Hey all,
Being back in Managua has been great. Each night we have been able to return to a nice hotel with all of the pleasantries. There was another social work group here from another university and they informed me that they were jealous of our group for having had the opportunity to take part in a homestay. I am a firm proponent of experiential learning, as I feel that all other forms of gaining “knowledge” apart from first hand experience comes with (to greater and lesser degrees) a pinch of faith. For example: I knew that poverty was a thing. I knew that privelige was a thing. I knew that love, persistence, and optimism were positive things. However, to truly know them is to experience them — to be transformed by them. Coming out of my experience in León has given me a new appreciation for all of these things on a personal and powerful level, far greater than any textbook or lecture.
This past week we took a trip to Casa Alianza (Alliance House), a youth shelter empowering at-risk clients. Not being able to speak, I was still able to connect through laughs, gestures, pointing, and the assistance of Cora and her Spanish (lesson: we are better together). I was personally touched to be able to meet these individuals who had, for one reason or another, found themselves there. The biggest regret I have had on this trip was not being able to speak with them on a deeper level. I want to know their story, and to share mine as well.
“Casa Alianza” Grafitti (Sourced from CA’s homepage)
To tell a story one needs to have a sender and a receiver. To know the essence of a person is to know what makes someone who they are, arguably being the sum of the experiences that shaped them and the psychological and biological elements that constrained their perceptions and subsequent responses. To do this one needs to be able to exchange this to another through language (verbal & non-verbal). Not knowing Spanish has made the barriers between me and the individuals very stark. Lack of communication leads to a lack of ability to more effectively and deeply exchange who we are, to exchange our stories. Without a Voice, it is much easier to be misunderstood (at best) or ignored (at worst) when we need something, when we are being neglected, when we are being oppressed.
Some final take-aways from this trip thus far:
- We learn a lot about ourselves through others and a lot about others through ourselves. (Empathy & self-awareness)
- Personal experience is the optimal form of learning.
- Language and effective communication are essential to empathy, dignity, and empowerment. (Having a Voice is critical for human rights & social issues)
Love,
Don Juan (Jon)