Monday was the infamous and highly esteemed Poverty Day, and I’d like to think I was fully prepared for the emotional strings attached to being leader of the day. In essence, the day revolves around the delegation traveling to El Basurero (or local dump), and learning about the lives of those who live and work there. It was definitely a very busy day, but we all learned a lot as a group.
We started the day off with songs. Lots of High School Musical and Hannah Montana echoed through the halls of the hostel as some students sang or held conversations about the 8th Wonder of the World (the mysterious flooding in Tommy and Matt’s room) before a banana pancake breakfast (featuring the last of John M’s Nutella). Afterwards, I led a game of Smile If You Love Me as our daily energizer before Deb’s seminar on poverty in Nicaragua. She talked about shocking statistics regarding Nicaragua – low literacy rates, but unemployment rates going through the roof, and that Nica is the most poverty stricken country in Latin America. Everything we were reading seemed so much more than just facts and figures on paper. Just days before we had seen all of this, first hand, in our experience with living on a dollar a day. By the end of the seminar, there was a general thoughtful (and for our delegation, unusual) silence. But Deb put us all at ease and had all of us run around the room and hug at least three people. Most of us just did as many speedy hugs as possible.
Next was free time, where we all were supposed to also prepare our lessons for English tutoring. Most groups busted out their lesson plans with ease, and we all ran up to the cafe for a quick coffee and pastry. Thank God for our newfound freedom – but it’s really getting us hooked on coffee! A majority of my time on the outing was spent obsessively counting to make sure all 19 of the students who came were safe and sound, though. Back home, Yazmin suggested that we all contribute about 20 cordobas towards buying some bread for the families at the dump. So I rounded everyone up to collect money, and then we proceeded with putting together the goodie bags with other donations – which consisted of pencils, index cards, and lots of candies for the kids. Before we knew it, it was time to go.
The delegation was first introduced to members of Club Infantil, an organization of people who work with families in the dump, along with the poorer youth from the cities. They explained to us some of their responsibilities, and also prepped the group for the day. In the past, many of the people from the dump were reluctant to have outsiders come in. However, through teaming up with Club Infantil and Global Glimpse, many of them were now very open to our presence, and willing to share their stories with us.
As we drove up hills and continued to chitchat to fill the time, there was still a bit of an ominous air that hung in the bus. We had previously caught glimpses of the dump while driving into Jinotega. There was smoke bellowing through the mountains, and students looked out the window to ask our leaders about whether there was a dangerous fire or if it was intentional. As Julia explained, it was part of burning the trash at the dump – which we would learn more about later in the trip. The brief look at the dump from far away wasn’t enough preparation for what we physically saw in our time there.
Honestly, it looked like a scene from a movie. There were hundreds of vultures either flying around, perched at the ends of the cliffs, or pecking at some rotten food they’d found. Piles of trash as tall as buildings were closer to the ends of the cliffs. Bony, stray dogs aimlessly wandered around. The thick smoke covered the view of the mountains across from us. Flies swarmed around anything and everything, leading us to consistently swat at the air. The roads were unpaved, rocky, and covered in with the soles of old shoes. The homes were made of large cuts of plastic propped against one another. As one dump truck drove in, all of the workers would hurriedly rush to begin sorting through the trash. And the smell – there aren’t really many words to describe that.
About 5 or 6 teenagers from Club Infantil who lived at the dump guided us throughout El Basurero. We stopped with a bit of distance away from the workers to both be respectful, but also to keep a safe distance from the cliffs. At this point, a chance to interview the kids opened up, and the delegation started pouring out questions. Some students wanted to know what the recycling process was like, while others asked about their dreams, or how often they ate full meals. This is when the most heartbreaking of answers came through. One boy said that even if he had dreams, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish them. When asked about one thing they truly want, another boy simply answered, “To get out of here.”
Then, we all went together to play a game of soccer with more of the kids and teens who lived there. Just like any other sports game we’ve played in Nica thus far, they clearly won – although Alex would argue that it was a tie. Some people stayed back to make bracelets with the younger girls. Personally, I helped with the bracelets until a met a little boy named Edwin. He had one dimple and the warmest light about him. He and I talked through my broken Spanish, and kicked a soccer ball between the two of us. Soon, his best friend came along, and I invited Diana, Ayden, Mark, and Christian to join us, as well. The best part of my interactions with Edwin was just after we passed out the bread and juice. Edwin ran back from the bus, and offered me his juice bag. I explained to him that I wasn’t thirsty so he could keep it – but it was simple gestures like this that truly touched the delegation. It seemed like everyone had a moment where these people with almost nothing not only shared their time with us, but offered up some of the few possessions they had. And not to mention, holding a smile the whole way through.
Other highlights of the day was seeing how the simplest of things could bring such joy to them. Deb gave each of the kids a couple of cartoon erasers, and I watched them all giggle with excitement and run to compare with one another. Celeste and Janessa made bracelets for some little girls and they would just admire it on their arms. Gabby mentioned watching a boy bring his grandparents the bag of bread and all three of them beaming and nudging one another as they ate.
The day ended just as quickly as it started. Upon returning home, we immediately jumped into a very, very emotional group reflection. Alex started it off with a quick talk – reminding us to shoot for the stars because of all of the opportunities we are given, and that we should never give up. He said, “Trying to fly is how you learn how to fly.” It’s hard to find a way to really capture the moment we all shared in this meeting without tainting it. The best way I can describe it, though, is that we collectively came to an understanding. An understanding of how lucky we truly are, or to take advantage of our great privilege – but mainly, an understanding that it was time to make a change.
I passed around post-cry Reese’s and Pocky, and some students took showers before we headed out to English tutoring. There was a celebration at the school that day where the kids played in a marching band with dancers, and it was a great way for all of us to distract ourselves and lift our spirits. We all coordinated a group game of Freeze Tag, and everyone reported feeling very successful with their lessons – so it seems like everyone channeled their uneasy feelings in a positive way.
To all of the parents/friends/teachers/etc of the delegation, I really thoroughly enjoyed getting the chance to lead your daughters/sons/friends/students/etc. This is a special group of people we have in Jinotega right now. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this trip takes us.
Oh my goodness, Thea. Deep breath. I can only liken reading your writing, to reading Sapphire’s Push. You can’t say it’s good, because the contents are so sad and horrific (and also somehow uplifting- sigh, so hard to describe), but you have so touchingly captured your group’s experience on Poverty Day, that we are just immeasurably touched. As Grandma, Ally, Daddy, and I sit and read this together. I think we have a far-better picture than we really want to imagine the extreme poverty in Nicaragua. We have some serious perspective-taking to do as Americans- and what poverty truly is- that’s for sure.
We love you. We are so proud of all of you.
When you are at home we butt heads so often, mainly because I worry about you and what type of person you will become, but I can clearly see that I don’t have anything to worry about. You’ve become an incredible young woman and you’ve left me feeling very humbled for so many reasons. I have very high expectations for you and the person you are to be , but it’s very clear that you’ve met or surpassed those expectations. Great job kiddo! We are very proud of you and are so impressed by the extent of the work that you and the other “Glimpsers” are doing. You guys are awesome!
I’m laughing my fool head off right now because the smile I have on my face is so big and so wide—-it hurts! Keep up the great work. I’m looking forward to when you get back and we can see the photos and hear the stories about the people you’ve met in Nicaragua.
Everyday I always read the blog for your group. I am so happy that all of you now realized how lucky you are. Now, as teenagers you can appreciate things that we as parents have done for all of you. Keep up the good work, and both myself and your Dad together with your brother (Jason) and sister (Ayee) is very proud of you Charissa. I am so happy that you were able to go to this trip with the help of a lot of people. I miss you so much and can’t wait to see you again. Take care always. Good Job Glipmsers and thank you so much to all the coordinators for teaching are kids to be responsible individuals to our society. We are all proud of your accomplishments. See you all soon.
Wow Thea, that is an extremely impressive blog! I would certainly be interested in reading a novel by you if you ever decide to write one. Although, I can see where it comes from, even your family members’ “comments” are well written. The story about the group contributing Cordobas to buy people bread was so touching as well. Your blog didn’t even need a picture, the imagery is so vivid. Keep up the great work Jinotega crew!
Job well done!!! See you in a few days.
Oh my word Thea! I thought my heart was wrenched out before. Wrong!
My husband (Christian’s grandfather) just walked by the door of the room where I am on the computer and saw me sitting here crying. He asked what was wrong and I couldn’t even speak. I am still crying as I write this to you. I don’t know if this is affecting me more because my husband was born in Nicaragua and spent his young years there. He wasn’t in the dire situation these people are in, but still, those are ‘his’ people. But even if that were not the case, and he was not born there, how can you not feel so deeply in your heart, the sadness that surrounds you when you learn of the life of these people. I am in need of that hugging session that you all shared. X…X…X
Alex is so right. You all have learned such a valuable lesson and are realizing all the opportunities that are out there waiting for you. Yes, shoot for the stars. Look out world, here they come :o)
Thank you to each and every one of you for everything you are doing. What a blessing for the people there and what an enormous experience this has been for you.
God bless you all and may you please remain safe and sound until your return home.