Que Estoy Haciendo Ahora

Last week we had Thanksgiving. More or less it was a small break for us. Some volunteers have finished teaching in the schools and some have a couple more days left. High School graduation is next week for the majority of Nicaragua. I will attend each "Promocion" at each of my schools next week. I´m excited for my students to continue life outside of school. I know some will begin university classes, others will work for the families, and others will not work at all nor will obtain a higher education.

As school is out, my job is to work with local business owners sitting down with them discussing the importance of their business, giving suggestions to them, and explaining the importance of savings and managing a ledger of daily sales. Many small businesses have an idea of how much money they are spending and earning through out the day but do not have a way to track it. Others have a way to track it, but I feel it is an inefficient method. This is where I come in and ask to sit down with them providing them my knowledge. I will not try to change the way they manage their business, just simply give suggestions that may make life easier and give them an opporuntity to look closely at where their money is going and how much is coming in on a daily basis. This is one of my goals.

My other goal is to form a youth group or group of people who like to run and start some sort of running club. Along the way I would like to give health "charlas" to the group about what it means to live a healthy life style. Some of these charlas will include dental "charlas" which I will offer to the community as well. I will explain the importance of dental health and give out tooth brushes and other dental items that friends and family have sent to me from home.

I too plan on collaborating with my site mate, Benjamin, to continue our English class for the community. I have met quite a few people especially kids who have a desire to learn English. Right now, the kids are taking their first English class during their High School years. I feel this is not effective and is better to start at a young age. My mentor and in site Spanish teacher, Profesora Elizabeth, has also been teaching an English class. She can speak very well and has quite an interesting story about how she learned English! Let`s just say it involves a chunk of her life traveling by truck from Nicaragua up through Mexico, crossing the Rio Grande into California, and finding a job all to escape the Contra War of the early 80s in Nicaragua. It´s better when she tells it!

In my spare time, I hope to travel Nicaragua some if money permits. I still have a little more than a year left, so there is time to travel. But when time travels fast, there may be no time to travel ! This is why we need to enjoy every second of our lives! There is much to see with so little time. Keep your eyes open and do not miss what is heading your way, an adventure!