Sunday 27 March 2016

Day 6- coffee plantation, Equal opportunity employer, Granada, final dinner

Our last day has been a whirlwind. We started by driving up the side of a volcano where a coffee plantation is located. Afterwards, we went to Cafe Sonrisas. It's a restaurant and hammock shop that employs those who are hearing impaired. We also we were fortunate enough to meet Mark, who is riding his bike around the world and is currently in Nicaragua. His goal is to raise $50,000, and he has $15,000 to go. Afterwards, we had time to explore the colonial city of Granada. It was quite festive being Easter in a mainly Catholic country. It was great exposure to the culture. We then had our last supper with musical accompaniment. Afterwards, we had some time to talk about how the trip was an awesome, life changing experience and how, as a group, we accomplished so much and bonded so well. 


Saturday 26 March 2016

Day 5- work and play

We went to El Trapiche for our last day of service at the community. Once again, the kids worked very hard and had a great attitude. The kids made a significant impact with the work they accomplished. We then went to a look out over Lake Apoyo. Lastly, we went to a artisan market to buy some souvenirs (even in Nicaragua we are wearing green and gold).
  






Friday 25 March 2016

Day 4- Work Site

After breakfast we went to the work site where we started the day with a meeting with a women's group who make necklaces and the like to help their families make a living. We then worked hard painting and preparing the site for the addition to the school. The kids are working really hard and staying positive. Their teamwork is amazing, but perhaps they are getting too comfortable with one another, as evidenced below. On the way home we stopped at a lookout that has a view of the volcano. Another fantastic day. 

Thursday 24 March 2016

Day 3- beach, community visit, and pottery workshop

We had a great day. We went to a collapsed volcanic crater lake, which was beautiful. We had lunch there and then went to the community that our fundraising efforts have gone towards. We then went to a pottery school, where individuals learn to make it through traditional methods. The students also got to try their hand at it. Just a side note: there was a radioactive spider at the pottery school that bit me and has given me super powers.



Wednesday 23 March 2016

Day 2- Market and work site

We had a great second day on the ground . After breakfast we went to a market to understand the challenge of having $1 per day for food. My group (Ayla, Kyra W, Jessica, and Brittney) were able to buy a cucumber, bag of rice,  2 carrots and a bag of mystery fruit. It was a great experience to create empathy. We then went to the village and excavated a work site and painted. 


Tuesday 22 March 2016

First full day

Our first day consisted of getting accustomed to our accommodations, a team building activity, visiting the community, and a Spanish lesson coupled with a simulation. We will have more photos of the community as we develop our relationship with the community members. The kids are all asking to go to bed at 8:30.



First night

Our accommodations are great. It's like a mansion with several rooms, a great outdoor space, and a pool (but it's empty). The kids were up early on account of a barking dog, road noise, and Mr. Lockhart snoring like a chainsaw.