As you enter the small town of La Dalia, go pass the only
gas station, turn on a street lined with small stores, which lead to the bus
station, and there, stuck between the store fronts and kiosks you will find the
small gate leading to my Nicaraguan abuela's house. As you walk in the gate
there are a few concrete blocks leading over the mud and dirt to the front
door. My abuela shares the small piece of land with the two other houses. The
houses are owned by two of her children. I have my own room and share a large
bathroom with the abuela's daughter and grandson, my Nicaraguan hermanito
(little brother). Also, one of my co-workers from AMC, one of abuela's sons,
lives with us as well. Now, I call him Tio (Uncle) Javier. I really feel at
home here in La Dalia.
My favorite room is the kitchen. My abuela's ministry to
others starts and ends everyday in the kitchen. It's the place I first met her.
The first night I walked in and she immediately had me sit down as she served
me hot beans, rice, and tortillas directly from the pan on the stove to my
plate. There is a simply wooden table with two wooden stools, a small stovetop,
a large concrete washing slab, and another large wooden table. Metal pans line
two walls, small coffee cups hang from a row of pegs on the wall, and in the
morning sunlight peeks through gaps in the brickwork behind the concrete slab
providing some light to the dark kitchen. At different times, different family
members or friends come and go from the kitchen and abuela is always ready to
serve with love.
As for my time learning and observing the programs,
employees, and ministry of AMC's Project Matagalpa, I've already participated
in so many different programs and events. The second day after my arrival, I
went with Margini to the small, rural community of Granadio. Margini every few
months teaches a group of "enfermeras" from the community about new
topics or issues regarding health. AMC equips women from the community, the
enfermeras, to help their communities with health issues and provides
continuing education throughout the year. Doctors and hospitals are not easily
accessible in these communities, also they are expensive; therefore, AMC wants
nurses in the communities for basic health needs.
Later in my first week, I took a microbus to the community
of Coyolar where I met two "prometeras" for AMC. Prometeras are young
volunteers who help AMC educate and communicate to people within their own
communities. In general, I appreciate how AMC uplifts the
leadership of many young people. I went with the two young ladies to the local
school. They brought a beautiful mural and taught the students about dental
hygiene. Dental hygiene is a big health problem for many of the communities
here in the Department of Matagalpa. My favorite part, and something I actually
led, involved singing a song about using a toothbrush. After teaching three
different classes, I had the blessing of going with Xochil to eat lunch at her
grandma's house. We sat a large kitchen with chickens and dogs sharing the
space with us at different times; however, this occurrence is becoming quite
normal for me while living in Nicaragua. The family makes tortillas twice the
size of my head and I received a refreshing fresh fruit juice. I ate with this
beautiful family and reflected on the dental hygiene program. What a simple,
yet important and impactful program. Also, I love that AMC empowers young
people from the actual communities to help make positive impacts.
During my second week, I went with part of the team out to
the community of La Cieba. Violeta taught a two-day workshop talking about the
demographics of the community and climate change. Volunteers from the community
participated in the workshop and Violeta actively involved the community’s
insight and opinions. Each day we served lunch to the participants. The meeting
took place in the community's school and the local kids were so curious about
the workshop and new people visiting the community. Some kids chose to sit in
the back of the classroom and simply watch what was happening while others
stood in the doorway or peeked through the windows. For a good length of time
the children sat quietly and observed. It was neat thing to witness,
considering the fact most kids in the United States will whine and cry if they
have to sit still in a grown up meeting. Also, there are two little girls who
are actually apart of the volunteer group in La Cieba and at different times
Violeta would direct questions towards the little girls. Once again, I
witnessed AMC bringing a community together to help their own community.
In the afternoon, after the second day of the workshop, we
headed back to the AMC office where we assisted the rest of the office with
preparing for the Forum, which was to take place the next day. People made
copies, stapled papers, stuffed folders, and worked till about eight that night
to finish up preparing for the big event. The next day the team loaded two
trucks with tons of supplies and rented tables and chairs for the event. There
were banners, posters, fancy tablecloths, and the AMC tent. The event took
place in an outdoor auditorium at a local hotel in La Dalia. I got to help
behind the secnes and see how hard the AMC team and volunteers worked to put
together this forum. The Forum was aimed at the larger community of La Dalia
and Matagalpa. Pastors, community leaders, and other people interested in
learning about the predicted climate change for the world and for this area in
Nicaragua. A little over 100 people participated and the audience was able to
ask questions to a group of 3 AMC employees and 1 local pastor. Then, after
each presenter shared and answered questions the participants formed small
groups in order to write out actions they promise to fulfill after the
forum. There were groups for each
community's pastors, CAPS leaders or people who work to help communities have
safe water, young adults, people from different communities and a miscellaneous
group. A person from each group
shared their intended promises. The paticipants seemed to really gain something
from the forum as seen in their strong desires to actually do something with
their new information. Overall, I think the Forum on Climate Change went really
well and I commend AMC for the hard work spent on preparing and organizing this
event.
As I adventure and learn with the AMC team in La Dalia, I
carry your support and spirit with me.
Gracias!
Dios te bendiga!
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