Chontales, Nicaragua Debriefing Report
As we reflect, with debriefing upon us, it has been an
exciting, stimulating, and rewarding summer for the Chontales project.
Volunteers have facilitated and implemented various projects ranging from
health, environmental, and children's rights education to creative expression,
youth leadership and media activities and classes. They have also planted
community gardens, facilitated community environmental and trash collection
campaigns, facilitated alternative media exercises, and supported local youth
groups. Additionally, some examples of community-based initiatives made
possible by the Volunteers' and community members' creativity are: improvements
to community libraries and community centers; fundraising initiatives;
renovations and improvements to community parks and schools; and a
school/youth-led newspaper, among others. Overall, collaboration between
community members and Volunteers has been gratifying.
As a final goodbye, community members, partner agency representatives, friends
of AMIGOS and Project Staff will share an exhibition of the projects, whereby
AMIGOS partners will be recognized and Volunteer and community collaborations
and accomplishments celebrated at our project despedida (closing ceremony). After
debriefing activities that aim to evaluate the Youth-to-Youth Community
Development project and our first year of working in Chontales, to reflect, and
to prepare for returning to the United States,
Volunteers will leave Managua
Wednesday morning. In addition, Volunteers and Project Staff look forward to
spending a relaxing couple of days in Granada,
touring cultural and historical sites and sharing time with fellow AMIGOS.
