Not a word was spoken on the bus ride back from today’s trip. Our poverty seminar (where we talked about the causes of poverty, and how to help alleviate it), and Dreaming Nicaragua (the documentary we watched yesterday) did not prepare any of us enough for the images that we have now seen firsthand. Today was Poverty Day, when we visited The Dump, a heartbreaking scene that will be emblazoned in our minds forever. The Dump is just a dump. However, unlike most landfills, there are people, young and old, rummaging through each pile of trash, hoping and praying they will come along something of value. After breakfast, and our academic seminar, we journeyed only twenty minutes away (it’s amazing how our world can completely transform itself when we travel just a few miles) to visit Dona Franziska, an old lady who is in her late 70’s, although she claims that she feels only 15. Although we imagine a person in poverty to be someone to pity, Dona Franziska was kind and so content with her life. She has faced many hardships throughout her life, for example, facing the death of many of her children to preventable sicknesses. Even through so much struggle of death and poverty, she loves life to the fullest. She finds that every second of her time on earth has been a treasure, and that she is so thankful that she has a family that loves and supports her. Dona Franziska’s words made us all appreciate what we have at home so much more. Even though she lives in a one room house without any running water or electricity, and rummages through trash for a small income, she has so much love to share, and so much appreciation for her life.
After talking with the inspirational, kindhearted woman, we took our bus to The Dump. Children as young as 4 were taking care of their baby siblings, while their parents were scavenging through mountains of usually unsafe rubbish, trying to find a matching pair of shoes, or maybe some clothes or blankets for their families. The smell of burning plastic filled the air, and we all struggled not to swat at the dozens of flies swarming around us (lest the families at the dump get offended at our behavior). A woman at The Dump asked Humberto, one of our program coordinators, what we were doing, watching them at their workplace. He replied that we were learning awareness, and developing a larger sense of conscience. And it was very true. Emotions were running high all day, and every single Glimpser who viewed the life of those impoverished families felt guilty and ambitious. Each one of us wanted to alter the unfortunate lives of these people, or at least the lives of someone in poverty. All of us easily could put ourselves into the shoes of these people, and were so thankful that we live such privileged lives. We had the ability to leave The Dump after thirty quick minutes, and not ever be forced to return, but those who live or work at The Dump are there for ten or more hours each day for their whole lives. Everybody was so much more grateful for their lives. While us in first world countries gripe about our phones dying, or having to wake up to go to school every day, the impoverished people in Nicaragua never get close to a chance to complain about these things. They are stuck in a cycle of poverty, where children are forced to stay home from school, or are not given access to a school, which in turn leads them to work at The Dump with their families, and never be able to get a proper job, or a way out of their lifestyle.
When we arrived back at the hostel, we all took time to reflect together about our experience at The Dump. Many used words such as helpless and guilty, but those in turn transformed into words such as ambition, and power. We all were given a lot to think about, and all of us hope to make a difference by spreading awareness to people who may not know the dire circumstances in Nicaragua.
Then, we talked about our Community Action Project, in which we will actually be given the chance to support the people of Esteli by helping to redesign the courtyard of Fundacion Cristal (a school which has just been given a new campus, and needs help to fix it up before they open their doors in September). We started planning on a tree to plant, the design of our mural, and how to bring more of an upbeat vibe to the currently depressing grey walls. Once we had finished planning for our meeting with Fundacion Cristal (which will take place tomorrow), we headed off to our tutoring classes to make a difference in some more lives. Everyone learned a lot during our classes, student and tutor alike.
In all, today was a physically and emotionally draining day. We were shown how privileged our lives are, and we all took something out of our experience at The Dump. We are also very humbled and glad to be given the chance to help people, such as the children at Fundacion Cristal, and our students who are so eager to learn English.
P.S. We love and miss our families dearly, and love hearing your comments! Keep posting them, and thanks for reading!
Dear Sidra,
Wow! Your blog made me experience every single word you wrote. It is definitely eye opening to witness the life of some of the less fortunate in life. Unfortunately, there are too many, and some of them are right here at home in the USA. I can feel how much it has affected you and your fellow Glimpsers. I really liked reading about Dona. Thanks for sharing.
Good luck on your Community Action Project. Looking forward to reading all about it soon.
I love you, and miss you very much!
Sidra! Your experiences from your day are so enlightening. I pray your “ambition and power” drive you to make the world a better place for all. I’m going to have your little cousin read this too
Sidra, thank you for your genuinely heartfelt words! I could feel the impact that your experience had on you all. I feel that you are all gaining priceless wisdom and a very true picture of what much of the world is really like. I feel that the priceless experience you are gaining is what global glimpse is all about. I am so proud of you all for taking so much out of this day. I am sending you warm hugs 🙂
Sidra, your words were very eloquent and moving. I felt tears in my eyes from reading…Thank you! Looking forward to hearing more from you all.
We love you and really miss you!!
great job Sidra! Looking forward to hearing about more if your trip when you get back. Have fun!
Hola Sidra, gracias por escribir el resume del dia! What an amazing day! Although I read yesterday that you all were going to The Dump today, nothing had prepared me for your post…you certainly brought tears to my eyes as I was imaging your day… I love Doña Franziska, she seems so cute … she thought me so much already even without meeting her (enjoy your life, be content and love your life to your fullest… I can only imagine how you all felt …and the experience at The Dump, it most have been hard..those kids there…oh no!….it’s a world hard to imagine exists yet so close… I was very happy that you all reflected on the experience of today and you all can make an impact in the future …but for now, on your daily routine, please continue to give yourselves to your students and do your best with the project to help Fundacion Cristal this is so so impactful…and we are all super proud of you adnd the difference you are making I those people you are meeting there ! The plans for the project sound so exciting ! I can’t wait to see how you transform the school into life..and loved al the pictures !it shows the pimpact you all are already making especially your Engilish students! gracias y hasta mañana!
Hi all
We are checking every day looking forward to the story of your adventures.
Thank you all for sharing this beautiful and deep experience despite the fatigue of a long day.
Sam do not forget to take pictures and we hope you did not forget to buy coffee.
Your daily blogs are also followed in France by Sam’s family!
A big thank you to all the Nicaraguan people that host you for some time together.
Hi Sidra, thank you for such a touching blog post. I was in tears while reading your description of the poverty day in dump. This whole 18-day trip is so priceless that could shape your glimpsers to be stronger, more caring, more thankful and more tolerant to people who are less fortunate. You are our future. We all hope you will do your part to make this world better and better.
A visit to Dona Franziska was another life coaching experience. This woman who endures such a life hardship still loves life to the fullest. We should all be happy and enjoy what we have at home.
Thank you, Sidra, for your heartfelt writing! It is such an eye opening and learning experiences for all of us. I hope that you all will remain peaceful on your remaining daily routines after “a physically and emotionally draining day”.
Take care and help each other!
Thank you dear Sidra for such a beautifully written blog. It is full of heartfelt emotions. I took the journey with you.
Dear Ishwa, I know you are learning way more than being in any classroom. I want you to take the time to write down about your feelings and experiences in your notebook. You will forget them soon otherwise. We are all well and missing you.
Love you
mom