Anticipation rang in the air as plans for this day were revealed. This morning, we reviewed the words of Confucius on the topic of poverty. The quote read, “In a badly governed country, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a well governed society, wealth is something to be ashamed of”. We were asked to relate this quote to the statistical poverty rates of Nicaraguan rural areas and its current government. This sparked questions of what makes a successful government, and how this correlates to poverty. We never expected what this poverty would look like.
The answer came in our main activity for the day. This was the visit to the Dump. On the bus, as we drove past the colorful vibrancy of the city, we were met with the invasion of flies and an overwhelming smell. This provoked many of us to cover our mouths with our jackets and shirts. After my asking of silence, the students were pulled towards the sight through the bus windows. The continued image of shack houses, unleveled dirt, and dusty air forced us to embrace the forthcoming experience. The deeper we drove into the community, the more bumpy and ridged the ride felt. We had to hold onto our seats in order to gain balance on maintain stability during the ride. I looked over to my peers on the bus, and we all shared the same collective look of awakening. Before meeting the inspirational Francesa or touring the dump, we knew as a group we were going to be forever changed from this experience.
Getting off the bus, we encountered littered rocky paths that proved difficult to travel, even with the comfort of hiking boots. A long sobering walk led us to the home of Francesa. She is a 75 year old woman who welcomed us with warmth and smiles, a true beautiful sign of hospitality. She explained that her daily routine started from early in the morning when she would walk down the path to wash clothing. She often did not have anything to eat. She relied heavily on her children in order to provide for her. The most inspiring thing about her is that even though she was surrounded by garbage, hunger, and sickness, she was able to laugh and joke. She evoked warmth that I will never forget and will always cherish. She inspired all of us to be thankful for what we have and to actively desire to take action in the world.
After the emotional, but reflective conversation with Donna Francesca, a tour from her daughter Francesca had been planned. But, Francesca was experiencing stomach pains so we had to experience the dump without her firsthand explanation. Following tearful goodbyes and heavy hearts we headed off for our first view of the dump. We boarded the bus again unbeknownst to the working conditions of the Francesca, the adults and the children. While traveling, we experienced intense turbulence in addition to a plethora of flies that resulted in swapping and discomfort. Getting off the bus, our mouths and noses were again covered to shield ourselves from the odor and flies. The first initial response was shock and disbelief. What we saw were towering heaps of garbage and smoking manure. There were tents on top of the dumps that people lived in. The choking smell of burning garbage caused my peers to close their eyes and cough. The more we walked, the more trapped we felt in the mountain range of trash. While we were departing, we saw workers, who also lived in the surrounding town, chasing the newly arrived garbage trucks. They wanted to be the first ones to get the recyclables. That image lingered in our minds on the sobering ride home.
Self-Reflection was a complicated time. All of us were so raw from that experience. There were confessions of guilt and deep sorrow. There also was a passionate need to do something. Everyone was stating ideas on how to fix Donna Francesca’s situation, or how to change the conditions of the surrounding town. Of course, many of these suggestions proved to be irrational or unsustainable, but that is not the point. The point is that we felt strongly about what we experienced at the dump. We wanted to take action to fix the problems we saw. Also we were asking a lot of questions. How many towns resembled the one we visited today? How were people working and still in the conditions they were in? Was the government aware of this situation?
As a group, we decided to incorporate what we saw and the emotions we felt for the renovation of the children’s park we’ll be doing our community action project in. Our mural’s focus will be on recycling and the realities of the dump. We will make people aware and we will make a change. And, hopefully, it will have a lasting effect on the community long after we’re gone.
This brought tears to my eyes!
It’s interesting also to think about how that quote relates to America. Many people think of America as a “well governed society” yet there is both a lot of wealth and a lot of poverty… I wonder if there is also a lot of shame? I wish I could have been there for this discussion! It sounds very important. Sending love to all you glimpsers – those I know well from BCS and those who I am starting to know virtually! I can’t wait to hear more.
A humbling experience this must have been!
I am sure it was a wonderful experience speaking to Doña Francesca. I would love to meet her in person after watching Dreaming Nicaragua.
This is truly a life lesson for all to learn, not just for u glimpsers , all of us who just take things for granted. I enjoy ur daily blogs . Keep up the good work . God bless, stay safe . I miss u sooooo much alexis.
What a powerful day you must have had with Francesca. I am glad the blog is capturing so many vivid moments from your journey so that you can return to them often, especially after you return home. How is the experience changing your values? What take-away message do you want to make sure you never forget from your time overseas? Take care of yourselves. Can’t wait to hear more. So proud that you are representing your school, your city, and your generation so well.
Yes, Francesca is all around, but mostly we do not see. The beauty hidden in what we term a dump. Keeps me thinking about our drive for more, to fill… what? I love the thoughts you are capturing in this blog. Can’t wait to hear how you felt when you first land and walk through the airport. Here in NYC? Miami? Tale care all.
This truly sounds like an amazing and worthwhile experience. I can’t even imagine how being confronted with this unfortunate and preventable reality affected you guys. In these moments it is easier to look at one’s own life and feel grateful. In an experience like this we can find perspective. I look forward to hearing more about this when you guys get back and I also look forward to how you will explain this experience to your peers. It reminded me of a quote from Mother Teresa: “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” It is easy to think of these great injustices as foreign or far away or happening to faceless people we don’t know; however, it seems you have come to the heart of the matter. I hope you bring that humanity back home with you.
Wow! What a true journalist your turning out to be. I could feel all the emotions in this article. I pictured everything clearly. This trip and journey is so amazing and will teach you everything I was trying to say,by stressing the importance helping people. I’m extremely proud of each and everyone of you and I’m certain that you all will make a big difference in the world.
Love you guys, Twins Mom
What a moving story. Sometimes these intense experiences remind us what we know on a gut level: in the midst of extreme despair, the human spirit can stay alive, and, humans must take care of one another — through family, community, government — no one is exempt from that responsibility. I’m curious how your group of soon-to-be-adults are connecting their experiences with how their citizenship and collective voice can make real change — in Nicaragua and at home in the U.S. Thanks for sharing this story with us.
Mikai, you ask such deep questions as usual. I am curious if Ms. McClish has mentioned the benefits of composting to you? It seems to only make sense given what you and Samantha have written about recycling. Certainly, the temperature in Nicaragua is hot enough. Also, composted manure can be sold to organic farmers, landscapers, and topsoil companies. This would reduce the smell, improve the beauty of parks, and provide some money to the people of Nicaragua. What are your thoughts on that idea? On another note, your writing has transported me to this land. I am so proud of what you are learning.
Mikai, you are a great writer, thanks for sharing your blog. I am so proud of you guys for taking on these experiences. Be safe and keep the blogs coming!
I felt as if I was there with you all throughout your experience. I love that you wrote “there was a passionate need to do something.” I think this is one of the most important lessons you all can leave your trip with-and think about what that means to bring those sentiments back to Brooklyn, and even further, how you can all try and impact our world. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead. You are all inspiring!
To Mikai & all the glimpsers: I’m so excited about the experiences you’re having, and the subsequent growth that goes with it. Thank you for so diligently sharing everything with us. I look forward to seeing a few college essays on this trip! 😉
I’m proud of all of you for embracing these challenges. Can’t wait to hear your stories in person!!
See you soon!
Mikai, you have captured the despair and confusion you must feel when faced with the deplorable conditions you have witnessed. When we consider the relative nearness of Nicaragua to our own communities in New York City, we must ask what are the root causes of these conditions and why are they perpetuated in spite of the material wealth that exists in the world. In addition, we must then also consider how these conditions push people to desperate places, making them willing to take perilous journeys to seek better lives. Eradicating poverty everywhere must be the mission of all of us who seek a better world for all humanity. Keep writing and keep broadening your horizons. You have a voice that will be heard!
This is an incredible and life changing experience for these kids. We miss you and love you Juliza my darling.
Mikai, Your article has such dept. It really put things into prospective for you, your fellow students and for your readers as well. I can tell that you would be forever change by this experience. It is my hope that you,your sister Mikaela and the other students will return with a greater sense of purpose and direction as you shift into adulthood,college life and beyond. Job well done!
Mikai,
I am so amazed by your experience and ability to think deeply and productively about the lives of people you encounter. I know your mom (who was a bit worried about your making this trip btw) is so proud of you and Twinnie. You guys are turning into such amazing young women. I’m so glad you’ve had this experience.
This Summer I have been noticing the unthoughtful buying of unnecessary things by my fellow Americans who even don’t seem to have a lot of wealth, but just need to keep buying and buying. All this stuff ends up somewhere. I wish people would be more simple. Thanks for seeing this first hand and reporting back to us.