved in our nutrition program. In July we hosted an afternoon of recreation and relaxation at the August family’s community center El Salero.

Imagine my delight at seeing a school busload of children and their mothers arriving at the beautiful August property for a Sunday afternoon of grass-frolicking and gallo pinto. Now imagine their delight. These children know the dump as home. The smoke, the trash, the constant illness...this is their reality. But this day was special - even just being in a place that was clean, where you could pick the ripest mangoes straight off the green grass, run shoes off through an open field, play on the jungle gym or in the basketball court - this was worlds apart from these children’s day-to-day reality. Mothers relaxed in the shade of a ranchón as their children played in a safe place. We gave gifts of children’s books as a despedida from the old team. Since then, the new CS team has formed to continue the work towards eradicating childhood malnourishment in La Chureca. I encourage you to read about the new team at http://childsponsorshipprogram.blogspot.com/.

The following are some photos from the El Salero field trip.

These children are in great need of sponsors. For only $24 a month, they receive oatmeal, milk, and vitamins. They were recently tested for both anemia and parasites so that appropriate medicines can be given to counter these ailments. They receive weekly visits from the CS team (that’s me!!), and the guardian participates in a weekly health talk at our partnering clinic Casa Base de Salud. If you are interested in learning how to sponsor a child, please email childsponsorship@mannaproject.org.

In love with the children of Chureca,

Jan Margaret

Little Moments

My last post describes wanting to capture precious moments through photography. Let's see if was remotely successful:

The sunset from my roof.

The classroom of angels I teach English, acing their quiz on "city words."

At the end of the day, I realize it's not the photos that really mean so much, though. It's the experience of being in the moment, rather than the capturing of the moment, that is so valuable. For this reason, it's not every day that my co-teacher Leah brings her camera to class, or that I go to the roof for a sunset photo shoot. Most of the days are full of just the things I described before: work. laughter. play. study. research. spanish. patience. dirt. sweat. sun. rain. patience. love. frustration. ...did I say patience? I'm growing in respect for all teachers as I attempt to drive the bumpy road of education in español. And while these kids rocked out their English quiz, new lessons bring new challenges.

And as for the sunset, as for those beautiful, jaw-dropping, everyday moments of glory...those are the ones that make me sit back and send up prayers of thanks for what I am here on earth to enjoy. God's gift of nature is one that continues to thrill me, enchant me, and romance me, no matter where I go. Be it in Nashville, walking around the beautiful Vanderbilt campus in springtime, be it on a glistening lake in Middle Tennessee where I watch the fireflies shine their reflections on the surface as the day fades into night, or be it here in Nicaragua where I can let my mind reflect on the day gone by and the days to come as I stare into tiny peepholes in the night sky, my fellow PD Amelia leading us in rooftop ashtanga yoga...these moments of respite allow me to function. breathe. give. These times of rest prepare me for those which necessitate patience. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow...

A Thousand Words

There are times I wish I had a camera with me. When I see a gorgeous sunset from the Manna House rooftop. When I pick up my Children’s English class at kilometer 13.5 and drive their sweet singing bodies out to the library for an afternoon lesson, only to be stopped in the middle of the road by a 20-member herd of cattle (the kids still singing “Yo Te Extrañaré,” a new favorite of mine). When these same little rascals ace their quiz on city-words after I catch glimpses of them studying flash cards before class. When Marcos or Freddy or Lesther or Tatiana or Maycol or any of their precious faces reach up through the windows of our Patrol to give us a good bye beso, even if they call us mala (bad) for not giving them a much begged-for extra caramelo. After two more weeks of good attendance, these same little energetic bodies will be swaddled in neon life jackets at a special good-attendance pool party. Nervously eyeing the water, they will no doubt run about causing me no end of worries before they finally build up the courage to jump in, immersed in the coolness. They will say “es-swim” and I will say “sss-swim!” When I tell them, “No griten,” they know this means “Don’t shout.” Some may still say “es-shout” - as the s/consonant sound at the beginning of the words are always problematic. But what can I say, we’re working on it...

Yes, I would very much like to capture these moments in one beautiful photo. I wish I could describe the stunning simplicity of watching these children’s minds unfold to a world of opportunity. Education. Literacy. Mathematics. English. I may not have much to offer, but if I can serve as a bridge between these children and future opportunities, education is surely the best way to do so. We focus on education in the nearby communities of Cedro Galan and Chiquilistagua, catering to school children and adults interested in furthering their business/english knowledge. My time in Nicaragua has been all too brief, yet I already see the value in equipping people with literacy skills in Spanish and English. Spanish, because this provides once illiterate Nicaraguans access to their world, their politics, their news, their government, their people. English, because this gives one access to better jobs. A better future. A better life.

To Be A Kid Again

Some say that Disney World is the happiest place on Earth, and who can blame one for thinking so? Everybody comes together in one place to be with family and friends and just have fun. The magic of childhood comes alive with friends like Mickey and Minnie, and whole days are full of laughter, thrills, and wonder. I’ve had to the privilege of experiencing the enchantment of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studies not once, not twice, but three times. (I never said I wasn’t spoiled as a child...) I’ve seen all the movies, I’ve ridden all the rides, I’ve even hit up Disney Land as a toddler. So, as a self-proclaimed Disney World expert, I reckon I know a thing or two about happiness. And although some might say that Mickey’s home is the mecca of delight, after last Wednesday in Managua, I’ve found a place that’s given it a run for it’s money.

Wednesday afternoon, our home was transformed by the 30 foot “Brinca Brinca” - a wginormous blow-up bouncy slide that was covered in suds for a three hour celebration of our literacy and math programs. The children arrived around 1:30 with a change of clothes and a LOT of energy. As they climbed up one side of the Brinca Brinca (literally translated, the “Jump Jump”), and tumbled down the other, we were caught up in the madness as we patrolled the flow of children, hosing them off and tossing the little ones in the air for added velocity. Running from the pool to the Jump Jump, it was a day to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments over the past year. It was also a day for the old PDs to say farewell and for the new PDs to say... “Is this really my JOB?!”

Basically, our house was the happiest place on Earth yesterday. Let’s just hope the joy translates into the classroom on Monday, when we take over the literacy and math programs...

With love,

Jan Margaret

Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me

After a whirlwind kind of week, I am left changed, challenged, and confused as to how and what I should articulate in this post. Perhaps I could focus on the comedic and frustrating aspects of living in a house of 17, the emotional upheaval of divvying up programs for the next 13 months, or the joys of coming home to a group of new friends who can sympathize with the uncertainty we all face of the impending year. Moreover, at this point, I am already starting to wonder what people at home even want to hear. Life in Nicaragua is already seeming to get...normal. To the point where swerving around potholes, children, house-drawn buggies, and faded school buses as I drive the 15 passenger Micro Van (with manual transmission, might I add) is a fact of life. The geckos that live in my house at night, crawling across the ceiling and eating the night-insects...well, doesn’t every good home need those? The one thing that I am not quite used to are the two adorably evil rottweilers that guard our yard. Sidney and Cola have had it out for me ever since I spent the first three weeks of my time here challenging their dominion via staring match - who knew that massive guard dogs would feel the need to kill me if I stared at them? I thought we were connecting...but alas.

One thing, however, sticks out in my mind above all of these petty aspects of acclimating oneself into any new environment - the lack of opportunity for those so drenched in the murky depths of poverty. No matter the potholes and indoor pets, but the poverty breaks my heart in two. Making the transition from language school to program familiarization to Program Director, I have become aware of situations affecting different members of our communities. Child abuse and drug abuse affect not only those in the hell hole that is La Chureca, but those living five minutes down the road from me and my fairly comfortable neighbors. Cycles of poverty resulting in varying elements of abuse affect not statistics, but friends. Rapes occur 15 minutes away at 7:30 at night in a community that lacks the infrastructure to protect it’s people. In fact, I am almost overwhelmed by the lack of infrastructure in this country. Without safe streets or the ability to leave the home after a very early sunset, progress is inhibited. Without a legal system that can rally for the down and out, how can these young children break the cycle of abuse? And what is me being down here going to do to change the rotten status quo? How much can I truly empathize with the communities I work in when I know that at the end of the day, I have a bed, a shower, warm food - and heck, even wireless internet?

I may not be able to change the world; I may not be able to offer much more than a smile, or a shoulder, but I am here. Thank God I am so blessed to be here and am daily confronted with the reality of how the majority of the world lives. I cannot just turn away when I meet a new friend who spends her days in a trash heap and don’t even notice the flies that cover her body. I thought flies were for decaying carcasses, not people...and as much as I wanted to reach over and shoo all the flies away, I was paralyzed by a lack of knowing where and how to begin. If only flies weren't the least of the problem...

NICAyudame,

JM