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

This past weekend our Country Director, Amira Tahir, ran her first half marathon ever!

Amira raised just over $1500 for Manna Project International and has definitely inspired some of us PD's to start training for a half marathon ourselves. Not only did Amira meet her own personal goal of never walking during the whole 21km (13.1 miles), but she also completed in under 3 hours!

CONGRATULATIONS AMIRA!

and

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED!

the other night

at the Manna House

we had a

PAPER MACHE PARTY!!!

here are some pics

meet the new Program Directors

and

our lovely Country Director!

Amira Tahir: Country Director

likes: babies, lip gloss, jogging, spanglish, and hazelnut chocolate

dislikes: rude drivers, drying dishes (washing is ok though), and nancites

Steph Barnett: Program Director

likes: sunrises, chikys,

little kids (especially when they speak spanish),

big-colorful-plastic-sunglasses, hiking, and safari animals

dislikes: cold weather and huge spiders (the small ones are al'right though)

Luke Harris: Program Director

likes: Jesus, basketball, teaching, Nicaraguan pizza, ground beef, salami, and hats

dislikes: snakes

Katie Hathaway: Program Director

likes: books, rain (when she is indoors), chocolate,

Catchphrase, Chacos, and the Texas Longhorns

dislikes: too much danish filling in a danish and

when people put wet dishes on dry dishes

Will "Guillermo" Howard: Program Director

likes: The Beatles, baseball, making various funny faces,

New Orleans Saints, FIFA, and Halo 3, salami

dislikes: spiders, dislikes, squirrels (there's nothing cute about rabies)

Zac Gordon from Boston: Program Director

likes: the Red Sox

skiiing, dogs, Nicaragua, Cháman, salami, tulips, and

the philosophy of Ayn Rand

dislikes: copy machines, talking during movies,

blue-cheese, and people who answer the phone while at the dinner table

Megan Aberley: Program Director

likes: surfing, making art, and bicycles

dislikes: stepping in dog doo and food budgets

Hope Shines Through

I was first made aware of La Chureca a little over two years ago on an alternative spring break trip through the Nicaraguan Orphan Fund at James Madison University. Over 200 college students from four universities in Virginia joined Brad Corrigan, former drummer of the band Dispatch, for el Dia de Luz (Day of Light). We journeyed into the trash to help salvage recyclables, flew kites, attempted to compete with the kids in soccer matches, gave endless amounts of piggyback rides, danced to the music performed by Braddigan, and ultimately dedicated the day to loving this special community. El Dia de Luz (http://dayoflightmovie.com/trailer/) was captured on film and turned into a documentary which was released earlier this year.

After watching the documentary, I was reminded of how crazy life can be in La Chureca. Back in the United States, from the comfort of a cushioned couch in an air conditioned room, it’s easy to not recognize the struggles that 2,000 people are challenged with daily. While I may sometimes complain about cooking, I always have ample amounts of food available. While I may get frustrated about not finding the perfect outfit to wear out, I have clothes. While I may dread studying for exams, I have the opportunity to receive an education. These are all things I tend to take for granted living in the United States. The documentary conjured my passion to serve those in La Chureca, and I applied to be a summer volunteer with Manna Project.

One of Manna's sponsored children swims at Laguna Xiloa

During my first week serving with Manna, we hosted a field trip to a laguna for the families participating in the Child Sponsorship program in La Chureca. As the families boarded the bus to leave for the laguna, I remember one of the program directors commenting that she almost didn’t recognize one of the children. When I asked why, she said because he was dressed so nicely. My next question was what does he usually wear? She said he usually wears nothing.

As I began making home visits with the Child Sponsorship team, there was more than one moment where I had to take a step back to myself after witnessing the reality of this unfathomable poverty. We walked by a house with a small child maybe around two years old playing with Garcia, the tie died bear beanie baby. His Garcia had a torn off leg and the once bright colors were beyond faded and coated with mud. I once owned the same Garcia bear plus probably 4 dozen more of Garcia’s beanie baby friends.

Spending time in La Chureca, I’ve come to realize that there is also an overwhelming hope and joy which shines through the darkness and poverty. I remember when the children came to the clinic to receive their vitamins, oatmeal and milk for the month from the Child Sponsorship program. A recently enrolled child ran around my feet with the biggest smile playing peek-a-boo while he waited his turn to be weighed and measured. I remember a child leaping for joy as he won a game of “chebolas” (marbles). I also remember the smile that greeted me from one of the parents who recognized me from the laguna field trip weeks prior. I’ve learned despite the fact that the families have next to nothing, they do own some of the most heartfelt smiles I’ve ever seen.

My time in Nicaragua is (too) quickly coming to an end. I’ve spent the past month stretching my comfort zone, and now I am packing to return to my familiar life in Virginia. I am continuing to process my experiences and am challenged to share a new perspective as I return to the States. Each Nica smile has truly left an imprint on my heart.

Joanna Lang

Summer Volunteer '10