Hola everyone!
Glimpsers were ready for the day with their electricity and showers back! We began our morning with a field trip to the Esteli dump where we spoke to Dona Francisca, a woman who has lived and worked there her whole life. It was an emotional and eye opening experience for many of us, but the opportunity to see it made us think hard about not only our own lives, but the world we live in.
After showers and lunch, we had a time to reflect on the morning and talk about our experience at the dump. I was personally so proud to see everyone exhibit both courage and compassion while discussing what we, as individuals, can do to spread awareness.
Our next field trip was to Fundacion Cristal, the only school offered to children with disabilities here in Nicaragua. It is here we will complete our Community Action Project (CAP)! We spoke with Directora Jahima to discuss what projects the school would benefit from the most. The school is focused on helping families and the community, as well as creating a sustainable building and organic garden! Jahima’s dedication to the school and all her students was truly inspiring and made us all very excited for our upcoming days working there to complete our projects.
After a delicious dinner, we relaxed and prepared for our first day of English tutoring! We have been split up into groups depending on our level of Spanish so we can communicate to our students. Everyone was a little nervous to meet their class at first, but all of our students are so eager to learn and we have the next week to teach them as much as we can.
The day proved to be challenging, yet bonded the group even closer. Being Lider Del Dia took lots of determination throughout the entire day, but proved to be an opportunity to grow as a leader!
Tomorrows Lider Del Dia is Lisa Calvillo! Stay tuned and keep reading.
Hasta Manana!
Mia Babasyan
What a wonderfully written blog post ! The emotion, care, dedication and passion that all of you feel comes through so vividly in this write up and with the photographs ! I can scarcely imagine, sitting here in my car in San Ramon, what it must feel like to gain such a global perspective by visiting the places that are illustrated in these photographs. All of you will have unique memories which will undoubtedly impact you in a profound way forever! So proud of everyone of you ! Love to all of you GG-ers!!
Great update Mia! Nice to see your Team continue to learn and contribute to community with such passion! Great pictures!
Tejas, loved seeing you in action buddy! We miss you!
Great job all of you!
Go Warriors – champions ?????
Love to all, looking forward to next blog ?
Gracias Mia for your update!
An eye opener on environmental impact!
All the very best on the next endeavor and the noble cause you guys are going to undertake.
Cannot wait for the team progress on Community Action Project (CAP)! in the coming week +.
GO WARRIORS!!!
Hi Zach,
When I saw the pictures of the dump the first thing I thought of was The Recycled Orchestra from Cateura, Paraguay. Do you remember them? They made all of their instruments from recycled garbage. They were awesome! Fundacion Cristal sounds like a great place for your CAP. Gardening will be another new experience for you. I think the last thing we grew here were grape tomatoes. Good luck with your first day of tutoring! I know you’ll be great at it with your public speaking experience.
<3 you!
Hi Glimpsers! Sounds like another fabulous day! Mia, your write up is very touching…the school looks bright and beautiful in the pictures! I am excited to know what kind of CAP project you all will be doing…
How were the English classes??!!
Thank you fircdoing these write ups – I really enjoy reading them every night:-).
Enjoying all your pictures Anya! Love to you all,
Thank you Mia for the daily update. The last 2 days have been eye opening for all of you and such a worthwhile experience.
Hey Alison, how’s Spanish for you? I hope you are doing ok with a foreign language. BTW, don’t forget to cover up when you go out to avoid mosquito bites. You have plenty of bug spray to use! And stay away from stray dogs. I hope you get a free day soon to relax. We miss you so much. Love you!!
The Warriors won the NBA Finals against the Cavs. 120-129!!!
Hi Alison, this is Tia Gladys Sweetheart. I’ve been following your trip and reading the blogs from Estelí. What a great educational experience. I. Know there are some hard and difficult issues around there, but having this global, first hand knowledge of this part of the world will make a positive impact in all of you in your future outlook of the world. I hope you all had fun in your free day! It’s been already a week since you guys arrived at Estelí. Enjoy next week. We can’t wait to see you back and hear all the trip details. Much love ❤️ Tia Gladys
Oh my, your trip to the dump reminds me so much of Cyndi’s experience last summer in the Dominican Republic. Ever since she shared her stories about the people who spend their whole lives in the dump with me, not a day has gone by that I don’t think of them and pray they’ll find a “treasure” in order to sell and get the few pennies in order to buy some food for themselves and family. My heart aches for the people. I wish you well in your encounters with the children and hope you can bring sunshine and hope to each.
Great blog Mia. Very moving experience sounds like. Miss you so much. Your Dad, Zara and Simba miss you too!!!! Go Glimpsers!
Thank you for the daily update, Mia! Beautifully written.
I love seeing pictures of the school! The pictures are so bright and colorful.
Makenna, we think about you everyday and we wonder what you and your fellow classmates have planned next. We look forward to reading all the blogs and we LOVE seeing the pictures (I’m so happy I get to see you in some of them)!
We love and miss you!
Mom, Dad, Lucas and Logan
Thank you for the blog Mia. Glad to see my granddaughter, Makenna, in some of the pictures. I know this is such a humbling experience for her and the rest of your team.
Kenna, we all miss you, stay safe ok. We love you and looking forward to hear more about your amazing experiences. ??❤️
Mia, your perspective on this trip is such a great read. It almost feels like I’m with you as you undergo this amazing experience. Your friends miss you lots. I can’t wait to hear more amazing stories when you get back. I love you <3
My girl Mia! te extrano mucho. Your blog and the images you captured truly adds a personal touch. I can see the impact you and other glimpsers are making. Keep motivating and being strong. Si se puede! I love you bud! And I’m excited to hear in person<3
Dear Alison, we were so happy to hear from you this afternoon!!! Glad to know that you are doing well and enjoying the food and embracing this opportunity in Esteli. You are a brave girl and we are very proud of you!!!???
Also, shoutout to Cyndi, Melissa, Christa and Belkis for taking care of our kids when they are so far away from home. Thank you!! ??
Hello Jessica!
Sounds like you’re really learning about the culture. We missed your call today 🙁
I think CK has been sneaking around your room for stinky socks and sleeping on your bed… I see that guilty look on his face in the morning.
Enjoy your time and look forward to reading your journal.
xoxo D
It sounds like you’re having a very successful trip. I can’t wait to hear more when you return! Glad to see you are learning more about the importance of our influence on the environment and I hope it will continue to inspire you when you come home. I miss you sooo much!! Love you and can’t wait to hear from you again!
Jessica, I hope you are having a great time! I miss you so much and can’t wait to hear about all your crazy adventures when you get back home. These pictures and blogs are amazing and I love reading them!
I’m so happy that you could go on such an incredible and unique experience, and I know you will bring back some great memories that will last you a lifetime. Remember to have fun, smile, and be safe!!
Thinking of you,
Owen:)
Dear Carmen,
I’m so happy for you that you have this opportunity to go to Nicaragua, especially for a good cause! I remember during the school year when you were just telling me about how much you wanted to go on this trip. I hope this will be an eye opening experience for you and I can’t wait til you come back and tell us all about it cause you always come back with crazy stories LOL. It sounds like you’re having an amazing time though!! We’re all so proud of you :)) love you lots and miss you!! xoxo
It is sad feel to hear the dump filed experience and they are still a lot of people living in the poverty. Hope the team can dedicate the work and contribute the effort to improve the living condition for the future.
Hey Makenna, we are so proud of you! We can’t wait to see what awesome experiences are next. This is a great opportunity for you and your team. Dejah would like to say, “I miss you and enjoy your trip.” Uncle Cj said he wants you to teach him some recipes you learned :). Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy every minute! We love you!
Auntie Cecilia, Uncle Cj, Dejah, and Aiyana