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.