Since returning late Sunday morning (due to weather-related issues), I had a lot of time to reflect on the past 2 weeks and all that occurred in addition to all that I learned while being in Nicaragua. I can’t help, but to have mixed emotions. I’m filled with gratitude for being able to experience such an amazing culture and motivation to take back what I learned from the NGOs and institutions we visited to the United States and be the change I want to see in the world. I am filled with hurt and disgust at what  the United States was involved in which affected the Nicaraguan people gravely.

It is hard to go to a “3rd world” country to learn from the people and their history, when the people have nothing, but negative things to say about the horrific history the two countries share. Even with the negative history that the US shares with Nicaragua, the people welcomes us with open arms. They were delighted to discuss their history and the current issues that they face. We shared ideas, viewpoints, hugs, pictures, and history. Through these things we were able to learn from one another on the same ground level and that was an amazing experience. I am more humble and appreciative of the freedoms we have in the US since returning home.

Over the last 2 weeks we visited Managua, Leon, Massaya, Granada, and Matagalpa. Visiting all 4 Departments in Nicaragua, not only gave us different perspectives of the Nicaraguan history as well as current social issues, but it also gave us a sense of community and culture. It was a phenomenal feeling to be apart of such an amazing and deep culture. I felt the pain, the sadness, the happiness, the motivation and the pride in their voices when they told their stories. I felt the dedication that they had to their particular cause and the community they were serving.

One thing that was common in the organizations we visited is that they have NEVER received government funding from the current administration which has been in power for about the last 15 years. This saddened me, but surprised me at the same time. ALL of the organizations and institutions we visited were doing amazing work and for them to not have any government funding is mind boggling to me. Not only did that impress me, but it also motivated me to learn how they do it, and take that information back to the non-profits I work with and implement that. There is something amazing about the fight and drive that people in “3rd world” countries have. This is certainly something that all “1st world” countries can learn from.

As you can tell this was a very educational, inspirational and amazing study abroad trip to Nicaragua, Central America. Even through some difficulties along the way, I am humbled by the experience and all of the Nicaraguan and Central America people I crossed paths with.

Lastly, thank you to Ausburg College and Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) for awarding me the Mary Witt Scholarship. Without that scholarship, this trip would not have happened for me. Thank you so very much!

-Amanda

On these two days, we had a chance to really experience the fun side of Nicaragua. On Saturday, we traveled to Masaya Volcano Park where we actually got to see the active volcano and the lava inside. We captured some amazing photos.

We then went on to Granada in which we visited Café Sonrisas. The owner of the cafe specifically works with people with disabilities. They make homemade hammocks and serve really great food! We experienced what it is like to be apart of their “world”. We were given ear plugs to put in our ears and eat part of our lunch with them in. The point of it was so that we could could try to get a glimpse into what their lives are like with no hearing. This activity certainly touched me.

We then traveled to Lagoon Apoyo which we spent the afternoon swimming in the lagoon and relaxing. We then went to our hotel and explored the surrounding areas. We really got a sense of the culture in Granada and how different it is than the other departments and cities we have been to thus far.

On Sunday we visited a potter and indigenous leader, Valetin Lopez. He explained that San Juan Oriente, Masaya is an indigenous town and basically everyone does pottery work. He showed us the process on how to make the pottery and gave us an insight to their past culture and present one too. The process that they use currently to make pottery, is the same process their ancestors used with the exception of a kick wheel that decreases the process from 2 hours to 5 mins to shape the pot.

From, there we visited the local craft market to buy souvenirs for our loved ones, and again to engage in the local culture. After that we departed to Matagalpa.

In Matagalpa, we spent basically the entire day on Monday at the co-op. We learned how to make homemade tortillas, how to use natural plants for medicine and preventative care, and even made cough syrup. We watched their native dancing and listened to their cultures songs. We met with the children of the school and really learned the ins and outs of the co-op and community. Unfortunately, I was not able to see the coffee trees due to my allergen of bees. The decision was made for me by someone else not to attend. However, I did not let that ruin my day. Once we finished at the co-op I experienced my first ever tasting of a hot chocolate coffee which tasted amazing considering I dislike coffee. The coffee grown and then used in the cafe we were at, was from the co-op and surrounding community.

-Amanda

I am so sad to say that we had to leave our host families on Thursday and travel back to Managua. When we woke up our family left Lauren and I was left with a goodbye note which really touched our hearts.

Once back in Managua, we met with Julio Mena, the director of ANiCP+ViDA. This organization works on the prevention and education of HIV and AIDS. Julio told us about his life story. He was affected with HIV during the Contra War because he was wounded and another soldier gave him some of his own blood to help him survive. He didn’t know he had HIV so he ended up infecting his daughter, who eventually passed away at 6 years old and also his girlfriend. He experienced years and years of guilt, shame, isolation, discrimination, etc. because of this. Even though it was not his fault that he was infected and did not know he was infected until a year later, Julio was still shamed and stigmatized. Because of what he experienced, he decided to work in the outreach and education field in regards to HIV and AIDS.

On Friday we had the pleasure of meeting a former Sandinista guerrilla from the Contra War (The war Ronald Reagan waged on Nicaragua), Maria Teresa Blandón. Not only did she speak of her time being a part of the revolution at the age of only 17 years old, but she also spoke of feminism. She compared and differed it in the US and Nicaragua. She also touched on marriage and why she doesn’t believe in it. She touched on some really good points, such as religion, which is necessary in society, but there need to be limits to it. Religion calls for absolute power, and if we give that then we are all doomed. When she talked about the Contra War and the revolution she was involved in, she mentioned that the cost they paid was too high. Too many young people lost their lives in the war, and in the end it was for nothing. It made me sad and mad all at the same time. Hearing her story and listening to her words, certainly inspired me to be apart of such huge change when I return to the states.

On Friday we also went to Casa Alianza which is residential center for young people who are victims of human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse, abuse in general, domestic violence, etc., and also for teen mothers. With human trafficking being my background and the career area I want to go into in regards to social work, I was so excited once we arrived. I had so many questions for the employees once they were finished telling us about the organization. One thing that caught my attention is that she said even if they help the people prosecute legally got the crime against their perpetrator, it doesn’t always mean they will be held accountable, as the government does not want their numbers to increase so it is certainly a challenge to try to prosecute the criminals. This visit was truly my favorite one!

-Amanda

The morning of our 3rd day in Nicaragua, we traveled to León. We met with Professor Juan at UNAN – León which is the University of León. We then went to Sandra’s house to meet with our host families that we were to stay with during our time in León. Lauren and I had the pleasure of staying at Professor Juan and Professor Ruth’s home with their 3 children, 2 birds, and dog, Doky. Their entire family welcomed us with open arms.

When Professor Juan welcomed us into their home, he also told us that we are now apart of their family. He told us we could call him Papa Juan, Professor Ruth – Mama Ruth and Naza, Maria and Natalie our sisters. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with our host families, exchanged English and Spanish teaching lessons and even watched tv with them.

The first day in León, we met with Professor Juan and Ruth’s social work students. They gave an amazing presentation on what social work looks like in Nicaragua and how human rights are involved. I learned that social work here is based all around the human rights of people. They tackle issues such as rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, etc. They had a strong emphasis on combating crimes against women and children. We also had a chance to split up into groups and talk about what social work is like in the US compared to Nicaragua. The students asked personal and professional questions. They seemed really intrigued with our story and wanted to know so much. It was an amazing experience to talk with them, learn from them and become friends with them. We exchanged info and even took pictures.

On the second day in León, we went to La Casona. They do preventative work with at-risk youth and even youth that already had their freedom taken. They coordinate with the local police department to do this work. We had the pleasure of meeting the police officer and hearing from them first hand on what needs to be done to help their at-risk youth. One thing that stuck with me from this meeting is what one police officer said. He said, “We can’t raise our kids like they are rich. We have to raise them like they are poor.” What he meant by this was that they have to teach their kids to work for the things they want and even need. They cannot teach their kids that things are handed to them because especially in countries like Nicaragua, that is certainly not the case. We then met with CIDS which conducts research in relation to social work and human rights.

On our final night, our host families took us out to a nice bar with music so that we could enjoy the rest of our time in León with them and continue to engage and interact with their culture.

Overall, the home stays have been the best part of the trip and I am so happy that we got to experience this. I do wish the homesteads were 4 days this year, instead of 2 days. Papa Juan and Mama Ruth as well as their family will forever be in my heart!

-Amanda

Hola! From Managua, Nicaragua, Central America

The trip started out with hiccups right away with us having baggage fees that we were not made aware of beforehand which made us all very anxious, however the first two days in Managua were very informative. On Sunday, we spent most of the day flying from Ohio to Managua while stopping in Miami. Flying completely exhausted us, but once we arrived in Managua, we were graciously welcomed by our trip leader fro, El Salvador, César and our driver, Hector.

Once we settled into our hotel, we took a tour of the city and visited several landmarks such as the statute of the silhouette of Sandino. On Monday, we met with Joseph Connelly with The Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE), who gave us a history lesson on Nicaragua. This first session really peaked my interest. We learned a great deal about the relationship between Nicaragua and the US as well as the corruption and manipulation that the US force upon the Nicaraguan culture. In addition to that, we learned about the division of the country. The eastern side of Nicaragua is very rural and distant from the western side of Nicaragua. Joseph explained that the two sides of the country are like their own country as they operate separately even though they are under the same government. The eastern side is more autonomous and take justice into their own hands. We also learned about FSLN and the Contra War that former President Ronald Reagan put forth during his time in office in the 1980’s. We also learned about the war on drugs with the FBI and the black neighborhoods.

In the afternoon we then went to NicaHope. This organization works with kids from the previous local trash dump community. Though the community has a recycling plant now instead of a trash dump, the children are still being helped. The organization was created to teach the kids other ways to make money so they don’t have to leave school to work at the trash dump. They make homemade jewelry to sell. We also had a chance to tour the facilities and buy some of the jewelry that was handmade.

During the first two days in Nicaragua not only did we engage with the Nicaraguan people and their culture, but we also got to understand how even through corruption and economic hardship, they stand tall and fight the social injustices that affect their society and community on a daily basis.

-Amanda