Hey everybody! My name is Emma and I was Leader of the Day for our first day working on our Community Action Project! We are building an EcoPark for Fundación Cristal’s new school!
Our day started early, waking up at six! After breakfast, we split up into our groups to work on our respective parts of the project. After a lot of planning and budgeting, we headed out into Estelí! It was amazing to see all the people that were willing to help us by donating supplies or providing us discounts! One group collected over forty five tires, while others collected supplies like paints, brushes, wood, tools, etcetera!
Once our shopping time was up, we hopped on a bus to the school to begin a long day of work. A bunch of locals were already there, working hard on preparing the land for us to get started.
My group, which is responsible for “beautification,” got to work right away, with pick axes and shovels, digging a trench that would be the beginning of a wall of tires! It was difficult, but we eventually set into a rhythm. Some picked up the tools and worked as though they had been using them all their lives, while others tried to do the same, but took on more of the appearance of a strange and modern age interpretive dance crew as they theatrically tumbled about. Other crews also set to work, building the foundations for their creations, digging holes and outlining their structures.
Some of the locals that were working with us had brought their kids, and so we set them to work painting tires. We mixed a rainbow of colors, and it was awesome to see the kids’ creativity and excitement. This park is for them, and they can’t wait to see it completed.
By the end of everything, I would argue that Diana and I were a close tie for the title of “Most Covered In Paint.” Mandatory showers would be taken later.
We danced to the music playing and worked until around 5:30, when we finally piled on the bus. We ate dinner once we got back and everyone took their much needed showers. The laundry came back just in time, with creative spellings of our names, including “Mandi,” and “Shopnoire.”
After our nightly meeting, the torch was passed to Irma, who started her day off with a bang, as we went to a fundraiser party that night at Sonati, where we watched local artists perform and relaxed.
Overall, today was a really inspiring day. To see how passionate all the Glimpsers are about their project was really amazing. The community and Global Glimpse really came together to do this project. From Michael running around hunched over all day to “work” with a little girl whose heart he won over, to Austin, repeating “Hola” over and over to a local’s daughter that was fascinated by his inability to produce a perfect Spanish accent, the Glimpsers and the locals created a beautiful work environment. I can’t wait to work more.
We escaped today only mildly wounded, our hands blistered and bloody, and some (sorry mom) really sunburnt shoulders. However, spirits remain high, and if anything, these are just proof of how much love and hard work we are putting into this project.
We will use more sunscreen and gloves tomorrow and will work even harder.
E1C over and out!
P. S.
Lots of love to everyone at home 🙂
Awesome Emma! We are so proud of you. Sounds like today went really well. Keep up the good work everyone. So much fun following your progress. More sunscreen! Love Mom and Dad
Keep up the good work. Looking at the photos, that school really needs a bright play structure. The kids are going to love it!! Hope you’re not too sunburned, Michael. Love, Grandma and Grandpa
The park will be so appreciated by all of the children! Looking forward to seeing the final project. What great work you’re doing. Sorry to hear about all of the blisters and sun burnt shoulders. Keep up the wonderful work and by all means, keep dancing!! Miss you Em’s!! Aunt Maria, Uncle Jimmy, Papa and Grandma
Hey Joe! Just a quick hello to let you know that I was thinking about you and I hope your doing awesome! See you when you get back>
Hello Glimpsers:)
Hi JoeJoe
Sounds like y’all are having a great time, and I applaud your devotion to building the EcoPark! With the collaboration and creative energy going into this project, I am sure it will be a success. I hope you’re all satisfied with your individual contribution, and take time for yourselves, and whip up something fun!
Joe, I love you, and that’s the only gushy thing I will write this time…better?
Everyone stat safe, and
DONT FORGET THE SUNSCREEN.
:-)mmf
STAY safe, of course, not stat… haha
Sounds like you all did a lot of hard work! Stay hydrated while you’re working, and take care of those sunburns. Hope you’re all using sunscreen and insect repellant. We’re looking forward to seeing what the finished EcoPark will look like.
Hi Tara! Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to hear about all your experiences once you’re back!! Love, Dad
Emma: Nicely done! I got a good idea of your day, even down to the sunburned shoulders and paint-removing showers. When you get back, I would like to learn about the use of tires in the foundation wall. How does it work? Maybe tomorrow’s report will explain. Much love, Grandpa.
Great report, Emma. Sounds like an interesting two-way proposition on the learning curve front. You are learning as much from these kids as they are from all of you — and therein lies the magic. Good work! Much love, Granny