Hola from Esteli!
My name is Resha Panda and today I was Lider Del Dia for the last day of our CAP (Community Action Project), which benefitted Fundacion Cristal, a self-sustainable organization that priorities inclusion for students with learning disabilities (for more information about the school and our project in specific, please refer to the previous two blogs from the nights before). Today, our delegation successfully completed our three-day long project of labeling and restoring the plants in their community garden, as well as the school itself, and it was definitely incredibly satisfying after watching the project come together at the end. After pushing through the last day, our CAP project was something all of the Glimpsers can say was a lot of work, but with a very fulfilling ending.
To give a brief description of the activities of the day, the Glimpsers started off with a 7:00 wakeup call and were treated with a breakfast which consisted of gallo pinto, fried plantains, and sausage. Afterwards, we got onto the bus filled with excitement (even though it was quite literally pouring) to finish our project, because today was the day where we would truly see if it turned out to be a success. After reaching the Foundation at around 10, (with quick stops for varnish and a piñata for the students to celebrate the completion of the project) we all got to work decorating tires, painting and labeling signs, creating a more decorative center garden, and paving a pathway for the students to walk, surrounded by the decorated tires. Lunch was at 12, packed generously by the hostel, and then we all continued to work (mainly on finishing all the multi-colored signs) in the pouring rain. At around 3:00, we were able to watch the students enjoy, and quite literally, fight for the candy in the piñata, which was truly a heart-warming experience to see their happiness. Once completely finishing the project at around 4:00, the Glimpsers headed back to the hotel, where we got ready for our English tutoring for that night, as well as feasted on Nicaraguan bean enchiladas. English tutoring was also a well-spent two hours with our respective classes, and the day came to an end with our self-reflection and nightly meeting.
One of the things that truly resonated with our delegation today is the effect we are able to have on students that we have never even met before, and how we potentially changed their lives for the better. Their innocence and pure joy of watching us trying to restore one of the areas they spend a lot of their time in is truly inspirational, as well as the fact they were also well-invested in trying to help us, even though they did not have a clear idea of what we were doing. One personal story that really stuck with me was towards the end of the day, when I was carrying approximately 10 signs down to the garden, and two little girls who were playing on the swings ran over and gave me a hug, and offered to help me carry the signs down to the garden. Little warm actions such as this makes the experience as a whole truly worthwhile, because even children who have not completely developed in terms of maturity due to their age are able to appreciate the work these strangers are doing for them. In addition to the gratitude shown by these children, their energy and joyfulness during the execution of the project, as well as the celebration of the piñata, was also an experience that made the project truly feel like a success, knowing that these children would be better equipped for the future than they ever were before.
As LDD (Lider Del Dia), it was a challenge to properly communicate between the several different groups who were working on completing separate parts of the project. It was also a really great learning experience, due to the fact that I was able to organize and then implement plans and ensure that our time was being used properly, especially since it was the last day we had to work on this specific project. I learned that if I want to be, I can be assertive; however, I can simultaneously not be confident with what I am trying to express. This showed me that as a leader I need to be more self-assured with my ideas and actions. Today was a really great day for me to be LDD because it incorporated the right amount of challenge with a huge reward, and it was truly an amazing, yet stressful, experience I can learn from in the future.
So, ultimately, our CAP project was a success! WOOHOO! Thank you for reading today’s blog and make sure you stay in tune for information about our Free Day tomorrow (blog written by Mikayla.) Keep your phones near you all of tomorrow, we have a chance to call home! Can’t wait to see you all very soon!
Resha 🙂
Great job on the blog Resha! Thanks for sharing the wonderful experience of completing your CAP project it truly must have been an awesome feeling to see the kids so happy:-))
It is interesting to me that many of you have expressed that communication has been the biggest challenge of the LDD:-) It is wonderful to see that you all are gaining insight into a very important aspect of leadership that most people don’t learn about until much later in their lives (sometimes after facing great hardship in their careers or personal lives)!!
Hope you all have a fabulous free day tomorrow – you have certainly earned it:-)
Anya – we can’t wait to have you back – I’m very much missing my vacation packing consultant, fashion guru, shopping buddy and sweet little baby all rolled into one:-))!!!
Congratulations to all of you! You all worked really hard and so proud of it! It’s so very inspiring to just read the blog, can imagine how being in person and experiencing it first hand would be! So proud , great job GG1 team! Hats off to everyone.
Tej, hope you enjoyed your day ! Take care and enjoy your well deserved free day!! Looking forward to hear from you.
Love
Mom
Wonderful news Resha!
Congratulations everyone for completing the CAP. It takes planning and perseverance to be successful. Nice to the little ones having a blast.
Tejas, Call us. Happy Shopping, cannot wait to see the mementos!
All, Have fun on your free day, well deserved.
Love
Appa
Hi Zach,
Congratulations on completing your CAP! A great job by everyone. The signs are beautiful. I think my favorite picture is the little one in pink attacking the pinata. Too cute! Hope you have a good time on your free day tomorrow.
<3
p.s. Weather's gotten quite toasty. To quote Bloo, "It's hot and it's hot and it's hot in Topeeeka!"
Awesome blog Resha!! And congratulations to all of you on the CAP. Pat yourself (and each other) on the back for a job well done!! So proud of all of you on this accomplishment.
Alison, our phones are fully charged and we are waiting for your call tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear your voice. Missing you so much. Love, hugs and kisses, Mama & Dada
Congratulations Esteli 1 team. Really proud of you all for completing your project. Great blog Resha. So descriptor
The kids are definitely going to enjoy it for a very long time. And I’m sure they’ll think if you guys when they are there.
Glad you guys are getting a free day today. Im sure going to have another fun day.
Rishi please do call. Mornings we will be home, but in the afternoon we will going to the airport to pick up Masi (Aunty) so try ringing on one of our cell phones.
Cant wait to see you soon. House is too quiet without you.
Love
Mommy, Papa, Shaan and Anjali. xxx
Oops! Typo * descriptive.
Bravo and congratulations to all of you in completing the CAP project and helping the community starting at such a tender age. Keep up the good work and I can sense the elation and happiness at the fruition of your successful project completion. Love you all and very proud of all of you!
Resha- Loved reading your blog and seeing the pictures. I know that you are assertive and was glad to know that you realized having a clear vision in life as makes it a lot easier.
We are in transit today and flying out from Lima to SFO. Not sure when you will get this message. If possible can you call us between 4.30 to 9.30 pm EST as we will be in Miami. Would love to hear your voice before I see you this Thursday. Enjoy your free day sweetheart. Bring back lots of pictures, positive memories and experience and your smile?
Thanks Cyndi and Melissa for taking such good care of our children during this trip.
Looking forward to the final blog tomorrow from Mikayla to know more about your fun day!
Great to read your blog Resha. Loved your self reflection after the completion. That’s how we all improve when we allow ourselves to learn.
The story of the little kids running over, helping you and giving you a hug was heart warming. Looking at the completed project with all that went into it, it feels like you all did weeks worth of work in 3 days. Can relate to the joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Have fun at the free day. Do some shopping and buy yourself something to hang in your room to remind yourself of all the fun, learnings and friendships.
I will probably come to pick you up at the airport on Thursday. Looking forward to seeing you and giving you a hug.
Papa
Hi Kenna! Congratulations!! What a truly rewarding project with satisfying memories to last a lifetime! You all should be so very proud of what you’ve accomplished and humbled by the love and appreciation of those you have been helping. Have fun on your free day. You all deserve the break after your hard work.Enjoy! Love you. xoxo
Awesome garden! Nothing like a feeling of reward after such hard work. I am glad u have that feeling from the least expected, little children. Wonderful feeling.
Vivian, I told Vicky to stay tuned for your call today.
Have a fantastic free day! Counting down the days to see you.
Love,
Mommy
Hi Seth,
Congratulations to all for completing this awesome project! I’m sure all your hard work will be greatly appreciated by the students and the community!!!
Today sounded like a very full day. I hope you guys get some rest.
Looking forward to the next update!!!
Manley
p.s. Jess says HI!
Hello Jessica!
So good to hear your voice today. Only two more days left to eat rice and beans :). We’ll make sure you get plenty more when you return.
See you soon!!!
xoxo D
Hi Alison
Looks like you are having a great time, hopefully you are learning lots! From the pictures and the blog the trip really seems like a great experience! Don’t forget about us back in the states!
Love
Tejass
Lmao I’m surprised this isn’t Nigeria I thought you went on a trip to visit your cousins! Well still looks like you are having a great time hope it’s not to hot out there bc I don’t want you getting too dark!
HI Alison,
I’ll tell Brycen about the key chain. We miss you and see you very soon!
Love,
Your sister
Dear Alison,
It was so wonderful to hear from you. It’s so different here without you and we can’t wait for you to get back and tell us all about your adventures. Brycen and Jocelyn miss you too and I can’t wait for you to show Brycen what you got him. ???
Missing you and sending you our love and kisses,
Mama and Dada, Jocelyn and Brycen
Alison,
CMY!! So so sorry I missed your call again :(( I think your mom told you but camp is this week so I was probably running around doing something when you called. Please have MERCY on me (Shawn reference ;). Congrats on your hard work paying off in your CAP project?Missing you like crazy but I know you’re out there changing the world!! I’ll see you very soon!
Lots of love, Amanda
PS- a week & one day until our favorite show starts!!
Jack,
Did you call me today? Good to know that all of you have doing very wonderful jobs.
Congratulations on completing the project and making a lasting difference in everyone’s lives there! They will undoubtedly remember you for the rest of their lives! We are all so very proud of the selfless work all of you have done over the past two weeks!
Missing all of you! Be good!
Congratulations to all on the completion of the CAP project. Love seeing the pictures! You have all helped in changing the lives of those sweet children forever 🙂