The potential tree house tree at Los Quinchos
More to come…
Last week, as our trainees departed back to their host families, I welcomed another group to Somoto. Two members of the steering committee of University College of Dublin Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO) arrived in Somoto to plan their 2009 project. UCDVO is a non-profit organization based in Dublin, Ireland. Every year, UCDVO sends University College of Dublin college students to various countries around the world to help strengthen local efforts to improve the lives of those living in developing countries. They are currently working in 4 countries: Haiti, India, Tanzania, and, of course, Nicaragua. If you were reading our blog last year you’ll remember their 6 weeks in Somoto, when 23 students built a health center from the foundations up. In other countries the UCDVO projects aren’t focused so heavily in construction, so this year’s Nicaragua delegation spent last week organizing projects of a slightly different nature.
Some of our blog postings have mentioned Los Quinchos, an educational center where Jess spends a lot of her time. Los Quinchos is a place where at-risk students can go when they aren’t in school to receive a little extra attention. Most of the students come from families with abuse, very poor living situations, and very low financial means. All of that adds up to a difficult situation in which to live, so Los Quinchos gets them out of the house and into a healthier environment for a few extra hours a day. While at Los Quinchos the students receive homework help, skills training in areas such as sewing, woodworking, and piñata building; and a little time with a psychologist. They also receive a meal, and for some students that might be the only time they eat each day. Despite the difficult situation, the children at Los Quinchos are extremely well behaved, energetic, and eager to learn from anybody that comes through the door. Jess and I chalk up the great vibe to the wonderful staff at Los Quinchos, as they really make the most of aging buildings and a very inadequate budget.
It’s for all these reasons and more that we introduced the UCDVO team to the director of Los Quinchos, Glenda. UCDVO was looking for a substantial project and Los Quinchos was looking for a helping hand. Together, the two groups found a few projects that would fulfill the goals of UCDVO and help Los Quinchos better attend its students. This summer, 23 UCDVO students and one advisor will be working at Los Quinchos on three separate projects:
1. The construction of an all-purpose recreational court at the school. The court will have basketball hoops, mini soccer goals, and lines for a bunch of more informal games. Right now the students just play in a field, but the Los Quinchos staff feel that a more organized environment, including real basketball and volleyball teams, will really help the children develop in a more healthy manner and help them get over some of the difficult family situations they experience.
2. The connection of existing bathrooms to the city sewage system. When Hurricane Mitch hit Nicaragua in 1998, it wiped out a lot of the advances Nicaragua had made since the Sandinistas left power in 1990. Specifically at Los Quinchos, the massive amount of water blew out their septic tank, allowing waste to seep into the surrounding area. The bathrooms, which remain in working condition haven’t been used since the storm. Students and staff have reverted back to the use of a makeshift latrine that has been in service for the past 25 years. By connecting the sewage to the newer city system UCDVO can ensure that waste is properly disposed of and treated, as opposed to flowing into the stream that runs beside Los Quinchos.
3. The construction of a tree house in the Los Quinchos courtyard. Building on the idea that the more play space kids have the better, UCDVO, and Los Quinchos felt that a tree house will add to the overall good feeling you get at Los Quinchos. A lot of people argue that the money could be better spent of food, clothes, or books for the kids, but it’s impossible to really quantify the value of a space where kids can just be kids. Our goal is to build a safe, fun, and engaging tree house where kids can use their imaginations. We have a basic plan and design, but based on UCDVO’s budget, the goal is to add on to the tree house as much as money will allow. We’re hoping to “accessorize” with things like a fireman’s pole, a tire-swing, and a slide, but it all comes down to cost. We’ll keep you updated.
On top of the construction work, the UCDVO students will also be participating in the regular Los Quinchos classes and hopefully running daily literacy and art activities on their own. Of course language will be a barrier, but if anyone can really make a difference, it’s the students from UCDVO. After seeing them work last year on the El Kairo health center, I’m 100% confident that this year’s project will be a big success.
As for some of the concerns about Astro in the last blog, Jess and I were very glad to hear Mrs. Lyttle’s class is so interested in Astro’s well-being. We’re almost positive that Astro has some Labrador or Golden Retriever in him, and those dogs are known for their natural ability in the water. Astro started swimming when he was about 5 months old (look back to the May 2008 blog post where we carried him into the canyon). He was a little uneasy in the water at first, but he gets more and more comfortable every time he swims. Now, when we got the canyon, Astro chooses to swim up the river, as opposed to scamper over the rocks. His paws are webbed, like a lot of Labradors, so he can actually swim as fast as Jess or I. He can also paddle around in the water for at least 10 minutes without a break. So, as long as we are close to him when he’s swimming, we really aren’t concerned. Hopefully you’ll get to meet him when we move back to the States in April of 2010!
Some of our blog postings have mentioned Los Quinchos, an educational center where Jess spends a lot of her time. Los Quinchos is a place where at-risk students can go when they aren’t in school to receive a little extra attention. Most of the students come from families with abuse, very poor living situations, and very low financial means. All of that adds up to a difficult situation in which to live, so Los Quinchos gets them out of the house and into a healthier environment for a few extra hours a day. While at Los Quinchos the students receive homework help, skills training in areas such as sewing, woodworking, and piñata building; and a little time with a psychologist. They also receive a meal, and for some students that might be the only time they eat each day. Despite the difficult situation, the children at Los Quinchos are extremely well behaved, energetic, and eager to learn from anybody that comes through the door. Jess and I chalk up the great vibe to the wonderful staff at Los Quinchos, as they really make the most of aging buildings and a very inadequate budget.
It’s for all these reasons and more that we introduced the UCDVO team to the director of Los Quinchos, Glenda. UCDVO was looking for a substantial project and Los Quinchos was looking for a helping hand. Together, the two groups found a few projects that would fulfill the goals of UCDVO and help Los Quinchos better attend its students. This summer, 23 UCDVO students and one advisor will be working at Los Quinchos on three separate projects:
1. The construction of an all-purpose recreational court at the school. The court will have basketball hoops, mini soccer goals, and lines for a bunch of more informal games. Right now the students just play in a field, but the Los Quinchos staff feel that a more organized environment, including real basketball and volleyball teams, will really help the children develop in a more healthy manner and help them get over some of the difficult family situations they experience.
2. The connection of existing bathrooms to the city sewage system. When Hurricane Mitch hit Nicaragua in 1998, it wiped out a lot of the advances Nicaragua had made since the Sandinistas left power in 1990. Specifically at Los Quinchos, the massive amount of water blew out their septic tank, allowing waste to seep into the surrounding area. The bathrooms, which remain in working condition haven’t been used since the storm. Students and staff have reverted back to the use of a makeshift latrine that has been in service for the past 25 years. By connecting the sewage to the newer city system UCDVO can ensure that waste is properly disposed of and treated, as opposed to flowing into the stream that runs beside Los Quinchos.
3. The construction of a tree house in the Los Quinchos courtyard. Building on the idea that the more play space kids have the better, UCDVO, and Los Quinchos felt that a tree house will add to the overall good feeling you get at Los Quinchos. A lot of people argue that the money could be better spent of food, clothes, or books for the kids, but it’s impossible to really quantify the value of a space where kids can just be kids. Our goal is to build a safe, fun, and engaging tree house where kids can use their imaginations. We have a basic plan and design, but based on UCDVO’s budget, the goal is to add on to the tree house as much as money will allow. We’re hoping to “accessorize” with things like a fireman’s pole, a tire-swing, and a slide, but it all comes down to cost. We’ll keep you updated.
On top of the construction work, the UCDVO students will also be participating in the regular Los Quinchos classes and hopefully running daily literacy and art activities on their own. Of course language will be a barrier, but if anyone can really make a difference, it’s the students from UCDVO. After seeing them work last year on the El Kairo health center, I’m 100% confident that this year’s project will be a big success.
As for some of the concerns about Astro in the last blog, Jess and I were very glad to hear Mrs. Lyttle’s class is so interested in Astro’s well-being. We’re almost positive that Astro has some Labrador or Golden Retriever in him, and those dogs are known for their natural ability in the water. Astro started swimming when he was about 5 months old (look back to the May 2008 blog post where we carried him into the canyon). He was a little uneasy in the water at first, but he gets more and more comfortable every time he swims. Now, when we got the canyon, Astro chooses to swim up the river, as opposed to scamper over the rocks. His paws are webbed, like a lot of Labradors, so he can actually swim as fast as Jess or I. He can also paddle around in the water for at least 10 minutes without a break. So, as long as we are close to him when he’s swimming, we really aren’t concerned. Hopefully you’ll get to meet him when we move back to the States in April of 2010!
Here we are at the canyon last week:
More to come…
1 comment:
Who would've thought that Jess would be in Nicaragua?!?! WOW! I'm so glad that your little sis, Jen gave me your blog to catch up on what you've been up to the past 9 years...how amazing it is that you're in the peace corps helping others. I know a little thing about being in another country helping others too as my sister and brother-in-law are Christian Missionaries in Paraguay and have been living there for 3 years now with their 3 children and 4th on the way. As much as I miss them it is nice to use then as an excuse to travel abroad. ;)
Anyways, I just wanted to say hi to you since it's been so long and let you know how pleased I am that I get to catch up and keep up on your adventure. Simply amazing!
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