La Locura: October 2011

No biggie really, I just was traveling through the capital city for a dinner with the country director and was put up in a hotel with not only air conditioning, but hot water. Really, I am just like everyone in my site, I wake up in the same cement block houses and sleep under the same zinc roof, but I leave every weekend for an exuberant weekend fueled by lavish hotels and imported food. Really, I mean isn't that your weekend, don't you just decide to hop on a bus bounce down to the coast and spend the day tanning and riding waves? I thought everyone just picked up after class and headed out to discover a 20m waterfall or head out to climb a volcano? Wait... you mean this isn't everyone's life, you must just be talking about other people in my town... no you are serious, Americans don't do that frequently as well either? Huh, well I'll be damned; I guess I should just hop on down and meet with one of the local NGO directors or better yet just walk on in and meet with the mayor... without an appointment. Now you have to be joking, locals can't just push aside the meetings of directors because you want to talk about the weather or sports? Well they must at least be able to show up at any house in town unannounced and get a free meal? Nooo, I don't believe it, they can't, what is this disastrous life you speak of? Out with it now; you mean there are people out there who are suffering, can't travel to anywhere in the country at the drop of a hat, and are intimidated or inhibited from talking with organization directors in an informal manner? Lunacy I decree, how dare you tempt to shatter the carefully crafted I have expanded upon my life.

Wait Wait... before you dismiss me as a bigot and a braggart I must come forward. I can't do this, talking so pompously just isn't my style. I can sense the sense of disgust coursing through your veins. Really, I am not like that, but I was trying to present a comical opening to what is a rather egotistical article and self-presenting idea.

I am almost done with my service and closing a 27 month chapter or my life. I am coming back to the United States and will have to say good bye to a lifestyle I have come to embrace and depart from many of the friendships I have made in my town and with other volunteers. As much as I have immersed myself in my new country, I will be plucked out and be told to catalog my memories and move back into the everyday flow of the United States. Quiet now, we don't want to hear about how much we indulge in petty merchandise or have a maniacal desire to spend our ways into debt. Yes, isn't it cute that you lived in a country without central air or hot water... shhhh, stop mentioning that all our meals are overstuffed with calories and foods that are shipped from all corners of the globe. I know I am paying a normal Nicaraguan's monthly salary for this meal, but stop reminding me. In short, yes I am not so sure I am ready to jump back into my old life. Was that politically neutral enough. Did I successfully skirt around giving a straight answer?

So the point of writing all of this. We were in Managua this Friday to give our good bye presentation to the staff. The concept was that it was a celebration for our group to share all of our experiences and accomplishments throughout our two years of service. Originally I was dreading the idea, but in the end it was a lot of fun and impressive to see all that can be accomplished by 14 environment volunteers.

Let's agree on a point, my heavy introduction of sarcasm and irony is a sufficient buffer to distinguish this from shameless gloating. I don't want to come across as vain, but I am proud of all I have done in San Dionisio and I want a place where I can systematically spell out all that has been done in just two years.

- I started a youth soccer league. Wait, the singularity of the word isn't enough; this league was not just a one time thing, but has been going on for two years. We had two complete seasons and the third one has just started up. In San Dionisio there weren't any outlets for youths and the league was immediately embraced. Not only was it a league, but it was constantly adapting and improving. My first attempt was lead by me with an iron-fist... I admit, I micromanaged and was too scared to trust most of my counterparts, but honestly I got better. By the second season I was working with a fully formed director board that was comprised of adults and youth players. We expanded to more teams and divided the league into two age groups. We received donations from the mayor's office for balls and uniforms, I received donations from amazing friends in the States including balls, uniforms, cleats, protectors, and socks. And the best part, the league is still going with absolutely no help from myself.

- With the help of SOCOM and the US Embassy my friend and I started a youth baseball league. We received $2,000 worth of gear including uniforms, helmets, bats, and gloves to create an inter-town league. Later this gear was reused to form a league within San Dionisio and the closer communities.

- I supervised and guided a community group to apply for and write a $5,000 USAID SPA grant for the construction of 20 latrines in their community.

- Assisted and helped at a Youth Leadership Camp for young people from all around Nicaragua.

- Co-taught with 6 elementary multi-grade science teachers in rural communities.

- Taught and fostered friendships with over 200 elementary school students from all over San Dionisio and I have never grown numb to hearing..."adios, profe".

- Working with my friend and high school English teacher in Susuli and the many students I now count as my friends.

- Developing different youth groups that met at my house where I taught how to cook nutritional meals, how to work-out, or just giving them an outlet to play.

- Encouraging and celebrating environmental days by building manualidades or environmental murals.

- Donating over $175 worth of books to the local delegation to help teachers plan for their classes.

- Painting a 10x5ft world map at one of my local schools.

- Building community gardens in all of my elementary schools and including not only the students, but inviting parents and fostering a greater sense of community.

- Making countless friendships and sharing both warm and embarrassing moments with my new family.

- Visiting the departmental hospital and spending time with abused and abandoned children and offering a sense of security at such turbulent times.

- Having such supportive family and friends in the States who sewed handmade dresses for children living in the city dump.

- Working with different NGO's to improve their organization and impact in the community.

- Working three times with a medical group from Gaylord, MI and making new friends and being reminded how giving and caring people are around the world.

- Knowing I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without the limitless support of the other volunteers and friends in Nicaragua. Making new friends I will have for the rest of my life.

And most importantly appreciating the love and support I have felt throughout my service from my family and friends back home. I wouldn't have made it to the end without the calls, emails, and packages. I can't thank you all enough and see all my successes as only being possible thanks to you.

La Locura

Sunday, October 16, 2011

... I'm so Humble

Saturday, October 1, 2011

A Day in the Life...