When I signed up to be El Líder Del Día for poverty day I knew the was going to be hard, but I didn’t realize just how hard and emotionally draining it would be. We didn’t get to sleep in much today, since we woke up at six. After our breakfast, we had an academic seminar on poverty and the contributing factors. Around 8:10 we left for Las Hormiguitas (little ants), an organization that works with children who work on the street. There we listened to Profe. Sandra talk more about the organization and introduced her team. There we were also shown the mobile schools that Las Hormiguitas brings to several locations near Matagalpa to help bring education to the impoverished children there. After her speech, we headed out to the dump. Our bus ride to the dump was in complete silence to help us prepare for what we were going to see there. Right before we got to the dump, Alex, our program coordinator, gave a speech about his first time at the dump and how it affected him.
When we got off the bus at the dump, the first thing that hit me was the smell. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be but it was still horrible. The second thing I noticed was the people who were digging through the garbage in the distance. As we approached where the mobile school was set up, we encountered children who worked there at the dump along side their parents. All of us had to take a couple of minutes to take in that these people, these children, have to work in these conditions. A couple of us cried or came close to it. After we all calmed down enough, we began to socialize. Some of us played soccer with some of the kid while others had conversations with those kids who were learning. There was this one girl who was learning English at the school she attended (she worked at the dump along side her parents when she wasn’t in school). A group of us were talking to her in English and helping her learn new words. She was so happy and was laughing, even though her family made a living digging through people’s trash. Every kid who came up to us was smiling and happy. It is so amazing that these kids can still be so happy while having to deal with the conditions of where they work. This experience has moved all of us to be more grateful for what we have and realize that change needs to happen. Today we all came face to face with the poverty we have only learned about through the television or other sources like National Geographic, and it was one of the most powerful experiences we have had so far on this trip. It could be the most powerful one some people will have here.
After the dump we returned to the hotel and took showers. We then proceeded to our self reflection seminar where people who wanted too could discuss what they saw and how they felt about it. This was followed by a delicious lunch and some free time. Since we have more English tutoring tomorrow we worked on our lesson plans and once those were finished we had 2 more hours of free time. Around 5 pm we began to plan our CAP project and came up with 3 ideas. These ideas will be presented to the Hope Project on Thursday. Tomorrow we will have an exciting day learning about education here in Nicaragua. ¡Hasta Mañana!
Jordyn, my heart is bursting with love and pride! I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to see humans beings having to live every day in those conditions. It is wonderful that you all interacted with these families in such a difficult environment. Hopefully your compassion and kindness stays with them just as I am sure that what you saw today will stay with you for a very long time. Te amo mucho chica
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jordyn. I bet the experiences that you all had today will stay with you for a lifetime. Reading what you wrote almost brought me to tears too. You’re right, it’s one thing to read about things like what you saw, and something totally different to experience it for sure. We are beyond fortunate in the United States and your posts are great reminders to me about how I need to look for ways to help others when I can. Hope Jasmine is feeling better too!
What a powerful experience to have been exposed to. One that will leave a lasting impression on all who participated. Thank you for sharing. Whenever I think I may be having a ¨problem¨ with what to wear, what to eat or what to do for fun, thinking about your day at the dump should keep these ¨problems¨in perspective.
Hi Davis Sr High Global Glimpers,
I told you this would be an incredible experience. I am so thrilled to read your blogs and beam because I personally know how much you are learning each day. Give a special HELLO to by buddy Alex. I am so glad you get to know him also. Have a wonderful day…Courtenay
Courtenay! Thank you for guiding your students through out the year to prepare them for this amazing trip! We are lucky to have you. Nicaragua misses you!
Hi Courtenay,
Thanks for checking in on the DHS Global Glimpsers and thank you again for all your hard work in helping them prepare for this wonderful experience!
My eyes welled up with tears as I envisioned the children and parents working at the dump. It’s hard to fathom the lives they live until you’re fully immersed into the community. Seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, and walking a day in their shoes will produce the compassion that compels you all to action. Wow, what an incredible OPPORTUNITY.
ALthough I miss you, Kristen, I’m so glad that this is how you’re spending part of your summer. I can’t wait to hear about everything! ❤️
Even though it proved to be an emotionally difficult day, I’m sure the lasting impact it will have on you far exceeds the sadness you witnessed. Very well written, Jordyn. An impressive group of compassionate, caring and thoughtful young adults you are! Hope you’re feeling better, Jas! Can’t wait to talk to you again, Hannah. Love you.
The experience that you all shared today, I’m sure was emotionally and psychologically complex. The compassion you felt in your heart for the families that live in those conditions, mixed with the sadness of the reality that exists in this world that we share must’ve been difficult for many of you to process emotionally. There is a huge sense of pride I feel for Lily and I’m sure all of your friends and family feel the same you all of you. You could’ve all chosen to do something different with your summer vacation. Something mainstream and relaxing. Instead you’ve all chosen to push your comfort levels, minds and hearts to grow as individuals. It definitely puts into perspective what is truly a need verses a want in our everyday lives. Every aspect from having breakfast yesterday can be seen in a different light, as I’m sure you may have wanted something else to eat but were only given beans and tortillas as an option. This gives light into the truth of what is needed to survive and what is wanted to survive. Protein and carbs are essential nutrients needed for sustaining life. In what form these nutrients are available to us varies tremendously across cultures and socio-economic status. Luxury and convenience is something so easily overlooked sometimes in our modern American culture and can be just as easily mistaken as a need. The everyday struggles of the people you are encountering will forever change your lives on many different levels. Your willingness to expose yourselves to the suffering that exist in the world will empower you to seek the changes within to create the changes outside oneself to improve life for all living beings. May you all walk a little taller, wiser and braver with experiences you share along this journey you take together.