Politics day began at 6:15 this morning, but if I was honest I would say that no one was truly awake until after breakfast. When breakfast was finished, we all rushed outside to get some fresh air and to play an intense game of “Ninja”.
Next, we had Dayling, Caesar, and Alberto Rosales from the Centro Nicaraguanese de Derechos Humanos (CENIDH) come to our hostel to discuss the reality of modern-day Nicaragua’s political state. CENIDH is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization that promotes the education of human rights in Nicaragua and the rightful indictment of political crime and corruption. Each speaker woke up around 4:45 this morning and suffered through a 3 hour long bus ride just to speak to us!
During CENIDH’s speech and presentation, we learned about Nicaragua’s current president Daniel Ortega and his plan to build a $50 billion canal across Nicaragua to join the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Although this canal can bring large economic success, many of Nicaragua’s citizens believe that its negative impacts outweigh its benefits. If this canal is built, it will destroy many of rural Nicaragua’s forests and will displace over 100,000 people throughout the region. Since 2014, there has been 42 protest demonstrations from citizens nationwide who oppose Ortega’s canal. In fact, 24 citizens were killed in one protest just last December.
Many of us within the group felt a sense of familiarity when we compared Nicaragua’s opposition to Ortega’s plan to our experiences with the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It especially made me think about how our upbringing in the SF Bay affected the way we reacted to Rosales’ speech and the idea of political corruption. In the end, I realized just how thankful I should be to know my rights as a human and to know that I have access to the education and knowledge that gives me a political voice back in the States.
After lunch and a couple of energizer activities, a Theater troupe from Estelí performed a short, storybook-esque skit that summarized Nicaragua’s political history post-Spanish rule. They made the learning experience quirky, fun and interactive! It was really awesome to see young people from the troupe use their art and their passion for theater and history to spread a message of education and awareness across their own community in addition to ours.
The rest of the day consisted of some more CAP donation hunting and English classes. The night consisted of dinner, a recap of our English classes and the nightly meeting. It’s now almost time for lights out! We have a big day tomorrow and an early start! Goodnight!
Personal Messages:
Ari: Hi Mom, Dad, and Cerica! I miss you guys a lot! Make sure you feed the rabbit!!
Jessica: I almost feel like I live here now but I’m counting down the days until I can be with you all. I wish I could just have you all here and it’d be A ok. I love every one of you that I know is reading this.
Claudia: I miss everyone at home. Love you guys!!
Hey Brianna!
Oh my gosh hopefully you’ve gotten used to all this waking up early and you wont always be running late to school anymore! Haha. I can’t wait for you to come home cuz theres so much new stuff for you to see at the house!!…I’ll let you wonder what it is though haha. Pepper and Buddy are sad and they always look like they’re wondering where you are! It’s okay I told them you’ll be home very soon! Cant wait to see you and I love you!
Your Sisterrr 🙂
Dear claudia… i saw anjela today and she asked me when you’re coming back to Obviously go to my games…since you guys went to all the high school ones…anyways we won 7-0 today against san mateo and we play half moon bay at half moon bay soon but i dont know when…well obviously i miss you…of you havnt noticed…im sorry guys she not just my girlfriend she my bestfriend too…like i literally bust out my wwe skills on her…im not even playing ask her about it aha…anyways take care claudia be safe i love you
Lol…@Jessica maybe we will end up moving out there! I Love you, I am counting the days to go pick you up at the airport and give you a big hug honey. Also keep in mind change can be a good thing, you will need it when you come back!
Jessica ! I can’t wait to see you when you’re home and hear all about your adventure koko is getting so big I’m sure she will be excited to see you !!! I love you and I’m happy you’re doing this it will help you as a person now and in the future !! See you soon !!
Hola Claudia few more days and you will be here, monday I am not working, so we can spend some time together, we miss you and love you See You Sunday.
How things have changed; when I was younger, Mr. Ortega was one of the political protestor who ended up in jail and finally had to leave the country. That shows you there is another side to every story; specially stories your mom tells you about me 🙂 By the way you report was very informative. Miss you, Dad
Hi Ari, I enjoyed reading your post. You sure know how to talk like a politician 🙂 Great way to let your thoughts, opinions and feelings shine through. Proud of you! Love, Mom and Dad.
Thank you for your blog post, Ari! I’m glad the Politics Day discussions invited thoughtful comparisons to issues here in the U.S. There’s a lot of good work to be done by thoughtful, committed, and engaged young people.
“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius
Great job ari! miss you so much can’t wait to see you! hope esteli is treating you well! enjoy your last couple of days because you will miss it a lot once you are back home!
LOVE YOU <3
ARI!! I know this was from like 4 months ago but I still enjoyed reading about your experience. Love you <3