Lily and I were up before the sun at 4:45 am and got the rest of our sleepy eyed crew up and at it by 6 (there were quite a few struggles and groans (@Betsy 🙂 but everyone was a good sport and made our jobs easier). A delicious breakfast and mental warm up later, we were off to Colegio Diocesano Inmaculada Concepcion (a private Catholic school for primary and high school) to meet the students were going to be shadowing. We partnered off and I (Kristie) met Lizbeth Rugama (she’s super awesome) and I learned a lot about her school experiences, as well as life in general. The classrooms here are quite different from schools in the U.S., including a general lack of resources and more crowded class sizes. The teachers here do a wonderful job with what they have to work with and the students here are lively and friendly, and when it comes down to it, not that different from us. Everyone had an awesome time, from playing volleyball with all the kids, to just talking to and meeting new people (regardless of language barriers!). Our trip to the school was cut a bit short due to a super cool culture fair they were setting up for (yay more free time!!) and we were off to the hostel for another yummy lunch, down time, and our next activity: Hotel con Corazón!
With the high school principal – Sor Yolanda
Sitting in class
Visiting with elementary school students
After lunch we went to Hotel con Corazón (hotel with a heart). This hotel is a business as well as a charity in Granada. They use the profits from the hotel to fund their education program. In Nicaragua, there’s a huge problem with education. Classes don’t have nearly enough resources and teachers have a hard time keeping up with the curriculum because there’s so much to cover. There’s also a lack of emphasis placed on education by families. This hotel works in rural areas to provide quality education, support teachers, and reward dedicated students with scholarships. We watched a documentary about the state of education in Nicaragua (topped off with a glass of refreshing cantaloupe juice!!!) and got to hear from a panel of speakers (Alex & Marcela) about their work in improving education here. We thanked them for welcoming us into their beautiful hotel (there were swings, hammocks, and life sized chess!!), had a brief intro to our CAP project, trooped our way home for dinner, and left soon again for our first English tutoring (nervously excited!!!) at the same school as this morning and…IT WENT GREAT 🙂 Everyone was on top of it, super prepared, enthusiastic, and had a ton of fun! The students were incredible and amazing and now we’re totally exhausted and are 110% ready for our fans and comfy beds. Another big day tomorrow!
English tutoring!
Big love to all our parents, family, and friends.
Hi family, i’m fine! Mom, don’t be stressed (Love, Lily)
Hi mom! And dad, C, and J (as well as my dear friends) We’re having fun so don’t worry too much 🙂 Lots of love, Kristie
Hi Kristie,
It’s a pleasant surprise to find the personal note at the end of today’s blog entry! The journal details your education day so that we know for a fact that you are having MUCH fun and learning to take more responsibilities as a leader to peers, a volunteer teacher to students in need, and a student of the future to absorb the differences among cultures and countries hoping to inspire and motivate you to give back to the communities and groups in need. What an experience you are having now! Sending love and hugs all the way from the whole family!❤️
Kayla, Sounds like a fun and busy day. Maya wanted me to let you know that the Bachelorette didn’t air this week so no updates. We miss you like crazy! Continue having a great time. We love you!!
What a busy day! We can’t believe Lily got up that early 😉 Great blog post. We love reading about everything you are doing and all the new people you are meeting. Not too stressed, but Ducky is keeping me company. We love you!
Skye ???
Hope English tutoring went well! I look forward to hearing what you do each day in the blog. Sounds like a long day! I wonder how hot it is??
That sounds like Betsy ? Happy to hear that you guys are having a blast. Bets, we miss you like crazy ! Hope you’re enjoying it ! I love you sis
Hi Lily,
Seems like a VERY busy day. The experience you are getting we be one
you will be able to tell your children about! Take full advantage of this
opportunity. I know you will represent us well.
Love,
Nana and papa
We’ll leave you to your own adventure, but are watching the blogs—days sound so interesting and engaging—and following on Google Maps…(I see Kathy’s Waffle House is pretty close). we miss you and glad the group is having fun. xo
Mattias and all Glimpsers,
What a pleasure it is to read this blog and accompany you on your journey of discovery. Every day sounds like the perfect blend of learning and fun. This program is so special. Thank you Global Glimpse! Mattias, we love you!!!! ❤❤❤❤
Hi Lily. Sounds busy but fun. Hope you’re enjoying yourself. Have the mosquitos tried to
Carry you off? Is it pretty hot. Are you in the mountains? Take care and have fun. Love you lots. ?l
Love, Nana
Skye, as it appears you have received your smarts from your mam. I have been reloading the same page waiting for it to update. That might be why your afforded a trip to a foreign land and I’m in warshington. I hope that you are soakin all the land has to offer. I miss you!! check back on the morrow