Hello loved ones! Sammy and Cindy here!
After a long, stress-filled day, we are proud to say that the dream team was able to finish up our CAP projects. We started off with a “late” wake-up call at 7 a.m. We then made our way to our usual Buffet Estelí to enjoy our daily serving of Gallo Pinto with a special surprise appearance: Pancakes! After breakfast, we went on a bus trip and arrived at La Montañita with a strong motivation to finish our job that was nearing completion.
By the end of the day, the classrooms were decked out with new clean window panels, backpack and jacket hooks, handmade bookshelves, new fluorescent lights and fixtures, and a surplus amount of school supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, markers, etc.). The playground group remodeled the basketball hoop, added court lines, removed garbage and dangerous playground equipment, built a driveway, and added new concrete benches. In the garden, we added our finishing touches that consisted of pathways, a gate, a trellis, a sink, garden signs, fencing, and the garden wall decorated with Glimpser’s handprints as well as the little handprints of the students at La Montañita. We were satisfied to see the bright reactions of the students as they walked around their updated school. It was a very complicated, difficult task, but we really came together to complete our plans successfully.
Sydney, Cammie, Tyler, Lan-Anh, and Kelsey built a beautiful, enclosed garden. Helen, Daisy, Jackie, Liz, Elisa, Adrianna, Maricela, and Kam painted and created functional, Nicaraguan-colored bookshelves and signs. Brendan, Jason, Buna, Sarb, Bernardo, Paulette, and Devin dug, lifted, and carried every rock and stone they could. And every Glimpser contributed to every other project in some way. Additionally, there are special shout-outs to Maricela, Buna, and Jason for creating a powerful connection to the kids during the last two days and to Brendan for being the kindest, most helpful group member for everyone. The students and teachers all expressed their gratitude as we wrapped up and said our sad goodbyes. We wished them the best of luck for the future and jumped on our bus to the next leadership opportunity of the day. We truly hope our Courage, Commitment, and Compassion were on full display this week. Our bodies and minds are tired, but our hearts are full.
As we arrived back at Hostel Tomabú, we had some time to ourselves to get ready for another session of English tutoring. The two hours flew by and as soon as we knew it we were on our way to dinner at the infamous Buffet Estelí. The staff served us a mouthwatering plate of fried enchiladas, rice, beans, plantains, and fresh dragon fruit lemonade juice. We then headed back to the hostel to self-reflect on our CAP project and continue on with our nightly meeting as we passed on the torch to our illustrious author peer, Elisa.
Dear Sammy and All…. I am so glad you guys are doing so much for the community there. Continue to give your best and brings these wonderful memories back with you. We miss you all very very much and hope to see you soon.
xoxo
You must feel so proud about yourself!!!! It really takes special people to do what you guys are doing, keep the good job and don’t forget to have fun!!!
That’s awesome!!! Everything that all of you are doing its a huge blessing. I want personally Thank all of you for all the support and significant work. To my daughter Maricela, i want to say that I’m So proud of you. Im also happy for you. This is a life time experience. Te amo muñequita. Cant wait to have you back
Hi Sammy and Cindy!
Thank you for the wonderful update on your CAP projects! The garden area looks great and I’m sure it wasn’t easy in the rain and mud. You all should be proud of your accomplishments!
It was great getting a phone call today…you are all missed a lot!
Cammie, are you craving pizza yet?
Love, Mom
Wow! What a job you all did! I am sure you will remember this part of your trip the most.
Enjoy your last few days. Take it all in, the smells, the rain, the colors, the food and your new GG brothers and sisters. You will be home soon enough.
We have enjoyed all the detailed blogs and pictures, making missing you so much easier.
Sid’s Mom
Paulette!! I’m so proud of you, you’re doing so many awesome things and you’re having fun while doing them! We all miss you so much and I can’t wait to see you sunday!!! God bless you!!!!!!!!!
Good post, Sammy and Cindy! Your CAPs turned out great and will help kids for years to come. Thanks everyone for your hard work. You’ve all have done a great job representing the best of the United States!
—Jenne, Tyler’s ‘rent
[Hi Tyler…Aunt Lindy here …keeping your mom and pups company ……sorry I missed you! Proud of you!
Hey Son! Just went to Fat Apple’s with Aunt Lindy. She has a presentation at Cal tomorrow, so she’s staying over. In your bedroom 🙂 If you have space on your camera, please take photos of your room, Buffet Estelí, and the outside of the buildings. I want to see everything! I love you and miss you and am both sad and happy that your adventure is almost over. See you soon!]
Paulette!! It makes me so happy to see you on your adventure and i’m so proud of you! You’re doing so many awesome things! We all miss you so much and we can’t wait to have you back!
Bien Hecho everyone! So impressed by all your efforts on behalf of the local community. It sounds like you are working incredibly hard.
Cammie – I am in Santa Barbara with Grammie who asked me to tell you how proud of you she is. You may not know this but she volunteered for a group called Aeromedicos way back when she was still working as a nurse. They provided health care to impoverished communities in rural Mexico. She says it makes her happy to see that you are carrying on the tradition, making a difference in the world, and she hopes that you and your friends feel proud of the good work that you are doing there.
In other news, it is perfect weather here, as usual. Between my physical therapy routines we’ve been keeping busy with things like walking the dogs on the beach and collecting sea glass. Today we scouted locations for Kennedy’s 21st birthday party. Casa Blanca (which was designed by Jeff Shelton) looks like the probable winner.
Counting the days to your return. Love you and miss you.
Sooo awesome!!! You guys truly made an impact in these kids lives! So very proud of you all for taking on such a huge project!!
Kamryn- Loved hearing your voice today babe!!! Cannot WAIT to see you Sat! We all miss you sooo much Lovebug!!
You glimpsers truly demonstrated your passion and ability to make a difference to other people’s lives. Proud of you, all. Kel, can’t believe I missed your call, what a pity! So glad to hear your voice in the message…..
You all have done a great job during this days, I’m so proud of you guys, everything it’s amazing… Paulette estoy orgullosa de ti mi niña eres genial!!! Disfruta los días que te restan en Nicaragua ?? y vive al máximo cada momento, gracias por todas las fotos compartidas estoy segura que serán uno de los mejores momentos. Te amo y nos vemos el domingo!!
Wow, so much accomplishments in so little time. The paintings look beautiful and the muddy project looks great as well. YOU YOUNG GLIMPSERS “”ROCK”.
Have a safe flight back home. Big MAHALOS to your wonderful leaders.
Lots of ALOHAS from the East Bay, CA to you all.
You ALL did great things these last two weeks.
Esteli was where I went last year too, and it’s the best site! I’m so proud of you all for accomplishing this CAP project and great job Cindy on cowriting/leading today! I’m so happy to see all the things you’re learning and witnessing on this trip. Enjoy your last days and I can’t wait for you to hear your stories when you get back!
Lots of love from SJ,
Michelle
Great leaders are rooted deeply in values and the human spirit. Awesome trip for tomorrow’s leaders.
Miss you and see you soon Kel..
Hey Cindy!
Looks like you’re having so much fun helping people while I’m here at school struggling! I wished I was there too but I miss you lots, can’t wait to hear your stories when you come back! Have a safe trip home! 🙂
MISS YOU!
Great job Cindy!! Miss you
Cindy!
It’s Charles here. How are you? It’s chill in San Jose. Hope you’re doing okay. Can’t wait to hang out when you come back. Have a safe flight home. Travis says he misses you a lot. Like he says it non stop. All the time.
Hey, it’s Venice, how you doing? Hope you’re having fun over there in Esteli! ?