Back in July 2014 I began working with Team Emprende which is a group of business volunteers who are selected by our APCDs (bosses) to help bring these wonderful events together. Our first mission was to work on our grants. We worked on three different grants over the next few months in hopes to raise over $20,000 to make the business competition possible. One of the grants was an online grant where contributors from the outside were able to make their own donations to our cause. I want to thank all of those whom participated in this process!!
As September came to an end and we stepped into October our work as a Team Emprende picked up. We were like chickens running around with our heads cut off making sure everything was accounted for and that all of "ducks were in a row!" Weekly meeting were necessary to complete checklists of items and a constant list of phone calls were made to teachers, students, and other peace corps volunteers. Without the help of other volunteers, our work would have been more stressful. I want to personally thank the support of those volunteers who are always reaching above and beyond!
November soon peaked around the corner. We had a few weeks left to put all the missing puzzle pieces together, buy items for the students with our grant money, buy prizes, trophies, put programs together, make calenders and ensure that all of our presenters would be ready and that all of our students would be able to attend.
The first two days were full of lectures. We also had invited students who were not competing in the competition to come and attend these two days. I invited three students from one of my rural schools. This would be their first trip into Managua, their nations capital! I wanted them to experience this and have the opportunity to do something out of the normal. I was so excited when they showed up. I was already in Managua helping out Team Emprende put together last minute details. When I saw their faces I smiled and gave them a hug! These students also had the opportunity to watch the national competition as they will be doing the same in their senior class next year!
The competition itself was long and drawn out but was very exciting to see the students participate and stand on stage presenting a new business they had formed months earlier. Some were earning money and making profit as others would soon follow. There were some interesting products as usual. First place was a group from Condega Esteli who made a pedal for a piano. The catch: they made this pedal from a used stapler and then covered it with wood. They then connected a cable from the stapler to the piano so the piano could sustain its sound. How interesting right?? They also won "Most innovative product" !
Ultimately, I was proud of all the teams who made it to the national competition. As I mentioned earlier this definitely would not have been possible without the support from everyone back home who contributed to the cause and to the volunteers who always contributed their help when asked...or not asked.
A few of us decided to wind down and head to Matagalpa the next day after the competition to buy food and make a mini-Thanksgiving dinner. It was great to close this year with some good food and good friends!
Thank you all!
Gracias a todos!!
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