We Made It!

By: Clareese Saunders


After months and months of fundraising, teambuilding and learning the history of Nicaragua we are finally able to begin to see the fruits of our labor.

After a long day of connecting flights, coffee breaks and bathroom runs we landed in Managua.
Stepping off the plane and into the rich and beautiful culture of Nicaragua is something that is hard to explain but also something I will never forget.

There is something humbling and overwhelming about being in and around the people of Nicaragua. For a country where people have so little they are constantly smiling, inviting and proud of their country.  After meeting our delegate leaders Brooke and Christine we traveled to CEPAD which is the hostel where we are staying for the duration of the project. Being able to be in another country and walk into CEPAD and instantly feel at home was an unexpected surprise.  Today we visited the market place and also a local mall. The difference between the two was tremendous even though they were only about twenty minutes apart. The market was full of different vendors crammed together and many things could be found from rice and beans to cds. The people worked there for a living wtih most shop hourse operating from five a.m. to at seven pm. 

The mall to my amazement was better then some I have seen in America!  This was a great way for us to realize that  socioeconomic status is in effect in Nicaragua as well and although they are a developing country there are places that will feel familiar.  Although we have been here for less then twenty fours hours I can already see our minds opening and am eager to see what the rest of the delegation has in store.  One thing is for certain,  beauty can be found everywhere and even with dirt roads and poverty I see beauty and hope.