22 september 2013

A new challenge coming my way ...

On Monday, 5 September 2011, I wrote:


It's just over two months after I first wandered the streets of Granada. Although people still stare at me like I'm some kind of extra-terrestrial creature, I do not consider the Nicas to be strangers anymore. I see them every day, I work with them, they've become my friends. It's strange to think about these things, but then I realize that it might be worth to make a mental picture of it all, an image of what life is like in the streets of Granada. This way there is the slightest chance that I will remember this image when I return to the Western world, on the other side of the ocean.








I first set foot in Granada about two years ago. I do not have the feeling that I've ever left though. I still think it's one of the most beautiful places in Nicaragua. Granada has about 118,000 inhabitants, but you wouldn't say so when you wander the streets. The city's center is tiny, you can get anywhere on foot. It's the villages on the outskirts that make the population rise. From every part of Nicaragua, people come to Granada in the hope of finding happiness here. The outskirts or 'barrios' are overpopulated and people live in situations of extreme poverty.

Granada's greatest appeal are the people, who are very open and extremely genuine. My motivation to do what I do, my work for the NGO, the classes I teach at the university, is basically the result of the people's friendliness. Helping them gives you so much satisfaction, because they give you at least as much in return.

What is it exactly that I do for La Esperanza Granada?
Since I left two years ago, La Esperanza hasn't changed that much. Pauline is still the one that takes care of everything, and every now and then there is a volunteer that will stay long enough to take on part of the administration. The first time I went to the office about two months ago, it felt like I was just picking up where I left off. Although that is partly true, I feel like I am much more motivated and prepared to go a lot further this time around.


For the most part I work as the second volunteer coordinator. Donald, our local coordinator, takes care of the volunteer orientation and makes sure everything runs smoothly in the schools. The preliminary steps are my responsibility: I spread the word about the volunteer opportunities, I take care of the correspondence with new volunteers, making practical arrangements such as airport transportation, volunteer accommodations, preparing our weekly meeting, etc.

Besides that ...
I have a new challenge coming my way this week: the HSS Program or High School Sponsorship Program. About a hundred students from different Granada neighborhoods receive a yearly scholarship through La Esperanza Granada to go to high school. Without this scholarship many of these students wouldn't even go to secondary school. The sponsor pays about $185/year which covers a uniform, shoes, a backpack, notebooks and pens, but also a visit to the dentist, an eye exam and two excursions a year. The kids go to school every day between 7 and 12 AM, and in the afternoon they get additional tutoring, English and computer classes. The HSS Program requires quite a bit of time and energy, since sponsors get frequent updates through report cards, letters and pictures from their student as well as a regular newsletter with extra information and important news from the school. We also encourage sponsors to get in touch with their students on a regular basis. The HSS Program is an enriching experience for both student and sponsor.


                                                                          © La Esperanza Granada - Nueva Esperanza Secundaria
When Pauline asked me to start working on this program, it didn't take long for me to decide. It is simply amazing to be working on a project that actually makes a difference. Every single day I get to work on something that changes the future of dozens of children! It is also beautiful to be part of Nica life this way ... they don't consider me a 'voluntaria' or 'extranjera' anymore, no, they now know me as Anka from La Esperanza.

"It's just over two months after I first wandered the streets of Granada. Although people still stare at me like I'm some kind of extra-terrestrial creature, I do not consider the Nicas to be strangers anymore. I see them every day, I work with them, they've become my friends."


Tatiana, Ramón, Donald y Anka