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.
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.
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.
Such a day of strong emotions – we look forward to hearing your personal reflections on all these perspective-widening experiences. We all could use such a reminder about prioritizing what is really important in life.
Back in California we are missing you but doing ok. Auntie Meg and the boys left SD to return north. GP, Kita, Sandy, Taylor, Wig, Emma, Elisa and Peter ended the day playing cards at GPs. Much love to you, – m & p
Hi Buddy! Glad to see you are learning about poverty and environmental health. Keep up that drive to learn and to then use your knowledge to help others, such as people, fishies, raccoons, and squirrels. Much love to you Miko <3
Hey Jess & Jenny! I’ve been reading your guys blog posts and it looks like you guys are having such a great time ! I miss you girls ! Keep up the great work. You girls are amazing leaders ❤
Love em
HI FRANCESCA AND FELLOW GLIMPSERS.WOW !!Poverty day sounds like a heart wrencher .and Franziska sounds like a strong soul.its hard to belive what some people have to deal with,and it is amazing that through it all they can still find happiness.you glimpsers are a great bunch and im sure you will all hav a new out look on life. Miss you frannie love Dad…..
I love your group’s pictures and the way you showed how beautiful the valley is that the unsightly dump is nestled into. You were really able to capture the contrast.
I hope each of you at least one time during your senior year when you are getting stressed or “worked up” over small things, are able to think back to this day and realize that it probably isn’t worth stressing about. Well done Angelic.
hi jenni. mija como estas quiero decirte q estoy muy emocionada x q ya mero reresan.tambie quiero felicitar a todo el grupo de global glimse x la experiencia q estan viviendoen otro pais con otra gente estoy segura q estas memorias les quedaran x siemore en sus corazones de cada uno de ustedes. tambien para mi mija es una experiencia q yo no habia vivido deestar tan tonto tiempo lejos de ti te extrano mucho hace falta tu precencia en la casa. jenni te quiero mucho cuidate y disfruta los dias q te quedan en nicaragua con tus copaneros de global glimse. nos vemos pronto. te quiero mija tu mama MARIA CORTEZ.
Good job posting, Angelic!
Our compassion is growing with yours through those stories. Hope these experiences only make you all stronger person.
Hi, Sean, great job going through these challenging days. Just to let you know that dad and I will go visiting Alvin and will be back on Sunday. If you happen to have another call time, please call our cell.
Love you.
Hi Everyone Jessica.I hope you are well I have seen all the picture.Glad to see you washed by hand I miss and love you.I am waiting for you. Your Dad brother and cometa say hello. Tambien tus tips te saludan te queer is trabajas mucho te saluda cometa te esperamos
LEEZA – I just heard about u getting sick! 🙁 Hope you’re feeling better. I miss & love u very much. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS & DON’T OVER DO IT. Only 1 more week to go = just know when u get back, MOM will be giving u lots of hugs so be prepared & let me! 🙂
Thanks, Angelic, for expressing so well your deep thoughts about what poverty really is. It is something I will think think about when my immediate world gets stressy and it seems no one is listening. If only more people could gain your perspective.
Looking forward to hearing all about your journey. Mrs. N/ESA
Hiiii mi beautiful sister Jessica, i’m so proud of you my little angel, u are an amazing person and i miss talking with you, all this is admirable, i’m really soooo proud!!! i love u sister