Hola amigos y familia!! Espero que ellos están bien. Now that we have been here for a day there is no reason why we shouldn't be using the language of the land. Today we got the opportunity to meet our contractor, Uriel, and some of the children of Cedro Galan. It was a great opportunity to improve upon our Spanish, and I feel like the team's Spanish gets better everyday. When we arrived this morning we began by moving dirt from the area where the concrete slab would be laid. Justin, our technical advisor, who seems to have a vast knowledge of just about everything you ever wanted to know, taught us the proper way to shovel and we got to work. While most of the team was taking shifts shoveling, I met with Christina to discuss logistics and work progress for the duration of our time in Nicaragua. Contrary to our prior belief, the contractor informed us that the slab would take about two days to cure (significantly less than the seven days of drying we were anticipating). This meant that we would have to go back to the drawing board, as far as scheduling goes. However, now it is very good chance that we will be able to completely finish the project before we leave.
The afternoon went much slower. The work that needed to be done was taken over by the contractor. The contractor and his team began digging the trench to install the rest of piping to the bathroom. They also began excavating the plot for the concrete slab to put in the steel formation. While the contractor did his work, we began scoping out future projects for El Farito. Rita and Rosie walked around the center taking measurements and pictures that could be used by, hopefully, next year's Nicaragua team. (Today's funny was when Rosie got pooped on by a bird, picture below, while taking measurements of the front of the community center.) Afterwards, we enjoyed each other's company, spent some time clerbing (the new dancing phenomenon sweeping the nation), and helped the Manna PDs run Camp JAM. Camp JAM is an afternoon children's program that focuses on games (juegos), art (arte), and music (musica) to promote creative thinking. Today's lesson revolved around bubbles. The students began by learning english words that related to the lesson, and then did two activities, where the kids got to blow bubbles and make art with paint bubbles. We returned to Quinta at about 3pm covered in dirt and sweat and, as always, hungry. We rested for a bit, it rained, and the team members that had to return to El Farito to help with the English classes went on their way.
That's all for now folks!
Jade Jackson
That's all for now folks!
Jade Jackson
Rosie with bird poop on her shirt, it's supposed to be good luck!
Justin, the inventor of clerbing, taking a brief clerbing break before getting back to work.
Abdul, our project manager, with little Anthony from Camp JAM.