Yesterday was our second Aid and Development day, but this time we got to speak with members of two organizations, Global Brigades and ERSLA (Emergency Response Service for Latin America). We met our speakers at a cafe across the street from our hostel and listened to them tell us about what it has been like working in Nicaragua. One of the speakers, Rodney, who had founded his organization ERSLA, explained to us his definition of Aid and Development. To him there is a huge difference between the two, and it can be shown through a well known quote. “Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.”
We often think it okay to send food and clothes to countries who have recently had a natural disaster, but what happens when we stop sending them those supplies? Its great to get them back on their feet, but we have to teach them how to continue on after the help has left. If we never teach them to continue supporting themselves what we gave them will eventually diminish. This was Rodney’s definition of Aid, giving but never showing how to help themselves. When we teach those who need our help, skills to help themselves after organizations have left, they can continue on prospering.
After our speakers left we had our last English class, and it was less English class and more of a FIESTA! We brought snacks, gave certificates and said our goodbyes to the students. Even though we were sad to see our students go we were glad to have taught them all. Right after our English class we all went to a Nicaraguan dance class. We all tried our best, but some of us are rhythmically challenged. We all had tons of fun!
Hey mom, love you!
Celeste, everything you guys have done sounds so amazing. Enjoy your last few days with your new friends, you will take other trips , with friends, family, and some day your own family, but this is such a unique opportunity; To have fun, while improving a community, bringing positive energy into someone’s life, learning about their lives, their worries, sorrows, challenges and their happiness and joy. You will realize there are a lot more commonalities in your life with the locals than there are differences, the only thing that is different is the systems they live in, politically, economically, and how those systems impact their quality of life. Yesterday when I spoke to Jerry I said to him, that I tried to teach you that the less fortunate do not choose this life, people do not choose to be homeless, on public assistance, or a life of crime to support them selves; just as the people in the Basurero do not choose this for themselves, they are strong and are surviving, they want a better life for themselves and their children, just like us. Just like your friends and their families……as humans our reality is what is around us, and we strive to make things work, to make things better for ourselves, and some very special people try to make things better, not only for themselves but, for others as well.
I hope you and your friends had a wonderful day,
You are missed
Love Mom
This trip has been a true cultural exchange and I am glad to hear and read the growth you all have experienced over the last weeks. It’s truly an experience you will take with you the rest of your lives and hopefully it will influence the decisions you make going forward.
Hey Haley? I love you back!