Cam Blair- There is really no way to sum up this trip in just a few words. When we first landed in Managua, my initial feeling was that of drastic change. There was no colossal air traffic control tower, just a small, basic building. The Tarmac was old and weeds were growing through the worn pavement. The whole thing just felt genuine.
Nicaragua isn't trying to be something that it isn't. The people are proud to be here and don't try to put a false face on the country's problems, but do the best they can to help improve their and their fellow Nicaraguan's way of life. The most clear proof of the population's willingness to help is in the village where we worked, Nueva Esperanza.
Nueva Esperanza, formerly known as San Ignacio, was built about 15-20 years ago when the president decided to give land to the homeless residents of Granada in the area surrounding the local volcano. The houses range from blankets strewn over branches with metal wire to cement brick houses with sheet metal roofs. There is an abundance of poverty but the kindness and overall caring of the residents made this first portion of the trip amazing.
At the worksite we were assisted by two local contractors and three children. Their ages ranged from 12-15 and they all attend school in the village. As if attending school full time wasn't enough, these children are making a permanent impact on their community by putting in the long hours to create an environment suitable for learning. As you can see by the pictures below, the kids were nothing but warmhearted and helpful. Even though the work was tough, we made a change in this community that will continue to give back to the children for generations. And we had fun in the process.
Today was the last day of work, and it was difficult. The classroom isn't completely finished and even though I know it will be done soon, I want to tough it out so I can see the final project in person. Tomorrow we will leave at 8 AM to travel to Bahia Gigante. We'll be staying at the beach house for the last 4 days of the trip and it feels bittersweet. I am excited to see more of the natural beauty of Nicaragua but at the same time sad because I feel that we will be missing out on the culture of the country because of our distance from the locals. We will be staying in a gated community as opposed to in the heart of Granada. I know that this leg of the trip will be great, but it'll be tough to top the total cultural immersion of Granada.
Girl throwing a disc on the road next to the school.
Mixing cement.
Put up this wall!
Wall, wall, wall.
Getting ready to leave the school for the last time (this trip).
More market.
Sun setting.
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