Hello everyone! Today was a very eventful day in Estelí Nicaragua as we concluded our CAP for the Ecokids of Mujeres Ambientalistas. After breakfast at buffet Estelí we bussed over to Mujeres Ambientalistas to add the finishing touches to our project, painting the tables, chairs, and hopscotch and decorating the perimeters of a few trees with recycled glass bottles. Throughout the day we faced a few problems like getting a little too messy with paint and realizing we forgot to buy paint thinner. Sean and Fran saved the day by picking up paint thinner and lunch to clean up and refuel before we finished painting the Ecokids’ new and beautiful meeting area.
The ecokids were very eager to play on there new equipment but we had to compromise since the concrete wasn’t fully dry. Instead some kids helped paint the tires around the hopscotch, tables and chairs.
Painting the hopscotch.
Meanwhile part of our group worked on decorating around the trees with recycled bottles. crystal used a huge pole with a sharp end to break up dirt that Bryan would shovel out of the way so they could place the bottles around the base of the trees.
Bryan gives pointers to Crystal on using the iron spike to dig holes to place the bottles to outline two of the plants near the new meeting area.
After three days working on our CAP we finished the Ecokids’ new meeting area and hopscotch and decorated around the surrounding trees. Although we faced some challenges with communication and logistics that didn’t allow us to go through with the tetherball, seeing the Ecokids so excited about what we built made up for it. Along the way we learned a lot about working in a group and helping people. Leeza pointed out that helping others is beneficial on both ends because of the satisfaction we get out of finishing the projects for the kids and how happy everyone is with the result. As a group we learned new skills like mixing concrete and how to communicate, be attentive to everyone’s needs and like Clara said “trust that everyone’s ideas are valuable”. As Angelic pointed out this project taught us to take action to get where we want instead of just wishing for it.
Thank you all for reading and we will be home soon!
We want to give a special birthday shout out to Humberto, our PC. We were happy to celebrate his 25th birthday with him.
Francesca.
I just miss you so much.
❤
Wow, sounds like that final touch up is not as easy as we normally think but it is very important for a project. Really impressed about what you’ve learned – from painting, mixing concrete to planning and executing a real project as a team. Can’t agree with you more on the comments you made.
Also, the tire tables and chairs are so creatively designed and are so fun for being a meeting area. The hopscotch is so nicely decorated. Very thoughtful and high standard!
Hope you have more fun for the rest of the time there. Again, stay health and be safe.
Dear Amanda
Congrats you guys, you put a lot of hard work into your playground and it looks great. Really miss you Amanda, not sure how I can get through these last few days. I’ve been taking care of grandma every day for 3 weeks. How am alive?! ANYWAYS rest up and see you soon. I’m starting to feel like an only child.
Love, Gabby and Pumpkin
Looks like you all did a great job with your CAP. Ally, now that you are experienced with this project, perhaps I could hire you to do something at my house. Miss you and looking forward to seeing you soon. Love, Aunty Donna
All I can say is 3 MORE DAYS!!! I miss u LEEEEEZA everyone does 🙂 Will b at SFO with a big RED WHITE & BLUE sign. Love, Mom
Good work Team Esteli2 !! Can you believe your time in Nicaragua is nearly coming to a close?? Can you believe you have experienced so much in such a short time?? Hold these memories of your encounters with the people of Nicaragua and with each other close in your hearts so they can keep teaching you as you make your way in the world. May they continue to guide you as you grow into adult citizens del mundo!
CLARA my button, it was SOOO Wonderful to finally hear your voice on the phone today. I’ very glad you are feeling better and are still participating in the group activities. I’m glad Cameron was able to give you a broad update on all the news you’ve been missing. I guess the biggest news has been the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same sex marriages for the whole country. It truly is a historic ruling and cause for great celebration!! (Still there is much work on full equality and social justice that you and your generation will need to carry on.) The women’s world cup soccer semi-finals will be on Tues 6/30 and Wed 7/1 so by the time you come home on Wed night we will know who will be playing in the finals this weekend. (Good memories of watching the world cup with vacations with the Jensens!!) Looking forward to making new memories with you. See you Wednesday night – xoxoxoox
The playground looks good! Glad everyone was able to work together and make something really cool with the Ecokids. Enjoy your last couple days in Esteli!
Not sure if it is just me, but I couldn’t open your “Free Day” post properly today. I could see the title from the index page but when clicking on it, someone else post was opened…
But just want to say we are so glad that you had such a wonderful trip in Nicaragua and that you did so well completing it.
Have a nice and safe trip back home. Look forward to seeing you at SFO.
Love
Yes, it seems that there is indeed a glitch! Bonnie’s post is linking to Kevin’s (a current alumni) post from two years ago. Thanks for pointing this out to us— we’ll try to fix it from this end and get Esteli’s post up as soon as possible!
Thanks for the reply and hope it can be corrected easely.
I just checked it again and now Bonnie’s post is linking to another post from John…..
Will come back later.
Thanks.
Hi Glempsers I see you guys have been enjoying what you have been doing there.Jenny ya tu tiempo se te esta terminando en Esteli Nicaragua y aqui en casa te estamos esperando aun que claro ya savemos que nomas llegas y te vas a ir para Mexico, saludos para todos te esperamos mija tu Mama Maria y tu Papa Jeronimo