Hello friends! As month 3 comes to an end, just want to update with some quick photos and stories. Please keep Nicaragua in your prayers - the political unrest and economic side-effects are far from over. The common people are feeling it and need strength for each day.
This beautiful country and its people are teaching me so much. I am regularly eating large helpings of humble pie. Two weeks ago, a whole pie. But so much good is coming from this experience - even the tough parts. Some sound bites to sum up some of the lessons:
You can't change people.
I'm a blip here. Nicaragua operated without me and will again just fine when I'm gone.
Ask questions. There's a history behind how things got to where they are.
The impact you leave may not be tangible or palpable and that's ok.
Messy is beautiful.
Trust your schooling - you know more than you think.
This was never about me. I'm a small piece of a much bigger story.
Going for a walk with our life skills group (there's more not pictured here). Look at these beauties! On the far left is one of our teachers - communicating with one of our girls who has autism and is nonverbal. The 3 on the right have intellectual delays and need close supervision. In our program, they're learning how to do some basic housecleaning, basic personal hygiene, community safety, kitchen safety, and arts and crafts. They're also learning what to do in emergencies. We did an earthquake drill with them last week, as earthquakes this time of year are common. We had one that was a 5.5 on the Richter scale (moderate) just the other day.
Mr. Potato Head makes a comeback!
We are lacking in many things here, but cuteness is not one of them. Here's one of the siblings of a child receiving services. More to come soon!
This beautiful country and its people are teaching me so much. I am regularly eating large helpings of humble pie. Two weeks ago, a whole pie. But so much good is coming from this experience - even the tough parts. Some sound bites to sum up some of the lessons:
You can't change people.
I'm a blip here. Nicaragua operated without me and will again just fine when I'm gone.
Ask questions. There's a history behind how things got to where they are.
The impact you leave may not be tangible or palpable and that's ok.
Messy is beautiful.
Trust your schooling - you know more than you think.
This was never about me. I'm a small piece of a much bigger story.
Some snapshots of life here:
Driving through a neighborhood
Buying produce at the market
Going for a walk with our life skills group (there's more not pictured here). Look at these beauties! On the far left is one of our teachers - communicating with one of our girls who has autism and is nonverbal. The 3 on the right have intellectual delays and need close supervision. In our program, they're learning how to do some basic housecleaning, basic personal hygiene, community safety, kitchen safety, and arts and crafts. They're also learning what to do in emergencies. We did an earthquake drill with them last week, as earthquakes this time of year are common. We had one that was a 5.5 on the Richter scale (moderate) just the other day.
Coloring with some of our high needs, low functioning kiddos. We let them experience a variety of activities for quality of life and the possibility of obtaining new skills.
Mr. Potato Head makes a comeback!
But why? When I'm not with the special ed teachers and physical therapists, I'm doing speech therapy. Ha, funny. You teaching children to pronounce Spanish words. Yep - it's actually hilarious, and I love it. I'm the sub while our speech therapist is on maternity leave. And we use Mr. Potato Head along with a picture and words chart (PECS) as one tool to engage the kiddos in language - naming body parts and asking for things they want. Aren't they precious?
We are lacking in many things here, but cuteness is not one of them. Here's one of the siblings of a child receiving services. More to come soon!
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