RE-STARTING CHILDREN'S LITERACY CLASS

As we have been working for the past few months here in community we have been noticing in our english classes that some of the children that we work with have been having trouble reading and writing. Sometimes when a child is having particular trouble in an english class we will resort to explaining a word or concept in Spanish, only to have it still be misunderstood. This has been something that has been bothering us for a while now. So, after much brainstorming we decided to re-start the children's literacy class. In December 2009 the literacy class was converted into a homework help class, a program that has since been cancelled due to a low attendance rate.

Creating this class has been an especially daunting task because none of us have any previous knowledge or experience with teaching literacy. However, we recognize literacy's importance and we are trying to address it none the less. We started by having a couple of meetings, creating goals, researching literacy, and developing a plan of action. Last week we made flyers advertising the class, which we handed out as we walked around Cedro Galán. As we were advertising last week Alba Flores, a young adult in the community even volunteered to help with class too.

On Monday we were thrilled when 13 kids came to the first class and we're hoping to be able to sustain that number.

children's books, just waiting to be read

Maria hard at work learning the alphabet

CORN ISLANDS

Last week we had 5 days off work to celebrate both Nicaragua and all of Central America's Independence Days. So, we all decided to go on a family vacation to the Corn Islands!

The Corn islands can be found off the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and are a 1 and 1/2 hours flight away from Managua.

Great Corn and Little Corn are the two islands that make up this bonita island pair.

Great Corn has even been short listed as the most authentic Caribbean island around. But, Little Corn has no cars and many of the residents their never have to wear shoes (not even sandals).

The locals from Corn Islands speak a surreal mix of english, spanish and creole slang, sometimes all at the same time. I often found myself entranced hearing the locals speak, constantly asking myself, "i'm still in Nicaragua, right?"

We enjoyed snorkelling in crystal clear water, eating a plethora of seafood, exploring white sand beaches, relaxing, and of course eating lots of Eskimo ice-cream.

Our little trip has proven to be a great recharger and we're more enthusiastic than ever to be back working in Managua!

yield, crabs crossing!

Will, Ira, and Zac about to go spear fishing

sharks are one of many of the diverse species of marine creatures

that can be found around the Corn Islands

busy dock on Great Corn

the view from the lodge we stayed at on Little Corn

DONATING BLOOD in NICARAGUA

Last week on the way home from La Chureca we stopped off at the Red Cross

where some of us were able to donate our blood. Among the donators was Karen Bustos, a community member that we work with in Chiquilistagua.

If you donate blood in the name of a person here, it bumps them up to the top of the waiting list and guarantees that they will receive the blood they need.

We donated for Sara Zeledon, a little girl who lives in La Chureca who suffers from anemia and leukemia. Sara is also a part of our Child Sponsorship program.

Today Sara's mother was excited to report that her daughter's platelet count is improving!

Red Cross Nicaragua

arriving at the blood bank

Sara Zeledon, age 7