Hello, my name is Jonathan. I came from San Marin High in Novato, California. This city is about an hour away from San Francisco, for those who do not know. I am part of the STEM program there and I am really glad for this opportunity to be in Esteli with this amazing group. I did this trip partly because my sister did this trip and really liked it three years ago. But I mostly went because I wanted to learn how to be a better person by learning about global problems. I really enjoyed this experience and being El Lider Del Dia.
Today was Global Business day. We woke up at 7:00 and prepared our dirty laundry to get washed. Then at 8:00 we ate breakfast at Buffet Esteli, which was a quesadilla and some rice. Afterwords, we came back and had an energizer of the human knot. We split up into two groups and tried to get out of it twice. Shout out to my group for doing the first try in about 15 seconds!!!! But then we got stuck and had to quit during the second try :(.
After that, we had an academic seminar on the troubles of small businesses in Nicaragua. During this seminar, we read an article that basically showed four problems that businesses have in developing countries. What I learned from this talk was that we need to change ourselves and our small groups before we can change our government’s ideas.
Next we made final preparations for our CAP project. This was fun because a couple of us had to go shopping for supplies and we had to fit 6 people in two corollas. Afterwords we had lunch at the Buffet and then we prepared for our tutoring lessons and have free time until 2:30, which was our field trip to Casa Alegria, which is a small cigar factory. It was fun because they served coffee and we saw how they make cigars. Next we went to English Tutoring and afterwords dinner at the Buffet. That was basically our day today.
This was not an exciting day like yesterday or the day before, but it was still fun when we visited the factory. Everyone woke up after this and was ready for tutoring. I really liked being the leader and I am sad that we only have about a week before we leave.
Remember that you can post comments on this blog and that we read them out during every nightly meeting. This trip has been fun and I’ll really miss it.
The next leaders you will hear from are Gaelle and Tommy and they will talk all about our first day of our CAP project.
Good night everyone,
Jonathan Stickle
Great job, Stickle! If you scored a cigar for me today, I won’t complain (jk). So have you guys in Esteli considered the relationship between money and satisfaction in life through some of your adventures down there? Do the people you’ve met down there enjoy a great sense of dignity in life without material possessions? Do you know people in the U.S. who think material possessions bring them meaning/satisfaction in life but they’re actually quite miserable? Anyway, great to see you’re digging below the surface in your adventures down there. Keep it up! Stay classy.
Hello all. Just wanted to reach out and connect. So what was the human knot? Anyway, I am glad you are all enjoying this experience. Elijah, you know I miss my one and only. Not only the best son I could ask for but you are also my buddy. I not only miss my child, but the person you are. Keep up all the good work. You are all making all of us back home so very proud.
Jenell
Wow what a day. I’m so in awe how each of you are experiencing this trip. Thank you for always sharing and working together. Hi Ang we miss u. Hi my Anisa Pisa Mommie loves u and miss u. Congrats everyone for committing to this trip and leaving a wonderful impression on the people u met in Nicaragua. Can’t wait to see you when u get home Anisa. I know u are leaving few hours later for Las Vegas and basketball tournament. I will make sure u have new cards. Njoy everyone and thanks chaperones for supporting this kids. Love nichelle
Hello Clara and everyone, learning about how we are all connected in business and the world is the most important key. I talked to another Longfellow parent who has been to Nicaragua 3 times through his university for community projects. the tobacco can be used for other purposes other than smoking; however, the cigars make the most money for the local economy and it’s owners of the factories- the product that leads to long term health problems. If the world would be willing to value and pay more for the tobacco’s other purposes then we ALL would be healthier. I would be intrigued to learn how the tobacco farmers keep the land fertile since tobacco drains a lot of the nutrients in the soil. That was one of the downfalls of the USA tobacco belt in the South. they finally learned to let the lands go fallow and sow plants instead of tobacco to return the nutrients to the soil. Something to ponder on how to make a product that is imbedded in the lives and culture of an area or country that is a source of pride and jobs that can be harmful to health and switch it for good without damaging the economy.
as for the tutoring, you are all making an impact on each other’s lives. you will remember the kids and they will remember you.
blessing to all of you.
clarita , we miss you but again, I am so happy to know you are growing and thriving as a person on this trip. give hugs to Gab, Elisha and hello to angelia.
lots of hugs, Mom