Monday, January 31, 2011

para escuchar

Some of my current spanish music obsessions.

Danza Kuduro - Don Omar
Fun for dancing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zp1TbLFPp8

Mi Niña Bonita - Chino y Nacho
It just makes me smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe1fRwgGu5E

Stand By Me - Prince Royce
Spanish/English remake of the classic, so good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N5ynWkfTeo

30 hour famine


From 1pm this past Thursday to 7pm this past Friday, the Manna team did not eat.  We fasted for 30 hours to raise awareness and better understand world hunger.  Here are some of the unfortunate and astounding statistics:

-“Hunger kills another child every 10 seconds.”
-“The poor spend most of their money just trying not to starve.  1.4 billion people live on less than $1.25/day.”
-“Hunger has lasting effects on a child’s well-being.  Hunger starves the brain.”
-“Chronic hunger limits the body’s ability to use energy for activities.  A person who is chronically hungry suffers from lethargy, the body’s response to prolonged calorie and nutrient deprivation.”

 I’ve always known hunger existed, but I didn’t understand how profound, complicating, and vast the issue actually is until our discussions.  It amazes me because in the US, we’re concerned with childhood obesity, overeating, and increased fast food portion sizes.  In Africa, they’re concerned with wasting away, the inability to ward off illness due to lack of nutrients, and spreading single portion sizes a dozen ways.

Without a doubt, I felt the effects of the lack of food.  Skipping dinner the first night was difficult.  I stayed in the community for longer to keep myself busy so I wouldn’t come home and be tempted by the kitchen calling my name.  Although I didn’t feel terribly hungry the first day, I did have a killer headache.  The entire house had a very early night… we played games and waited for 10 to roll around so we could justify going to sleep.

The next morning, we volunteered at a comedor (feeding center) in Oriental Market.  Oriental Market is the largest and one of the most dangerous markets in Central America.  I’ve worked in Managua’s dump and Fairfax’s ER, and there is little in this world that still shocks me.  Or so I thought.  This comedor shocked me.  To put it in perspective, it’s located in a block where there were 3 murders this past year.  Not the town, area, or street but that BLOCK.  The comedor is run by a Korean American missionary and caters to the homeless.  These people are the lowest of the low – they are the prostitutes, the drug seekers, the unfathomably impoverished.  In addition to distributing food, the comedor provides a location where this population may simply maintain human dignity.  It’s a place to go to the bathroom, shower, wash clothes, and socialize.  

The people were rough and made me incredibly uncomfortable as we first walked in.  The way they dressed, their tattoos, their scars, one with pants made out of newspaper (as he was waiting for his clothes to dry haha).  I’ve worked really hard not to judge people on first appearances, and this was another experience to remind me why that’s so wrong.  The people were incredible.  Eager to talk and share their stories, they were some of the friendliest and sincere people I’ve ever met.  

The day winded down after our morning in the market, and the effects of no food surfaced.  I still had a horrendous headache, and was starting to feel lethargic.  I didn’t want to do anything.  

The last hour of our famine, we had someone from the Canadian Red Cross talk to us about effective nutrition programs.  I could not concentrate, and I actually had to take my watch off so I would stop looking at the time ever 42 seconds.  It wasn’t because the information was boring (it was fascinating and I want her to come back!), but it was because my brain had absolutely nothing to run on.  I can see how some of the chronically hungry children have trouble concentrating in schools or how adults don't have motivation to find jobs.

We broke the fast with espagueti (spaghetti) and ice cream.  I am so fortunate that I don’t have to worry about where my food comes from, and I actually feel guilty for ever complaining about eating leftovers.  I’m grateful for the experience which generated a passion for our nutrition program and has inspired me to become more aware of hunger issues globally.

For more interesting information, check out the websites below :)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

who let the dogs out?

Visiting a third world country is one thing.  Living in a third world country is completely different.  While you’re visiting, you have the mindset that everything is temporary, and more often than not, you have someone dedicated to help you through your stay… whether it’s seasoned leaders of your group, parents, hotel staff, etc.  No one takes responsibility for you 24/7 when you’re living somewhere.  What does this mean?  I’ve had to learn how to live in Nicaragua. 
The hardest part about trying to go somewhere in the US?  Usually finding my keys.  The hardest part about trying to go out in Nicaragua?  Everything!
Let’s start with, if the dogs are out, I feel like a prisoner in my own house.  We have 2 Rottweilers named Sidney and Cola (Cola means tail in Spanish, he still has his) who are way too good at their guard job.  The dogs typically take a little while to warm up to you and are under close supervision until that point is reached.  I am not there.  I am petrified of the beasts.

cola.
The other night, I tried to man-up and walk past them to the pool house.  Cola and Sidney were kind enough to sense my fear, jump up, ferociously bark and charge at me.  It was too late to turn around, but I was not going to stand there and lose a limb.  So into the pool I went.  I was fully clothed, fresh out of the shower, and definitely was not anticipating an evening swim.

If I were to make it safely past the dogs, the next obstacle would be the manual vehicles.  I’ve been learning how to drive a manual car but still haven’t had the opportunity to master the art.  Learning to drive stick shift in Nicaragua is quite fun.  Sometimes when we drive, I feel like we’re in a video game as we rumble over uneven roads, dodge men trying to wash our windshield at stoplights, and wait for cows to get out of the way (moo moo farm anyone?).

our driveway. I wish I could measure the angle of steepness or that this photo did it justice.
If I were to successfully drive somewhere, I’d be greeted with a language barrier.  Not an insurmountable obstacle but enough of an obstacle to challenge my comfort zone.  I absolutely love the Spanish language, and I’m fairly good at it.  But I still meet people who talk 9874 miles a minute, use regional terms, and prove difficult to understand.  Sometimes it’s mentally exhausting to engage in long conversations.
I had gotten so good at my routines in the US that I wasn’t used to (or maybe even aware of) the patience it requires learning something new.  The experience is challenging and incredibly rewarding.  I am becoming more comfortable as I learn how to live here.  And I’m loving every second of it.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

arrrrriba! abajo! al centro! adentro!

CHEERS Nica-style.  In addition to volunteering, part of the experience is simply enjoying life in Nicaragua.  It is vastly different than life in the US and quite entertaining to say the least.

Por ejemplo (for example):

Singing karaoke might as well be a commercial for Kleenex.  I think it's a requirement that a chosen song must have one of the following words: llorar (to cry), lágrima (tear), perder (to lose), lástima (pity).

at the karaoke bar

Our favorite club is shaped in a pyramid.  Every Thursday, the cover charge is 30 cordobas (~$1.50) for open bar.  It's open until SEVEN am, and it's completely normal to stay out until around 5am.  To top off the night, there are a number of hamburger stands right outside where you can get amazing burgers with bacon for the ride home.  JMU, instead of Jimdels, I think you should meet me at Chaman :)

chaman!

Baseball games are complete chaos.  Including rainshowers of booze on opposing fans, choruses of olé olé olé olé, little kids dressed up as mascots who dance in between innings, the opportunity to buy anything you could ever want... stickers?  noise makers?  coca light (diet coke)?  homemade tortillas?  All carried by kids, over-enthusiastic and insistent men, or women in aprons.  We planned to leave in the 8th inning to beat the crazy crowds, but León (opposing city) hit a grand slam to tie Boer (Managua's team).  The game lasted until the 12th inning when Boer finally won.  And good thing we didn't leave.  We were triple parked.

Boer Indians

gringo fans

We don't have a TV.  So any time we want to watch something, we go to a local restaurant, order a couple sodas to justify sitting there, and watch their cable.  A couple weeks ago, the guys had to watch the college national championship.  During that time, Nicaragua's president - Daniel Ortega - was speaking and cut off every other channel in the country.

It's moments like these you just laugh and say "que vida la nica!"

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Tesoros De Dios

For the past 6 months or so, I worked in the emergency department at Fairfax Hospital.  The job was invaluable (shoutout to the scribes! :) as it provided an intimate experience with healthcare in terms of both medicine and the healthcare system.  This past week, I was rocked to the core as I experienced healthcare in Nicaragua for the first time.

Manna hosted a group of occupational therapy students who traveled to volunteer in a school for special needs children called Tesoros De Dios.  The occupational therapy students partnered with 2 doctors, a nurse practitioner, speech therapist, physical therapist, and psychologist from the States who diagnosed, evaluated, and recommended treatment for the children.  

I had an amazing opportunity to observe the healthcare providers evaluate children.  One child new to the program had an incredibly complicated condition resulting from a glucocorticosteroid deficiency which involved several body systems.  He was deaf, blind in the left eye, hypoglycemic, had low muscle tone - just to name a few.  At the ER in the US, with a couple clicks of the mouse, we were able to access years and years worth of medical records w/in seconds.  Here in Nicaragua, the child’s mom brought in folders containing previous evaluations, Xrays, lab results, etc.  Some of the important papers had been folded so often that the print had vanished among the creases, and it was incredibly difficult to piece together the medical history to adequately evaluate and treat.

While healthcare remains a hot topic of debate in the US, for the most part we all have access to care, and insurance makes expensive treatment possible for those in need.  Here in Nicaragua, the doctors focused heavily on costs of treatment vs. benefits.  In particular, there was one child with cerebral palsy who was ideally recommended to have Botox injections for his legs.  The injections would relax his tight muscles to allow for stretching to improve range of motion.  The injections totaled $300 – close to a year’s salary for many Nicaraguans.  It was ultimately decided to not opt for Botox until the condition became so severe that the mom couldn’t move the boy’s legs to change the diaper.  It was more important to keep food on the family's table for as long as possible.  Wow - what a reality check.

Tesoros De Dios translates to Treasures Of God, and I could not think of a more perfect phrase to describe these sweet children.  Here are some pictures of this amazing place.  Photo credits to Sarah from the OT group :)

to begin the school day, each child gets an instrument and plays along to music.  the result? instant smiles.

one of the US doctors listening to a child's lungs

a bus drives around the communities picking up children and parents for school.  the moms carry the children each day.  many don't have wheel chairs at all because they are expensive and difficult to maneuver around the Nicaraguan terrain.

horse therapy helps improve the children's core strength and sensory intake.  the horses are calming, provide a means of relaxation and fun!

one small view of the facility. Emily-this picture's for you. See the trees hanging from the ceiling that we made last summer? :)


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Manna house

I volunteered with Manna for 1 month this past summer as a summer volunteer and have decided to come back as a Program Director for a longer term.  Manna prides itself on taking a "holistic community approach" involving itself in the community through a range of programs including English classes, Child Sponsorship nutrition program, soccer and baseball teams, business development, and women's exercise.  (I'll talk much, much more about programs as I get more involved).  One of my favorite things about Manna is the living situation.  I live w/ 9 other American volunteers and our house is near the communities we work w/ enabling us to spend a good amount of time developing relationships.  Here are some pictures of my crib!!

our kitchen

possibly my absolute favorite part of the house. picture was taken from the poolhouse looking towards the main house.

 my side of the room! My roommate is a girl named Megan who recently graduated from Tech (and has definitely been reminded of who won the football game ;) duuuuuukes!)

our closet

the bathroom that Megan and I share. notice the trash can next to the toilet. that's where we put our used toilet paper. the Nicaraguan sewage system can't handle toilet paper being flushed. 

Monday, January 10, 2011

goodbye

In Nicaragua, people who pass each other while out and about say “adios” similar to how we say hello/hi/hey/what’s up/etc in the States.  When the gringos (term Nicaraguans use for white people) walk by, the Nicaraguans try to impress us with their English, so they say “goodbye.”  I still laugh because it just sounds so backwards.

However, goodbye is just the perfect word to describe my life right now.  I left for Nicaragua this past Friday.  I said goodbye in America to family, my friends and boyfriend, my dog.  Goodbye to warm showers, water pressure, dryers, automatic cars, television, high speed internet, flushing toilet paper, winter coats, dollars, my cell phone, my comfort zone.

In Nicaragua, it’s “goodbye” to central time, gorgeous sunny weather, rice and beans, clotheslines, tevas, bathing suits, fans, mean guard dogs, dusty dirt roads, Spanish, bug spray and sunblock, hammocks, the pool, leisure time.  “Goodbye” to a group of 9 fellow Manna volunteers and countless community members involved with our programs.  

My journey down to Central America was not uneventful.  Chaos started in Orlando where American Airline’s computer system went down.  I had to re-check in and all flights were severely delayed.  When I arrived at my next connection in Miami, I olympic sprinted through the airport to get to my next gate to make my flight which was supposed to leave 5 min after I landed.  I made it to the gate which had stopped boarding but was waiting for a delayed captain and BEGGED a security guard to let me in.  I was that person on the plane who arrived super late and looked in nearly every baggage compartment to find room for my carry on.  Lo siento (sorry) about it!  

Those of you who have seen me recently know I’ve had a terrible case of a cold.  I blame my worn out immune system on constant exposure to every viral illness known to man in the ER and a weird/lack of sleep schedule due to my ER shifts.  When I arrived in Nicaragua, customs made me fill out a health sheet.  In the past 10 days, have I had: cough, nasal congestion, chills, headache?  I said no but apparently couldn’t fool the Nicaraguan physician.  I did play straight up dumb pretending like I didn’t understand a single Spanish word he was saying when he asked to take my temperature and threatened to put me in a quarantine room.  Luckily, he got frustrated and gave up.

Almost there.  Last step was baggage claim then I was on my way to settle into the Manna house.  So I waited and waited…and waited for my bags only to realize they had not made it on the plane w/ me.

Day 1.  Nicaragua: 1 and Joanna: 0.  But I still could not be more excited to be here.  A nice man named Omar delivered my bags the next day.  Thank goooodness.  I’ll post some pictures of the house later so you can see where I’m living :) 

Paz y amor!

pura vida



If I were to ever get a tattoo, I would get “Pura Vida” inked in some fancy lettering.  (I’m not… no worries Mom :) )  The Spanish phrase “Pura Vida” literally translates in English to “pure life” but has a much more profound meaning and has become a way of life in Costa Rica.  Pura Vida embodies a philosophy where life should be enjoyed leisurely, celebrated to the fullest, and challenged to overcome difficulties with a resilient and happy spirit.  My mom and I volunteered in a health clinic in Costa Rica a couple summers ago.  She doesn’t speak a word of Spanish (seriously, "hola" hysterically came out as "halo"), but our host family told her the only two words she would need to know were Pura Vida.  

My blog is named Pura Nica because I hope to bring all that goes along w/ the Pura Vida philosophy to my life in Nicaragua.  As most of you probably already know, I will be volunteering until April with Manna Project International.  I’ve created the blog to keep you up to date on my foreign adventures,  to let you know how we’re working to improve and build relationships with surrounding communities, and to raise awareness about this special country.

Why Nicaragua?

The facts: Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere behind Haiti. One in four children is born to a teenage mother.  One third of the adult population cannot read and write.  One in three children suffers from some form of malnutrition.

My story:  I fell in love with Nicaragua 3 years ago when I traveled on a spring break trip through the Nicaraguan Orphan Fund at JMU.  During my first night, one of the trip leaders shared his past experience with Nicaragua in the context of “Nicaragua always wins.”  He spoke about tales of illness from the foreign food, sunburn, soccer matches with the locals, unexpected need for change in plans…Nicaragua always won.  I served Nicaragua by collecting material donations, loving orphans and spreading joy throughout La Chureca during el Dia De Luz.  However, by the end of the trip, I felt like Nicaragua had “won” once again and ended up serving me in a bigger way.  In brief, my foundation was shaken, and the experience was incredible.  I’m excited to give back to a community which has had such a vital role in shaping the person I’ve become today.

Thanks for taking an interest in my adventures!  I'm excited to keep you updated :) dale pues amigos!