Granada, Nicaragua Mid-Term Report

After four weeks in their communities, Volunteers are well adjusted to life in Nicaragua.  Many came to Midterm boasting of their ability to eat platefuls of rice and beans three times a day, comparing the battle scars of their mosquito bites and sharing strategies for the art of bucket bathing.

This past week, Volunteers completed grant proposals for community projects in collaboration with local youth groups and community leaders.  Materials will be delivered to each community to begin their projects this coming week.  Projects include libraries, basketball courts and baseball fields, community centers, school improvements, murals, playgrounds and parks.

On July 13th, Volunteers arrived to Granada accompanied by youth from their communities.  At the Tres Mundos Cultural Center, participants shared ideas, talked about their projects and gave an outstanding series of cultural and educational presentations, including a one-act play, samba, salsa and folkloric dances and an HIV/AIDS prevention talk.

Following the event, youth returned to their communities while Volunteers stayed on in Granada for a relaxing weekend to re-energize them for the remainder of the project.  Volunteers had the chance to explore the heart of Granada, take a boat tour to some of the 365 islands in Lake Nicaragua and sport their route pride in fierce and dubious battle that included a “How well do you know your Supervisor?” competition.

By Sunday, Volunteers were eager to return to their communities and “Nica” families with just three weeks to go before the end of the summer.