This week a long-time AMIGOS dream was realized when the first-ever group of Gap Year Volunteers stepped off the plane in Nicaragua.
We're so excited we're speechless, so we'll let them tell you about it:
DAY ONE
"Greetings from Esteli! After more than ten hours of airports and flying for some of us, we have all arrived in Nica! However, our journey was not complete after we met one another at the airport in Managua. We had a two and a half hour drive to Esteli. Needless to say, we collapsed into bed. This morning we woke (some of us later than others, ahem, the boys), had breakfast and set off to training. Training, which will last for about two weeks, is centered on giving us the tools we will need for the next four or eight months. This includes learning and practicing personal leadership skills, cultural sensitivity training and going over health and safety guidelines. Esteli is beautiful, and we spent the latter part of the day on a scavenger hunt, figuring out the layout of the city. Our trainers and staff have been amazing so far, and that’s not just Maddie adding that. I think I speak for us all when I say that we are excited, nervous and ready to get going. So hi to everyone at home, we love you! (Hi mom, dad, Mellie and Tay, I am writing this so I get to say hi to my family specifically:)Over and out,
Annie"
"Day 2 of the Amigos experience is in the book, and the aftermath is a head full of half-understood Spanish and a tummy very full of arroz y frijoles (rice with beans and spices). I believe I speak for all of the Amigos volunteers when I say that I think we all lucked out with the accidental conglomeration of nine unique and thoughtful 18-year-olds; (a statistical improbability from my experience in high school). Perhaps it is less of a coincidence than I would think because in two days, it is clear that a semester or two in Nicaragua is no escapade for the faint of heart. Today in training, we played a game in which two different teams were both faced with the task of extracting a complicated piece of information from a team member who could only answer questions with “yes” or “no”. To me, it spoke of the challenge of living in a world where expression is achieved through language without knowing how to say a whole lot. Languages aside, it’s been exhilarating to begin the process of taking in the new world of Nicaragua, and the equally new personalities of my fellow “gappers”.
Todo lo mejor, all the best,
DAYS THREE & FOUR:
After powering through yesterday’s health and safety training, supporting one another as we waded/swam across rivers, and eating copious amounts of gallo-pinto, days 3 and 4 have left in their wake some very tired but ex
tremely happy volunteers. One of the highlights of yesterday’s activities was Dr. Izaura’s visit. Dr. Izaura’s was able to answer all of our questions about any health issues we may encounter in the field. We also bonded with her on a personal level today as she accompanied us on our excursion to Cañón de Somoto, and were impressed as she confidently leapt into the river even though she didn’t know how to swim (we were all wearing life jackets!). Our seven-hour hike/river-crossing/tubing expedition today also surpassed all expectations. After three days of training, today was a great break. As you can probably tell from the pictures, everyone was smiling as we tottered across rivers, dove into our first Nicaraguan water, and basked in the sun (and later rain) as we hiked through the canyon.
Hasta Luego,
Sarah and Grace
DAY FIVE:
The excitement of our Sunday excursion, although still vivid in our minds, has past. Our attention has once again turned to our training and the task of preparing for the future: a future that is drawing forever nearer. Yesterday we went
over a brief history of Latin America, followed by the history of development here. We then discussed the successes and, perhaps more importantly, the failures of community development programs, both past and present. All of this information helped us see how Amigos fits into the community development landscape, and how its ideals have adjusted and adapted. We then went over the theories of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) and Appreciative Inquiry (AI), the basis of the Amigos philosophy. To sum them up, we are not here to give anything to anyone, but rather to collaborate with and support Nicaraguan youth as they use the assets that already exist in the community to affect positive social change and sustainable community development. As we get ready to go out to our families and communities it will be very important that we keep this philosophy in mind. On a lighter note, the food remains very good and everyone seems to be having a good time!
Saludos,
David
