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Hello friends and family! Today was another challenge day and first day of me being the leader of the day. Our wake up call for today was six and then we proceeded to our usual breakfast at Buffet Estelí, eating our favorite gallo pinto. During breakfast some fellow glimpsers shared their fears of the day’s events since we were told it would be emotionally challenging. Back at the hostel we had our seminar to prepare us and learned the background of the poverty in Nicaragua.

Our bus ride to Las Cruces changed pretty quickly as we soon to  encountered a bumpy road and more flies than usual. We made a short walk through the poorest community we’ve seen since being here and met Doña Franziska. There we learned the struggles she faced daily through out her life having 25 children and 17 dying from the harsh conditions. Seeing how strong and “young” she felt talking to us opened a lot of our eyes and left many of us thinking.

Afterwards we ventured off to the dump in which we saw up close and personal how these people’s lives depended so much on other people’s trash. Children, animals, and even entire families scavenged for their daily bread, many of them gaining close to nothing on a full days work. We found out most of them only eat once a day and have to walk up to at least three times during the day to collect water from a pump located near the entrance to the community.

Angelic presents Doña Franziska with a picture of our group to thank her for sharing her story with us and allowing us to se her home.

Angelic presents Doña Franziska with a picture of our group to thank her for sharing her story with us and allowing us to se her home.

First look at the dump and people working to salvage anything of value & food.

First look at the dump and people working to salvage anything of value & food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dump is nestled into a green valley.

The dump is nestled into a green valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Immediately after we gathered for a self-reflection in which most of us shared that back home we were always getting so worked up over things that seemed so petty to us now. We all gave input and discussed what changes we would make back in the states when we returned and to definitely appreciate our things more. Our values and the less fortunate Nicaraguans’ values contrasted greatly as we all realized you can be poor but feel very rich inside as long as you have what you need.

 

Spider Web energizer before CAP planning

Spider Web energizer before CAP planning

After this heavy load we then  switched our attention to our CAP project, first doing an energizer that involved us all holding a part of a string given to us by someone who told us our great qualities, Sean saying I was a great dancer and me saying Lupe was a thoughtful person. We then put our ideas together and began brainstorming different projects that would benefit everyone in every aspect. I lead this activity and it was evident everyone had their opinions ready to share and be explored.

Then we were off to our usual English tutoring classes and got to know our students a little better. After that was dinner which we all always seem to enjoy, getting together and discussing our days. We returned back for some last minute CAP debriefing and had our nightly meeting which I passed the leadership title off to Crystal who will be leading our next and final challenge day, working as a local.

Thank you all for reading and please keep the comments coming as I know its always anticipated at our meetings by everyone. Yours Truly, Angelic.