My team and I are actually staying in Nicaragua along the Pan-American Highway. We are located between Chichigalpa and Chinandega (I just call it Chi to Chin, for short).
We are working with an organization here called Vision Nicaragua. Let me tell you a bit about this area we have been working at.
Back in 1998, this area was hit by hurricane Mitch. It devastated the area and villages were destroyed. Vision Nicaragua first came here to serve and give aid and since have partnered with the villages nearby to rebuild and help restore communities, by either rebuilding home, having a free medical clinic on site, or help start microfinance businesses.
One of the villages we have been working with is the little village of Bethel (well, it’s little to me considering I’m a big city girl with a bit of a country heart). Vision Nicaragua has help rebuild homes here. Though the roads are dirt with lots of potholes and the city center consists of a church and a school, this village may be considered “upper-class poor.”
We have been to other villages which are less privileged and their 10’ x 15’ (I’m estimating) homes are made out of wood, plastic bags, and when possible, scrap tin roof material. Many families have welcomed us into their homes allowing us to share the message of hope and love from God.
One of the more heartbreaking injustices in this area is how many young men from the nearby villages die here. There are two main sugar cane (and rum) companies out here. They use a pesticide that have been banned in the United States due to it toxicity. Many men, who do not have any other choice to provide for their family, resort to working for these companies, knowing that their lives are in grave risk. Once they contract the “disease,” they mostly get fired and have a short limited time to live.
I’ll be honest. It’s still hard for me to understand the culture, the economics, and the psychology of the people here. A lot of people live on the equivalent of just a few hundred dollars a month if they have a good job. Though some have flat screens, others are blessed enough to have a tube TV. While outhouses are still the norm, thankfully, we are staying at a location that has flushable toilets. You would also find pigs, stray dogs, a horse, or chicken every which way you turn. I wish I could speak Spanish more fluently so I can relate to the people here more but several languages are universal: gestures, music, hugs, math, and the love of Christ.
Well, I just wanted to give a small update since writing isn’t my strong suit and I rather solve calculus problems. But let me know what else you would like to hear from me about since it’ll also generate more ideas on what to write or maybe I’ll make a ghetto amateur video blog next time to avoid writing. J
Until next time, Ciao!
Lolita (it helps having a Hispanic name here) 😀
