Last Day at Escuela Especial

          Today was an eventful and emotional day. We spent a while in the store yesterday afternoon buying a whole lot of groceries for the party at Escuela Especial today. We created bags of soap, toothpaste, oil, rice, beans, and other items to give to the families. We also created individualized bags for each one of the students.
          To start the day off AJ and I played kick ball with the students who are deaf. This was an interesting yet sometimes a difficult part of my day. But, about 5 minutes into the pick-up game of kickball, everyone knew what was going on and it was one of the best moments of this trip. Then, I spent some time in Ana-Maria's 1st grade classroom. I tried to spend time with all of the kids knowing it was my last day at the school. I then ventured to the 3rd grade classroom. After that I went in to the arts and crafts room to find only one student in there. Teresa was the lone student in that room so I worked with her until it was time to help with the party.
          It was so great to see that most of the families we had invited to Escuela Especial's party had attended today. We set up chairs and desks outside and the group was handing out plates of food and a cup of Fanta to each person. Everyone there was so grateful for what they were given. I watched as many of the people savored their drinks and then we came out with full bottles of Fanta and their eyes lit up with joy. Some of the students who are deaf drank 3 or 4 cups of soda. Another thing we handed out was fruit. Even though we didn't have any utensils for them to use they were still grateful and enjoyed every bit of it. The last, and probably most exciting, part of the party was the pinata. This pinata was a giant blue horse. The kids were so excited when the candy was falling to the ground. Each and everyone of the kids had pockets full of candy.
          The most depressing part of the day was each and every one of the good-byes. The emotions inside me now are still so raw it is hard to write about. I am still to this very moment, having flashbacks. Every good, bad, happy, or sad moment, I am constantly thinking of those times. Every single kid on that school bus has a piece of me with them and a piece of them will always be with me. Tears ran down everyone's faces and memories were racing through our minds as the bus pulled off, some of the kids knowing we will not be back on Monday and some not knowing. The hardest part for me is not knowing when I will get to see these kids again, but what I do know is that for a fact, my good-byes that I said today are not forever and I will see these kids again someday.

Amazing Day

          Waking up early this morning has never been so easy. Knowing that I will get to see theses kids for even just 4 hours of my day, is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. This feeling is in line next to making these kids smile. I would like to experience this feeling everyday for the rest of my life. This trip has shown me to put my heart and soul into whatever activity I am doing. Maybe it can change the world.

          Today, I started in the 1st grade classroom with Zulema, Julio, Chirstofer, and Maria Jose. Maria Jose was always interested in what was going on around her and couldn't focus on her work. This was my first goal of the day, make Maria Jose focus on her work for even just 30 seconds. Her teacher had drawn shapes on the sheet of paper that Maria was supposed to fill in. Every time I would try and make her focus on her work she would be distracted by someone coming into the classroom or her neighboring student Cristofer. Finally, as I was about to switch classrooms I got her to focus on her work for about thirty seconds and try to fill in the shapes her teacher had drawn. I left that room with a success and I was ready for the next one. 

          The next classroom I worked in was the arts and crafts room. I had so many achievements in that classroom. In that room we were working on writing. Nicole had a worksheet that every girl in the classroom  was working on. This worksheet had pictures of animals and a word bank with the names of the animals in it.  My goal involving the worksheet was the have Diana match all the animals correctly and write them correctly. She did it!

          After lunch, I noticed a girl name Teresa having trouble writing letters in her notebook. As I watched her, I noticed she would write the letter almost perfectly and then erase it. Her paper had big grey marks from where she had erased so much. She also wore her eraser on her pencil all the way down to the metal part. After watching this, I knew she just need some encouragement. I would say positive phrases to her about her work and every time I did she would smile and start on the next letter. She then became proud of her work and tried to only erase the letters that weren't in her neatest hand writing. 

          Overall today was one of the best days at Escuela Especial. 

Time Flies

          I can't believe it is already Wednesday! I am so grateful for this opportunity to travel this country and work with these amazing kids. Everyday these kids' minds are expanding and growing and it is a privilege to help and assist them through it!
         Today, I worked with the 1st and 3rd graders. In the first grade classroom, a student named Zulema was so excited to have another person from our group working with her. She loved to draw and to just be in your company. Another amazing student from the first grade classroom named Astrid was enjoying AJ and I's company and working on vocabulary. She really improved and new what all the words were, she even acted them out for us. I played soccer with a boy named Estrenyer. He really enjoyed to play soccer and he also really liked it when I would slip on the floor while trying to get the ball. Another special moment of the day was when I gave a bag of Skittles to one of the classrooms for the deaf. It is amazing to see how significant those little moments and items are to them.
          A student named Diana was talking to me today and I kept hearing her say the name Meaghan (Meaghan was a student on the previous trip). Hearing her say her name and remeber her so well was so heartwarming. I am so blessed to be here and to be a part of these extordinary kids' lives. I cannot wait to work and play soccer with some more kids tomorrow and on Friday.

The Second Day Working with the Kids

          I started off the day with a teacher named Auxiliadora and her students. When I got there, her students were in the kitchen preparing the lunch for the day and cleaning up the cafeteria. When they were finished with the cleaning, they went back to their room to participate in arts and crafts. We had brought some paint and marker donations for them and they were ecstatic to be using those supplies. A girl in the class I was helping with would not stop smiling at you. Every time I looked up at her, she had the biggest smile on her face. 

          After working in that classroom, I went to spend time with a little boy named Francisco. Francisco was usually upset. He would leave the classroom and walk out to where the bus pulled up and point. We figured he missed his parents. My goal for the day was to make Francisco smile. Eventually, I did make him smile by tickling him. This really warmed my heart and his smile made me smile. 

          Unfortunately, Tania was not there today, but I hope she will be at school tomorrow. As I was driving away from the school, I realized the true power of a smile. Smile at everyone, it could save a life or make a day. Every time we smile at the kids we are giving the kids the love they deserve and crave. Overall today was fabulous and a successful day!

Working with the Kids and Home Visits

          6:15 A.M. was the beginning of today. After waking up we collected our things for the school and took the van to the school. We arrived at the school around 7:30 and were immediately greeted by hugs and smiles from two of the students, which was a great start to the day. From there, Gena and I went to work with the kids in the first grade classroom. This classroom had five students and one teacher. As Gena and I sat down around the table, a student named Tatiana grabbed our hands and didn't let go until it was time to color. Another little girl, Michael, was crazy. She had so much energy. Gena and I were already in the room when Michael came in and when she saw us, her face lit up and a huge smile spread across her face. 

          The later part of the morning I was working in the deaf classroom. The moment I stepped into the classroom I could feel the positive energy. As I sat down and watched the teachers teach in sign language and the students sign back, I was mesmerized by it all. A student named Tania in the deaf classroom was very smart and loved to watch what we were all doing. 

          In the afternoon, AJ and I went on home visits. To get to the homes we took a taxi. The taxi had a driver, two people in the passenger seat, and four people in the back row. 

          At the first house we visited we met a little boy named David Antonio, who is three years old, and his parents. David was dropped on his head when he was nine months old and now he has a leisure in his brain. The leisure causes David to have seizures. His parents had him taking his medication for nine month but then took him off of them because they were giving him heart problems. David also has eye problems. In really hot weather David's eyes would get really dry and he would complain about a burning feeling in his eyes. To help this problem,the parents had a cream for David's eyes if he had the burning sensation. This house was a little odd and we were unsure of what went on there. 

          The second house we went to was Carlos Jesus's house. He has a condition called Mioclonia. This condition causes Carlos to have seizures. Fortunately, Carlos has not had a seizure since October of 2012. Carlos was on his medication and his parents seemed very nice. 

          The moment that effected me greatly today was when we were at David Antonio's house. David is an only child and does not live with his dad. Yet, when visiting the house, we saw more men, women, and children in the house. We were told by our translator that this family was sharing this house with other families. This house was about as big as a classroom in Battle Mountain High School. 

First Day at Escuela Especial

         Today was an amazing start to an amazing trip. We began the day by waking up at 6:15 A.M., which was incredibly difficult considering we arrived at the hotel at around 1:00 A.M. the night before. From there we ate breakfast at the hotel and took a van to the school. When we arrived at the school we met the principal, Juana, and then almost immediately started to clean the school. Everyone was thrilled to be there and had amazing attitudes throughout the day. We took a tour of the school and were told which classrooms we would be in for the next day. Tomorrow we will meet the kids and start to work with them. 

          As we left the school, our group finally had a chance to see Nicaragua. (It was dark when we landed) This drive and for the first time seeing Nicaragua had a huge impact on me. Seeing how simply and contently these people and many other people around the world live is amazing. Coming from a place having virtually everything at your finger tips and to be utterly obsessed, with what I now see, as privileges and not necessities, it is amazing to see the simplicity in which one could live. 

         Today we made many great memories and got a lot of sunburned necks. I cannot wait for tomorrow when we will start to work with the kids.

First Blog

Hi everyone! This spring break I will be going on an adventure with Children's Global Alliance to Nicaragua. In Nicaragua we will be helping children with special needs and the school that they are attending. I am so excited for this trip in April and I thank everyone who has supported me and donated to this trip.