We met the Board for breakfast in the hotel restaurant at 7:15am and were all on board the bus for an 8am departure. We drove two hours north of Managua to León which, at 200,000 people, is the second largest city in Nicaragua.
[ We followed this truck for awhile enroute to Leon. Look closely in the back -- see the child riding there? Imagine that happening in Canada! ]
As we approached project site NI-221, we couldn't believe our eyes: an archway of blue, white and red balloons (representing the colours of Nicaragua and Canada) awaited us, with both sides of the road lined with 50 young women in pink t-shirts, each holding a baby or toddler. As happened yesterday, we were welcomed like celebrities. The work and creativity the project site had put into preparing for our arrival was humbling. Besides the archway of balloons, the inside of the church was beautifully decorated -- again, in the colours of Canada and Nicaragua.
The women all came in and took seats around the periphery of the room. And talk about quiet, well-behaved infants!! With 50 babies and toddlers, there was hardly a peep. The children here seem so well-adjusted and calm.
This particular CSP project has been sponsored by contributors in memory of Connie Lawson, who was the wife of our Compassion Canada Board Chair, Ian Lawson. Connie passed away due to cancer exactly one year ago. So today was a celebration of the CSP site in honour of Connie.
[ The life of Connie Lawson, in whose memory this CSP site is dedicated, was celebrated ]
We spent over three hours at the site, and then broke into smaller groups to do another round of house visits. We visited the home of one of the CSP participants -- a 16-year old mother whose infant son was born three months premature. Her son's survival and, indeed, her own survival are attributed to the support of CSP, which ensured they both received the medical care they needed. The young woman now lives with her 17-year old husband and his parents.
[ Leslie, one of our translators, with bananas growing on the land where we did our home visit ]
From there, we travelled to another corner of Leon and project site NI-155, another CSP site. Again, the women participating in this CSP site met us with much fanfare and a traditional dance.
[ Another warm welcome, this time at project site NI-155]
Each member in the team was then escorted into the church by one of the young mothers. There were some moving speeches, and each of us was presented with a small hand-made gift.
[ Each young mother presented a Board member with a hand-made gift ]
[ The sewing room at NI-155, where the women make school uniforms and other clothes for sale ]
[ Our team, as we prepared to leave NI-155 ]
By the time we left for the two-hour return trip to Managua at 4:30pm, we were emotionally spent. But in a good way. Arriving back at the Hilton, we all met for dinner and a time of sharing our experiences over the last few days.
[ For much of the drive home the impressive Momotombo Volcano was visible in the distance, smoking away! ]
Pam heads home to Canada early tomorrow morning, so I must wrap up this blog entry. I am staying on with the Board until Sunday, but Pam has to get back to the classroom.
As we approached project site NI-221, we couldn't believe our eyes: an archway of blue, white and red balloons (representing the colours of Nicaragua and Canada) awaited us, with both sides of the road lined with 50 young women in pink t-shirts, each holding a baby or toddler. As happened yesterday, we were welcomed like celebrities. The work and creativity the project site had put into preparing for our arrival was humbling. Besides the archway of balloons, the inside of the church was beautifully decorated -- again, in the colours of Canada and Nicaragua.
[ The welcome we received at NI-221!]
The women all came in and took seats around the periphery of the room. And talk about quiet, well-behaved infants!! With 50 babies and toddlers, there was hardly a peep. The children here seem so well-adjusted and calm.
[ The CSP participant mothers and their babies / toddlers ]
This particular CSP project has been sponsored by contributors in memory of Connie Lawson, who was the wife of our Compassion Canada Board Chair, Ian Lawson. Connie passed away due to cancer exactly one year ago. So today was a celebration of the CSP site in honour of Connie.
We spent over three hours at the site, and then broke into smaller groups to do another round of house visits. We visited the home of one of the CSP participants -- a 16-year old mother whose infant son was born three months premature. Her son's survival and, indeed, her own survival are attributed to the support of CSP, which ensured they both received the medical care they needed. The young woman now lives with her 17-year old husband and his parents.
[ Home visit in the southwest of Leon ]
From there, we travelled to another corner of Leon and project site NI-155, another CSP site. Again, the women participating in this CSP site met us with much fanfare and a traditional dance.
[ A cultural dance was performed to welcome us ]
Each member in the team was then escorted into the church by one of the young mothers. There were some moving speeches, and each of us was presented with a small hand-made gift.
We then toured the project site, where we saw a room of Singer sewing machines, which the women are learning to use to produce clothing for sale. We also saw the computer room where the woman are learning computer skills to ensure they are employable.
[ Pam presenting the school supplies she collected at John W. MacLeod School in Halifax, to the Director of the Compassion project site ]
By the time we left for the two-hour return trip to Managua at 4:30pm, we were emotionally spent. But in a good way. Arriving back at the Hilton, we all met for dinner and a time of sharing our experiences over the last few days.
Pam heads home to Canada early tomorrow morning, so I must wrap up this blog entry. I am staying on with the Board until Sunday, but Pam has to get back to the classroom.
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