As Told By Jules

Yo to big fo yo britches!

2012-01-18T15:08:00.007-05:00

As you all have come to know I love to travel, volunteer, study and work with families in Central America. I love Guatemala and Nicaragua like they were my second homes. I have strong opinions and beliefs when it comes to these beautiful yet seriously impoverished lands.

There is nothing that will set me off any quicker than debating ‘CAFTA’ or ‘development’ with someone.

I have educated myself pretty nicely in these areas and feel confident when I take on the debate that you will see things through another pair of eyes when I am done.

I have been to some of the poorest corners of the western hemisphere. I have also been to some of the wealthiest. I have witnessed firsthand some of the evils of American greed and though I am proud to be an American I am ashamed of the branding we have left everywhere.

Years ago a dear friend from Zimbabwe and I were chatting, when she asked why I want to travel and volunteer teach, I replied, “I want to see the world, share my experience, strength and hope and would like to have my new friends share theirs with me. It hurts my heart to know so many hate Americans and I would like to know why…” She looked at me with the biggest, softest eyes and said eerily, “Do you really want to know that answer?” That has haunted me every trip since.

Flash forward, to today, I have been working diligently at raising funds and accepting donations for the past few months as I do with each trek I make to Central America. I have been working an incredible number of hours at my job. I have been writing to organizations and reaching out to anyone who will listen, anyone with a website, e-mail, -àANYONE. I raised the bar in hopes to bring some much needed items to Nicaragua in March.

I know that I do not possess the ability to change the world. I just want to make a contribution, give back, do on to others…It’s not a difficult concept.

It’s called compassion.

The thing about living in the grand old USA is we have “access” to the internet, telephone, someone who knows someone in power, and I have been working it for all I can. I have to tell you I have experienced a big FAIL!

I am so frustrated and unimpressed.

I have utilized services for fundraising collections online and found they are a bit of a scam…Did you know they charge you hidden fees?? Ya, I was impressed. I read the fine print too, I just didn’t particularly think it was funny to sell an item for charity and have to actually pay the company more than what it sold for, then have the moron that bought it complain, it was a day later than they wanted it. I really wanted to reach through my computer and knock a few heads together. BUT nice me didn’t I simply paid the fee, took the knock on the chin and shirked it off as a bad experience not to be repeated.

The countless number of hours I have been putting in at my job to pay my bills and raise the cash I will need for moving around in Nicaragua has worn me down. I am about as annoyed as one can get with hearing everyone’s complaining about needing to; smoke or how they haven’t had a break or that they are tired, yet turn around a pickle their liver after a shift or smoke their little brains out getting high so they can escape the reality of being an adult and party half the night. Seriously, do you not get that I am not the least bit interested…I am at work to earn a living. Furthermore, I could care less about some of the minutia drama from the corporate takeover we have been cursed with (yes I said cursed) and the toddling tyranny.

As for these, charitable organizations that have offices in the USA and branches all over the world…helping oooooh soooooo many. I have written to companies, organizations, firms and more, trying to get; information, assistance, donations and/or money for: Spanish coloring books, text books, children’s literature, education materials for healthy livings i.e. drinking water, hand washing and teeth brushing. The only organization to respond has been the CDC and they were not that helpful. Conclusion –it always comes back to this. The USA is just too darn big for its britches! Way too big!! We are over developed to the MAX and under aware. I am over it!

I make a conscious effort to respond to every inquiry and post to my blog, email, twitter and fan page. Why because I love what I do, I love talking about what I do and I love sharing what I do. I do my best to respond in three languages, English being the one I am best at and I respond within 24 hours or less.

For me these non-responders only strengthen my desire to walk away from the, cooperate-dorks of the world. As if I didn’t know it before…I would rather do business locally or go without. Thanks.

I hope that all of my amazing friends and family the world over who contributes in making my travel possible knows that you are precious individuals…just in case I haven’t told you yet today. Who you are and what you do, for me, my projects and for you and yours is simply second to NONE!

I have a goal one day of heading up an organization that works toward providing materials and volunteers to improve the lives of others but, I do not want to become one of those hated American organizations that makes promises they can’t deliver.

Crap fair frenzy…nope that’s not a typo!

2012-01-11T02:17:00.000-05:00

It’s been a bit since my last blog. I have been super busy with work and some of my family came home so I decided to give blogging a little break and return to it after the holidays besides, I am sure all of you were really busy too. I hope everyone had amazing and happy holidays with your friends and family!

During my last blog, I mentioned my craft friends’ idea to host a craft fair as a fundraiser for my upcoming trip back to Nicaragua, well she did it!

February 25

9a-4p

Waterville Grand Hotel

Waterville, Maine

We are having a super fun, super exciting Crap Fair!

I love the name! It fits perfectly with my philosophy of us having too much CRAP to begin with and tossing it in the garbage does not solve the problem. I believe in RE’s recycling, reusing, refinishing, reselling, rearranging –just no more reeeeediculous buying of MORE!

As the past few weeks have progressed many of the projects encompassed under the Crap Fair umbrella have begun progressing as well. I have started putting together posters for vendors and myself, along with ideas and thoughts for the next classroom visit, a slide show from this falls Nica trip, and a scrapbook to share with everyone (classes, Pancake Breakfast friends & Crap Fair guests). Ahhh the memories…I look forward to returning.

I was googling one night and stumbled upon what I thought was an awesome website for children's books written in Spanish. Thinking, I was so smart I started putting an order together. I even posted the companies link on my facebook fanpage encouraging friends to buy a book and donate it toward the trip….it wasn’t long after, I had message from my crafty friend letting me know she had already booked a table with the very same company I had just discovered. I thought wow!! This girl is on it and well so much for my being a smarty pants.

What developed in the following giggling moments of two girls working so hard to achieve the same goal was a CHALLENGE. I wrote to our contact from the book company and proposed that she have all the books she could get on hand in Spanish to sell at the Crap Fair, I told her no matter what they would be bought. My logic is if a shopper is there and wants to make a donation we have supply in demand. She agreed and turned around and made me an offer that blew me away. She offered rock bottom discounts and to donate her profits. I was stunned. I haven’t even met this lady.

That’s the power of this project. Complete strangers want to help. I remember my father sitting with me before I left last fall saying, “People want to help they just don’t always know how. You are the how. They see what you do and want to help you.”

One of my awesome high school friends offered to donate towards our raffle one of her amazing Diaper Cakes, a craft she is very well known for in our community. Anyone having a baby or needing the perfect baby shower gift must buy or give one of these!

On the heels of that conversation, came a message from another very dear high school girlfriend who is a Massage Therapist. She wrote to me wanting to participate and offered to set up a booth and do chair messages donating her profits to the trip and offering a gift certificate to raffle off.

My amazing soap designer gal pal has been working diligently at creating pine scented soap for the Nicaragua students and plumeria scented soaps for the Maine students; which we also will have on hand at the Crap Fair. I am working with a program to educate children about proper hand washing and why it is so important, sharing a scent from each others homelands only makes learning that much more fun.

A very near and dear friend of mine who has really worked hard these past two years, putting herself through college and doing AMAZING things with her life, is a very talented photographer and has volunteered to photo journal the Pancake Breakfast and Crap Fair. I am so pleased and excited to have her keen eye and talents capturing every moment along the way.

The organizer of the Crap Fair and super talented jewelry designer, whom I cannot rave wildly enough good things about, has spent countless hours at home with her little daughters crafting beads to string on charm bracelets to put in the kids backpacks. I love to buy bracelets when I travel as souvenirs and give them to my friends when I get home so why not make some Maine designed charms and give them as mementoes to the Nicaraguan kids…Which, yes, will be available to purchase as a donation to the trip at the Crap Fair.

The sisterhood, the support, the women in business, helping other women to help others is simply phenomenal. I cannot thank these beautiful talented ladies for the unwavering support they give to me and my projects. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by angels both here and abroad.

A long time ago my beautiful Roja and I talked about the many layers of these trips and the tying of worlds together, this indeed is another layer that fills my heart and soul with joy knowing, I come from a place and a people, that truly cares about something greater than themselves.

And there is so much more that I haven’t even begun to wrap my head around.

Off to piece together some posters for the fair…heaven knows I need a big head start as I am not nearly as talented as these ladies are...

Hasta luego!

Fundraising

Santa Claus has gone to town...

2011-12-13T16:25:00.001-05:00

Little more than a week ago I rolled out some fundraising thoughts and with no more than the click of a button, my laptop and cell phone started blowing up…

A childhood friend contacted me about connecting her daughters’ classroom to the school I will be visiting in Nicaragua. I am so thankful to have her in my corner, every trip, every time, she is always the first one to call, text, email, share, send or like the projects I am involved with. The long awaited meeting is tomorrow afternoon. I cannot wait to announce the classroom to you all!!

My Christian friends came to me when they heard I was going back to Nicaragua and said, “You know, it should go without saying, you can count on us for our gift.” 24 Spanish bibles sharing the Christian message with our little friends in Nicaragua is both a privilege and an honor to participate in.

A wonderful friend and alumnae of Colby College reached out to me about making a donation. I was thrilled to receive her donation but even more so thrilled to hear from her. She is a beautiful lady doing beautiful things with her life and she took the time to want donate to something I am passionate about…Thank you!

I always wonder who is reading my blogs…it’s a lot more people than I thought for. A fellow, alumni of my girlfriend had contacted me over the summer and I will never forget his encouraging me to keep writing. He told me even if I was writing for myself it was a good thing but I should be aware the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of places are likely following along. I am seeing now exactly what he meant.

I have wonderful friends who love to share what I am doing with their friends for example, I loved passing by and overhearing them talk about things like the upcoming pancake breakfast and the backpacks project. I simply loved one friend who introduced me to his mom and aunties and as I walked away I overheard the mother say, “that’s the one he was talking about at home…” This is how we do it…spreading the word. One friend tells another and they tell another and suddenly we have backpacks in the hands of alllll those children.

I have some crafty gal pals who are wives of friends from high school and men I work with who are just wonderful people. One night last week before logging off for the night I read a status and thought I saw my name in it. I quickly went to the page of my friend and my eyes filled up with tears when reread what it said. This beautiful lady was encouraging her children, friends, and daycare families to donate gently used books to me, so I can resell them on Amazon. There is no way I can describe how that made me feel…I went to bed that night and I all I wanted to do was give her the biggest hug and tell how grateful I was that she had come into my life.

My girlfriends, you know the ones you divulge your every last secret too, turn to for advice or can rely on to set you straight and keep you grounded…We have become even closer since my return…We love each other and I love that they don’t let my projects dominate our friendship. They let me be Jules without the fundraiser, humanitarian, student, teacher, cloak…It is nice to just relax sometimes and be a woman. Though, I will say my bestie thinks I should host an indoor yard sale pre-Nica and it is on the table and being given serious consideration.

On a craft fair mission, keeping with my commitment to shop local, I met up with the same crafty lady that is hosting the book drive in her daycare and we talked about a potential craft fair for Nica…WOW! I was overwhelmed with emotion at the sheer mention of it. I am always taken aback by the generosity of others, when it comes to backing me or my projects. There will be more to come on this in the very near future. It was quite a moment standing beside this woman, my friend, and hearing her excitedly shoot out ideas for fundraising and having our mutual friends chime in offering their ideas…a serious case of network unfolded right in front of me.

Last week at work, a secret Santa came to town; a truly amazing and wonderful friend carrying the grandest box of school supplies I have ever seen. Santa you are a sweetheart! I brought that box home and went through all that you gave to the children –your donation alone has ¾ of the backpacks for one classroom filled. I am still speechless.

Thank you all for everything that you do, have done and continue to do…you are all blessings in my life and I am very fortunate to have you in my life.

Fundraising

Funds they are a raising...

2011-12-07T16:55:00.003-05:00

For me, having the first few days off each week from work, means rolling up my sleeves and getting to work early on my volunteer projects and bulldozing through, often burning the midnight oil trying to accomplish some seemingly impossible goals/tasks.

The past two weeks with the guidance of a good friend AsTold By Jules the blog as gone under some serious construction, hopefully you all will enjoy the finished product as much as we do. I wanted it to be more readable and to connect social networking sites such as facebook and twitter to the blog. I also wanted to learn how to publicize the blog better and really drive visitors to the page. Please feel free to post a comment letting us know your thoughts as you’re the one reading it…

You will notice on the top right hand column of the blog a donations button now ready and working using both paypal and google shopper for your convenience. Many, many friends have written to me that live afar wanting to support the projects restricted or otherwise and have found the donation button to be the best means for them.

I learned a lot in my fundraising days at Colby; good and bad, and have utilized a lot of the trials and errors in designing what I think is a pretty darn good webpage for appealing, donating, educating, and informing. Of course, the page is ever changing and growing but I am growing into my own style of branding and finding what works for Jules.

In networking I have been able to organize a couple of fundraising projects which have me very excited for the upcoming trip in March and proudly I would like to announce that this is a fully sponsored trip.

First, is a Complimentary Pancake Breakfast that will be held at the Waterville, Maine Applebee’s on February 19^th. Details are in the previous blog, can found on the facebook fan page and, in the right hand column on the blog page. Essentially, what I am offering is a pancake breakfast to each person who brings a backpack that morning, and backpacks are described in more depth in the prior blog and on the facebook fan page. I think this will be an exciting opportunity for those wanting to contribute and to meet with me in person as well as have a great breakfast.

Secondly, I have been working diligently at creating an Amazon sellers account to “Lighten the Load” my goal here is to resell used books and designated the funds towards purchasing educational materials for school children. As you already know, As Told By Jules works with school children in the USA and Central America donating backpacks and forging friendships through penpal letters. At present I have over 100 books listed and have sold 12 in the past two days.

Third, a continued effort in the “Closet Cleaning” process carries on at Retail Therapy in Waterville, Maine. If you are interested please stop by there are; purses, scarves, belts, boots, shoes, pants, shirts, dresses, jackets and jewelry displayed in Brenda’s boutique. I hope you will check it out.

This coming year, 2012, As Told By Jules will be donating $500 to Casa Rosario providing a one year education for two Guatemalan’s and in honor of my ten beautiful children, niece and nephew ( Aicha, Jami, Roja, Martin, TJ, Hieu, Josie, Mari, Alexandra & Dimitri ) much need school supplies to Common Hope, and naturally through my own backpack project another 50 students will receive school supplies both in USA and Nicaragua.

Once the spring arrives, which winter has yet to really hit the northeast corridor, therefore I have no idea when this will be…I will be hosting an “RE” project. If you have been following the blog you know how passionate I have become about RE’s; recycle, reduce, reuse. A yard sale downsizing some of my personal over-stocked-ness and providing people in my area with some relatively good condition second hand items along with utilizing the funds generated to follow through with the afore mentioned projects in Central America.

Thank for your continued support and stay tuned as this year is shaping up to be even more exciting than the years past.

Fundraising

Backpacks for Nica, Pancakes, You & ME!

2011-12-05T02:31:00.005-05:00

A Complimentary Pancake Breakfast

At Applebee’s in Waterville

With Jules as your server

LL Beans famous backpack

Jules

Suitcase full of backpacks

Sunday

February 19, 2012

8am-10am

With your donation of 1 stuffed backpack for Nicaragua ’12

$5.00 donation towards the backpack

*Goal*

Collect 48 backpacks - 24 for a Central Maine classroom - 24 for a Nicaraguan classroom.

Raise $250 to cover the carry on fees with the airlines.

Students in Nicaragua at La Escuela de Panama

Students at Vassalboro Community School

What goes in a backpack?

Supplies

1 gallon size ziplock back containing

1 Composition Notebook

1 Blue Ink Pen

1 Black Ink Pen

1 Red Ink Pen

2 Pencils

1 Pink Eraser

1 Box of Color Crayons

1 Box of Colored Pencils

1 Highlighter (yellow)

1 Pair of children’s scissors

1 Glue Stick

1 Wooden Ruler

1 Bar of homemade soap

1 children size toothbrush

1 tube of toothpaste

~ Happy Thanksgiving ~ Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias ~

2011-11-24T11:03:00.009-05:00

As midnight struck in the US, and Thanksgiving Day fell upon us, I sat in front of my computer mulling over the, ‘to do’ list for Thanksgiving Dinner, and was overcome with gratitude for the many blessings that have filled my life. I have a lot to be thankful for this year; the truth is I feel I am incredibly blessed.

This year I had the amazing opportunity to spend several weeks in Guatemala with a new-old friend; Jewels. A friend who became a treasured gem in my world; together we were granted the fortune of volunteering building houses, picking coffee, and studying Spanish. We met countless wonderful people working for a number of organizations that do some pretty amazing things and we met some of the most beautiful people living in some of the most impoverished of conditions. I am blessed to have her in my life.

I think it was there where my journey of recognizing my blessings began.

Boarding the plane to return to my life in America, I realized I had become very complacent in my life and really hadn’t taken a good long hard look at all of the blessings I have. Somewhere on the drive back in the middle of a blizzard that night I stopped and said, “Thank you God.”

I couldn’t get the words out fast enough and the tears fell like rain from my eyes. I had been in a place where people had nothing and complained about even less. I had been in a place where choices were few, rights were fewer, and freedoms were even less than that. A place where jobs, education, nutrition, healthcare, home owning, vehicle owning, personal protection, clean water, the gamete are virtually nonexistent yet, every man, woman and child I met greeted each day with a renewed sense of joy, happiness and zest for life.

The day prior I had been on top of a volcano which had recently erupted and decimated an entire village its venomous lava had spread a now thick layer of black ash and soot from peak to valley. Blanketing a once vibrant green tropical mountain top with nothing but darkness, yet everyone living there was filled with the brightest smiles, peace, happiness and love. Though my body was racked with pain from the hike and the twenty hours of planes, trains and automobiles, I cried not because I hurt but, because everywhere I looked I had a blessing.

I had friends to pick me up at the airport, a warm coat and winter boots, a hot meal on the table when I got home that night. A roof over my head, running water (hot at that), electricity, my own home, my own car…my family that couldn’t wait to see me and a puppy that was so excited she peed all over the floor when I walked through the door. I have my health and my job –my goodness I have A LOT. In fact I realized I have so much to be thankful for that I spent the entire summer thinking of ways to give back and spread some of these blessings….a blessing is only a true blessing when it’s shared.

I worked all spring and all summer and not just at my job.

I proudly graduated my daughter and host daughter. I am very, very proud of the accomplishments of both Jami and Roja and am truly blessed to have such fine women as my family. My daughter Jami, is the first member of my family to graduate with a college degree and the very first to ever attend grad school…For all the naysayers that said a teen mother and high school dropout could never be more than a welfare whore…Here’s my little blessing!

When a brush with a dangerous man in our community resulted in my having been put in harms way my son was the first person I told. Not a word was spoken when a loaded twelve gage was placed at the head of my bed and no arguments were had over the fact he was sleeping in my room that night. We didn’t talk about when the bastard got out of prison, we talked about how “no one eff’s with my mom.” Every mom should know her son has her back like that. I am blessed to have a protective and devoted fine young man as a son.

My family has always been loving and supportive. My sister has always been more like a bestest friend; listening, sharing, commiserating, encouraging and just always being ‘there.’ We can talk about anything and everything and it is the judge free zone. She always gets where I am coming from even when I don’t. My brother in law is more like a brother and my niece and nephew have always made me feel like I was on a pedestal, what I don’t think they realize is, it is I, who put them on the pedestal. I am so proud of my sister and her returning to college, my brother in laws continued efforts as a small business owner to not give in to the corporate muscle flexing and my head to toe pride in everything that Alex and Dimitri do; school, dance, crew, and being beautiful proactive, productive, members of their community. I am blessed to have such a beautiful loving sister and family.

As I started planning my trip to Nicaragua, people, complete strangers and lifelong friends would come up to me and ask what they could do to help make my dream come true. They wanted to help, make a contribution or tell me what a good person they thought I was. I am truly blessed to have such wonderfully supportive loving friends, both old and new. No such friends stood out anymore than my two biggest and best; MOM & DAD. It seems no matter what I do; good or bad, success or failure they are always by my side with their love and support. They have always been there and will always be there. Fact is the learning to give back and count my blessing was instilled in me by them. I am forever blessed to have them as parents.

I have a beautiful and amazing host family filled with brilliant young men and women from every corner of the world and their friendships over the years has meant more to me than words can say. I always believed and told them that I involved myself in the host family program as a way to give back…my belief is that if my son and daughter were to visit them in their country they would treat them the same way they have been treated by me, and that someday all of my children will find a way to give back. They have always gone out of their way to make me feel like I am the most special person ever, cooking for me, taking me to dinner, including me in their college lives, sharing some of their most inner thoughts, laughter and tears, appreciating and respecting our political, religious and cultural differences. This fall was one of those times; I was invited to a bbq and unsuspecting me attended. There I discovered my host children had gathered together along with many of our mutual friends to celebrate my birthday. It came at a time when my own daughter had just left to live on other side of the US and the same day my parents were to depart for Florida. I felt so blessed to have such thoughtful loving friends surround me, actually they are more than just friends, they are my FAMILY.

I took an inventory of my excess living and put the brakes on. I stopped buying because I felt like it and started buying because I needed to. I am blessed to live in a community that is full of talented people, which I can purchase locally grown and locally produced items. I continued to empty my closet of selfish living and pass it on to women in the US who need clothing and donate the proceeds to women abroad in need. I have had an overly blessed closet…

I became thankful for the forty one years I have had on this earth and the healthy life I have been granted to live and decided it was time to be a little nicer to my body and begin taking better care of it by eating, healthier and treating with a little more love. Yes I went veggie on you; I am blessed to be in good health and want to stay that way.

I planted a garden and shared it with my neighbors grandchildren it is always better to share an experience with a child they are after all the seedlings of tomorrows future…I am very blessed to have these vivacious giggling little girls as my neighbors, they are little blessings in my life and a constant reminder of my blessed childhood days on Central Ave. I started thinking in a more earth conscious way, being thankful for the environment and the planet we live on. I have made a conscious effort to leave less of a carbon foot print…I am blessed to have clean air, clean water, green grass, blue skies (well that’s up for debate) and beautiful trees and flowers all around me.

As it came time to go to Nicaragua and bring my donations with me a renewed sense of gratitude and feeling of being the one blessed enough to do this filled my soul, I had spent a large part of the summer feeling this trip was never going to happen and it did! Every hurdle I climbed every road block I stumbled over, washed away and returned to me with strength and courage. I have been blessed to have visited some of the poorest corners of the western hemisphere; visiting some of the most beautiful sites and meeting some of the most beautiful people… dining at their tables, walking their streets, working in their schools, being embraced into their way of life, culture, and language..my home away from home… I went with the intentions of bringing gifts little blessings and instead came home having been blessed. The whole trip was one giant blessing.

Two nights ago my computer chimed with an incoming message from my first host student, who is now married and in grad school, excitedly I replied back, we chatted for hours, we have always been that way…As the conversation closed she told me she often thinks back over her four years in my city and how I and my family fill her fond memories. She said we made her, a young girl from Senegal Africa, feel like a member of the family and knows no matter where she goes in the world she will always have a ‘home’ in Waterville, Maine. What she may never realize is that all of this started with her. I am blessed to have had her come into my life, she impacted my world, without her friendship a lot of the things I have gone on to do, may never have been done.

Thanksgiving may be different in its numbers around the table this year as my parents are in Florida, my sister and her family in Massachusetts, my daughter in California, my oldest two host daughters now in New York and New Hampshire and, my younger three host children are traveling about America…As Martin, TJ, Lucy and I sit down to partake in the traditional feast it doesn’t change the countless number of blessings felt in my heart.

With a full belly and even more full heart I am very grateful and blessed for my beautiful, loving, amazing, family, friends, both old and new friends, here and abroad, friends I have shared a lot with and friends I have yet to make, I am blessed to have you all…

As one journey comes to an end another is set to begin

2011-11-16T13:46:00.003-05:00

As the backpacks for Nica ’11 comes to a close plans to repeat this fantastic project have already been set into motion, and a sense of pride fills my soul.

Together we were able to accomplish a project that was merely just a dream…

-I do hope you will stay tuned for the deliverance of the letters to the American students from the Nicaraguan students.-

We put 48 back packs into the hands of 48 children in 2 countries. We bound 2 worlds together forming a friendship through pen pal writing.

The students of the Vassalboro Community School received 24 backpacks and wrote to the students at La Escuela de Panama, the Panama students received their 24 backpacks and wrote back. As my Spanish improves my ability to share our education system, culture, language and so much more will improve, thus bring a further closeness between Nicaraguan students and Maine students.

I am excited to announce that starting today and running until March 23, 2012 I will be accepting donations for the back packs for Nica ’12.

We have four months to fill a suitcase I will be carrying to Nicaragua next March.

What goes in a back pack?

1-composition notebook

1- Blue ink pens

1- Black ink pens

1- Red ink pens

2- Pencils

1- Pink eraser

1- Box of colored crayons

1- Highlighter

1 -Pair of scissors

1-Glue stick

1-Ruler

1 -Bar of soap

1-Tube of toothpaste (new items this trip)

1-Toothbrush (new items this trip)

I am accepting items or monetary donations you will find a PayPal button featured on the top right hand corner of my blog. (coming soon)

I am in search of yet another fabulous classroom in Maine to make a contribution to once again, therefore if you are a teacher, or know a teacher who might be interested in partnering up send their contact information my way.

Global Handwashing

If you are into soaps handmade, homemade, earth friendly creations and are interested in making a donation please contact me immediately. I am looking for 50 bars…I discovered an amazing website that is all about hand washing and I have downloaded a packet to bring to the schools; in English and Spanish that shows how to wash your hands and why it is so important.

If you are in the dental business and make healthy mouths your profession and would like to contribute toothbrushes and toothpaste please contact me as again I am looking for 50.

If you have followed my past trips you know that volcanic ash and acid rain is a huge problem in the remote village I have been volunteering. These beautiful children are physically plagued by; asthma, runny noses, coughs, colds, runny eyes, red and yellow eyes, and brown stained teeth. I may not possess the cure for the environmental issues or the health issues that face these kiddos but I am going to utilize the resources within my reach to aid them in a healthy life style.

I am excited to embark on yet another amazing fundraising mission with all of you as my support network. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Thank you <3

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Holding on to the language that I love:

2011-11-14T12:22:00.003-05:00

It’s been two weeks since I boarded a plane to come home…or was it left home?

Two weeks ago I was immersed in a culture, language, life and people that made me feel so welcome, as though I was a part of it, leaving it all behind was one of the most difficult things I have had to done. From the moment I landed in Houston, all Spanish ended. It was a cold hard reality. The people on the plane were not bilingual, instructions were announced only in English, the buzz from in the terminal was all English, the signs, the music, the people ENGLISH.

Yes, for all you naysayers I know we ‘speak’ English here. –Which is up for debate since the United States as never declared a national language –but that’s an argument for another day.

My head spun from the chaotic sounds of my native language crashing around me.

I much prefer walking through to smelling, dirty, crowded markets of Masaya and hearing the buzzing sounds of rolling “R’s” and “Lalalas” over the “Ayuhs” and “Ya’lls”…Call me anti-American I don’t care. I just find the Spanish language soothing to listen to.

I miss the sounds of my teacher’s voices correcting my pronunciations, the men talking as they worked at La Mariposa, I miss the ladies bantering with them every morning. I miss the accents of my friends English through their Spanish born mouths. I miss the music playing its Latin beats and Spanish songs on the radio. I miss playing with the dogs and talking to them in Spanish…I miss the chatter of the children at the schools, in their little people voices using their baby talk Spanish. I miss hearing the guy riding up and down the street calling over the loud speaker that he was collecting metal…or the sounds of someone announcing news worthy information over the loud speaker or what might be on sale at Pali.

That to me is comfortable.

I miss struggling to figure out what I am ordering in a restaurant and gambling it will be good because the menu is misspelled and cannot find the word for it in my Spanish dictionary. I miss Tonas and gallo pintos and people who know what that is.

Since my return, I have really had to fight to keep the Spanish I learned and force myself to speak it even though no one here in my state, city, house, or job does. It is super difficult. I find it fading from my mind and it makes me so sad.

I am fortunate to have some beautiful faithful friends in Nicaragua that call and check on me every Saturday night. It warms my heart to hear that thick Spanish accent breaking through the phone line in my ear, 'allllooo maaa aye speakaah Yuli.' I smile instantly and burst out in Spanish as fast as I can without tripping over my tongue; 'Sí, sí, es mí soy Juli. ¿¿Cómo estás?? Estoy tan feliz de escuchar tu voz!!' And the call goes from there. We talk for an hour or more and for those few minutes all the world is right.

When we hang up, I am exhausted but in a happy satisfied way. I will fall asleep and dream in Spanish. It’s funny how that happens.

Then in the morning I wake up and it’s back to English again.

Yesterday, I was refilling my athsma prescription and met up with my friends family, they are bilingual, when I saw his daughter I excitedly greeted her in Spanish. A very bright brown eyed, soft spoken little girl looked up at me and chatted back. I was so happy to talk to her in Spanish even for a minute and she was more than happy to talk back. It's like she knew...

This trip I learned so much and have been able to bring back a lot to share with my friends and co-workers but still Spanish is fading sadly.

I am studying it online to keep my ears tuned in. Fact is I spend most of my Saturdays at home with my headset on listening to anything in Spanish. I love Rosetta Stone, I get to hear common words and frequently used phrases, see how they are spelled, used in a sentence and can speak it back in addition to typing the words out. I love Spanish soaps for the high drama.

On Wednesdays I read and write in Spanish to keep my spelling and sentence structure practice but it is just not the same. I find myself sneaking to google to get tips way too much.

Práctica, práctica, práctica…I keep on and have begun the plans for a return trip. A return trip that just may keep me there more permanently…

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Fall, Fell, Falling, Fallen for all things Nicaragua

2011-11-04T00:18:00.008-04:00

Over the next week I had a chance to visit some of the most beautiful sites and cities, and to meet some of the fantastically talented Artisans that makeup Nicaragua.

One of my favorite stops was just up the road from the Panama School where I met a group of ladies who create the most amazing artwork out of recycled newspaper and magazines. They weave anything and everything out paper; earrings, necklaces, baskets (big and small), bags, purses, angels, and dozens of beautiful holiday ornaments. I loved the story about the Japanese student who brought them newspaper from Japan and the weft these beautiful Japanese printed ornaments, some were like giant pinwheels others were the most decorative gift bags I had seen.

Then it was off to the basket weaver of another kind. This gentleman makes bamboo baskets some of them are as much as 3 feet around. Everyone in Nicaragua uses them for carrying fresh made tortillas, maize, avocados, bananas, lemons, beans, coffee, laundry, and more. The man buys bamboo strips it by hand with a machete stripping it into narrow and wide strips. Some are cut to make a base. He says can make 3-5 per day. His wife brings them to Masaya market place to sell every day.

Then we toured yet another magnificent cathedral, the birthplace of Sandino a library and Lago de Apoyo where you can see forever!

Off to pottery lessons where a local potter shared with us he collects clay from another area in Nicaragua brings it to his home lays it out on the floor and literally dances on it in is bare feet getting ready for potting. He says he turns the music up load for about 4 hours and mixes the clay. Then they break of what they need to start creating their designs. Every pot, tray, mask, cup, plate, necklace, earrings, and dozens of other magnificent potted creations after each one is crafted, painted and hand carved it is fired off in the kiln that is wood heated at more than 850 degrees.

I absolutely loved visiting the stone maker. He was fascinating to watch as he held a random piece of pumas between his feet and chisel in his hands, hammering away until a face forms then arms, legs or more intricate details. Some of his craftsmanship’s are small and some are massive. He says he can create 4-6 small ones in a day and a day for a larger one. I brought home a miniature traditional coffee grinder to set beside my coffee pot…this was the thing I bought for myself since coffee and it’s process is very near and dear to my heart.

A little time out for salsa lessons and a couple of cervezas gave us all a chance to kick back and relax.

Touring the herb garden I learned that the lady who has this garden creates soaps and shampoos from everything that she grows. At La Mariposa we all use her creations as a way of supporting the local economy, eliminating big cooperate involvement and treating the Earth with kindness.

We stopped at an upscale furniture makers where everything is handcrafted here and then shipped off to places like the USA. The craftsmanship in this shop is of the finest and far out of my budget. But absolutely breathtaking to look at.

Several amazing weekends in spent Ticuantepe, Massaya and Granada were had..I learned to cook several traditional Nicaraguan dishes, stayed at a fancy hotel, met the cutest children at Lago de Nicaragua and went on an enchanting horse and carriage ride through the historical city of Granada and for just a little while I felt like Cinderella.

Nicaragua swept me off my feet and leaving albeit necessary is not a looked forward to date…I full well intend to return just as quick as I can. I left my heart somewhere between Leon and Granada.

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Development, developing, over developed…and our ENVIRONMENT

2011-11-03T11:07:00.009-04:00

Waste not want not…got a lot got it all…want a little let’s shove CAFTA up everyone’s ass as the answer. Returning home I reflected upon many lectures I attended and the many sidebar interviews with people I met in Nicaragua, I shared my findings with my father.

My father a now retired machinist from a local paper company in our home city is a great example of NAFTA/CAFTA failures. He worked as a machinist for more than 30 years and was forced into early retirement because the shop was closing down. When did it become to cheaper to fix the parts overseas than in the same city they break down in…There’s also his mother who worked at a local shirt factory in our city that closed down years ago and it would find itself back in my life in Nicaragua. I always wondered where Hathaway shirts ended up.

My dad and I talked about my trip and the things I learned. What I saw and how I felt about both sides of CAFTA and I told him I discovered that no one there likes it either. We talked about how our government created this great deal to create free trade but really all it allowed was for jobs to get shipped overseas because labor was cheaper. I also shared that the third world nation is getting screwed hard by over developed nations coming into their country delivering goods like beans and rice cheaper from China or the USA than they can produce in their own country. It had a familiar ring…NO ONE IS GAINING from NAFTA/CAFTA so why can’t we put the kybosh to it!?

The current countries trapped in this mess are: The United States, El Salvador (March 2006), Honduras (April 2006), Nicaragua (April 2006), Guatemala (July 2006), the Dominican Republic (March 2007) and Costa Rica (January 2009).

The idea that I live in a country that deems it necessary to shove it’s ways as the only way possible down everyone else’s throat makes me want to throw up. CAFTA and NAFTA are such excellent examples about just how wrong we are. They entered into these agreements saying how both countries would benefit from the free trade…It would improve their lives and ours. Let’s see if I can explain what I have seen so far and you tell me if improvements have been made…

I live in a very small state where pulp and paper industry has been the backbone of what keeps us going. Over the years I have watched one by one mill after mill, close…These mills employed hundreds of thousands of workers. The tax paid by the business would be enough to run schools and keep the roads maintained in their towns. The mills became big empty run down eye sores in each deserted little town, costing the town more money to have the vacant building, the people have lost their homes, and been forced to start over, some of these people are in their 50s and 60s, starting over in a market that is flooded with youth is virtually impossible.

Then there is the theory that being able to have free trade would improve our businesses productivity. Prices went up, quality came down, and availability on many old familiar things would begin to disappear.

In America we are obsessed with STUFF over production and a throw-away society…It is a contagious disease too. We have spread it and infected half the planet with our sickness. Which, had been good for some businesses until the bubble burst, and no one had any money.

Let’s look at the car industry, the housing industry and the food industry as a few examples. Americans are obsessed with keeping up with the Jones cars and trucks, their big fat houses and we love to eat –we are the fattest people on the planet. The problem came in the car industry when it cost more to make the car than you could make selling it. You see we have the onset of a shrinking society and the baby boomers have begun retiring faster than our nation’s economy can absorb. Families are smaller, woman are having babies later, and we refuse to grow our population by opening our borders...So 2/3 of the population is collecting benefits after having worked for 30 years, now the car maker has to pay out and doesn’t have it to pay, let alone the capital to keep its current employees working the line. Gas soared and we all stopped driving sending the vehicle industry into a tail spin and nearly collapsing the backbone of American jobs. The housing industry was hammered hard as the banks stopped being able to lend because no one was saving or spending, much less had a job, and they started folding one by one. Houses and our obsession with huge homes with multiple bathrooms, walk-in closets and bedrooms for all, a room for every television and computer started to bite us square in the ass. With mills closing left and right it was also closing all the small business next to them and forcing people to sell their homes or be forced into foreclosure because no one can afford to buy homes. Then there's our lovely food industry we fat Americans love to over eat shove everything and anything into our fat faces. Over consumption, fast food fast times...We can't afford our car payment or house mortgage be we gotta have our Starbucks, Dunkin, Horton, you name them…our fat assed obsession with the soy bean grande lattes with steamed milk and a triple shot of espresso–is gross!

Here come the other side of the problems…these third world countries we are trying to shove our industries into are not ready for them. These countries still do not have developed roads, electricity, running water, sewer, proper housing, education, medical facilities and governmental structure. We go into these places saying oh hey sign this document and you will get lots of jobs and be able to sell your stuff in our country making you very rich. Computers are the wave of the future…Imagine the bean farmer in Northern Nicaragua who has never had electricity or running water, never owned a car, never afforded an ox, or roof for his house, never been able to put proper shoes on his 9 children’s feet, never mind send them to school or inoculate them for diseases. He doesn’t even know what you are talking about because all he has ever known is his little patch of land in Nicaragua and now you are promising him the moon.

That moon never comes because what really happened is he never got anything out of the deal. He still has no power, no water, no road, and lives in his plastic bag sided hut, now his kids, kids are not going to school, none of them have ever seen a doctor or were born in a hospital, even his own government has turned a blind eye to him. Now, he hears about Coca Cola, Hathaway, Nike, Levis, Wrangler, Under Armor and other companies coming in with good paying jobs but hasn’t actually met anyone who works there. He keeps having faith though that his farm will continue to progress and his ability to sell more of his beans than last week will improve…Ahhh the beans. Then one day his wife goes to the market and discovers imported beans from America on the shelf cheaper than they can sell theirs in the in the market! Free trade. Hmm.

This same issue holds true for coffee, rice, and countless other items produced in Nicaragua and Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

As I passed by more than a dozen huge chicken farm style structures in Nicaragua, I asked what it was and I learn that is where Hathaway Shirts ended up…along with Under Armor, Levis, Wrangler, Rawling and several others. The clothing is manufactured in Nicaragua and shipped to the USA. The average Nicaragua makes about $800 Cordoba per week equivalent to $40 US. Hardly seems fair when you see the jeans in the store for $50-$75 and Under Armor can run you $80 for a pair of leggings, you have to wonder who is pocketing that difference…

We are faced with a few huge dilemmas now, we have too much stuff and we are not able to keep us with its over production as there is still not enough jobs and free trade is just not free…Everyone is paying a hefty fee for it. If the United States doesn't get it's act together quickly we just may find ourselves the third world country.

It is time to scale back and get back to the basics. Almost scrapping all things big and returning to small development strategies. Buying from your local farmer only, buying a car in your city, working in your city, studying in your city…keeping it all real local…and slowly spread our wings cautiously and with less dependents this time. Reality is we cannot support 2/3 of our population on the backs of the 1/3 of the population that actually has a job…

The Cap & Trade

Then comes in the problem with all the stuff…The junk, the trash, the waste…what are we doing with it what is it doing to our lakes, rivers, streams, drinking water, and children’s, children’s future…Yes we need to clean up our acts. The throw-away society needs to be forced to recycle, forced to not buy a new tv’s every time one comes out or a new exbox, computer, ipad, or iphone. These things are filling our landfills and killing our earth along, side the Coke bottles, McDonalds fry box and Dunkin Donuts styrofoam cup…

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Masaya, Masaya, Masaya…

2011-11-02T22:52:00.002-04:00

Oh what an adventure you held for me. On a damp overcast afternoon our group drove an hour down the mountain and around to the other side of Volcan Masaya where we entered the gates of the National Park.

We stopped quickly for a bano break and a picture with Sandino. I have been teased that I have more pictures of him than a museum. The man has a shrine on every street corner…

We pile back in La Mariposas van and start the trek into the volcanic region of Masaya. We drove for a short distance up a steep hill that gave the van quite a work out and stopped at a wonderful museum. Inside we were given a bilingual tour of Masaya; a history lesson on how this mystical volcanic phenomenon came to be and a tour of the wildlife, and the volcanic chain that comprises Nicaragua. More than 25 volcanoes make up this tiny country which explains the steep mountains and deep valleys and the plush tropical rain forests.

Masaya's last known activity was last in 1772 somewhere around the time of the Spanish invasion. During this time the lava was flowing and the Mayans were running for their lives, and the Spanish came raced in with all their Catholicism erected a cross and prayed for the lava to stop and it did so the legend goes. Every year on the same date everyone comes out to celebrate in that very same spot where the event took places. Masaya has been known to spit and shake from time to time over past 50 years but truly has been a harmless, backyard wonderment for centuries in Nicaragua.

The volcano is breath taking and unique as it is a crater volcano and the world’s most perfect formed one at that. The volcano pass is so grand that you could walk it in a day but most go by vehicle and get out and walk up the nearly 200 stairs to the peak instead. This would be the same for us as we had plans to take in another peak and tour two bat caves before dinner.

After we hiked to the peak of Masaya and back down again collapsing in the van in a pool of sweat we drove over to the next peak and hiked straight up another…The pictures as you can see are dark for two reasons, the air is full of volcanic ash and it is dusk. As we arrived late on purpose, you see we’d not only come to hike the volcano but also to hike below it deep into the bat caves and learn about the ancient Mayan customs.

We hiked our way up to the other peak and were swept off our feet by the beauty of nature before us. An interesting thing here is that vegetation is virtually nonexistent as the volcanic ash air and acid rains are so bad that nothing can survive up here. On one side everything is green and plush and full of tropical life and on the other it is dead and yellow brown looking.

Making our way over by van to the sight of the bat caves we were issued our protective gear; a hard hat and a flashlight.

Then it was time to walk down into to bowels of the volcano and scope out some bat caves. The air was dank and dark and the ground was slippery unstable and full of roots that were larger than the trees. At first the cave felt narrow and small but then it widened and increase in space and a hollow eerie sound filled that dark cave.

It wasn’t creepy at all despite not being a fan of the dark nor bats. It wasn’t really cold either it was humid and the rock formations beneath the Earth’s first layer is intensely beautiful.

As we walked further into the cave the tour guide stops us and asks us to turn off our flash lights and begins to tell us of legends of the ancient Mayan practices. He tells us that in the very room we were standing they discovered evidence of human sacrifices. In those days in their culture it was customary to practices human sacrifice and follow the instructions of the Gods. During these times they believed the Gods were angry with them and that was why Masaya was erupting. They were instructed by and old witch to sacrifice young virgin girls as a way to make the Gods happier. Of course the volcano continued its shaking and explosions so the discovered more remains that just the sacrifices…

Then we headed off to the next cave where we got to peak in on some bats! This was by far the coolest thing I have ever done. Being a long haired girl and knowing the horrors of getting these pesky little critters in your hair I have a fear of them, that and they just plain ugly to look at.

However, that night as Bergman called us up in groups of three sit at the mouth of the cave you could hear their wings flap and feel the wind of them fly right up to your face…it was pitch dark with the exception of an occasional camera flash and when you looked down at the image you captured you nearly fainted at the sight. Hundreds if not thousands of bats swarming the area shrieking and flapping wildly at each snap of the cameras light. It was AMAZING!

Next stops Masaya market place the artisans markets and tours of Granada, Masatepe, Ticuantepe, & Catarina…

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

The next morning Ruth and I returned to the Panama School.

2011-11-02T16:16:00.003-04:00

Getting the suitcase up to Panama was my next adventure. We rounded Oscar one of the men that works at La Mariposa asking if he could carry my bag to the truck. We arranged for a ride from La Mariposa to Panama rather than even bother to fight with the packed micro-bus. Oscar was more than willing to help. He scooped that heavy suitcase up and tossing it over his shoulders atop his head, then we heard him grumble and we knew what happened. That damn suitcase was heavy! He managed though all the way to the truck and tossed it in the back.

Ruth and I hopped up in the back with the bag and rode over to the school. Sitting on the back of that truck I felt like I did as a kid. You never see people ride in the backs of truck in the USA anymore and here I was wind blowing throw my hair, rain pouring down my face, with a birds-eye view of La Concepcion, San Juan and Panama. Despite the weather you cannot help but be swept away by the glorious country side filled with plush green tropical vegetation and steep mountains and deep valleys. It is incredible.

Arriving at the school we wheeled in the bag…to the back of the room. The kids all took their seats smiling wide eyed at us in anticipation over what was in that giant back in the back of their classroom. Ruth was amazing in assisting me with translation. I was excited to be there, emotions screaming all through me, sadness from the poverty, excitement for fulfilling my dream, nerves standing before strangers and knowing I lack the ability to communicate in their language with my true heart. She did it for me.

We told the kids we had letters from a classroom in the USA to share with them. We explained where I came from and talked about it being a very cold place. They giggled a little at the sounds of it. Then we passed out the letters from the Vassalboro Community School students. They were excited to receive them but a little confused as they weren’t sure what was on them. You see the children here go to school later so they are older 7-10 years old and many are just learning to read and write in Spanish let alone this complicated group of letters on the page in English. I did translate each one for them and the teacher said I had done an excellent job. It wasn’t until we got to ‘corn on the cob’ that she looked at me funny…I realized how I phrased it didn’t make sense and the teacher, the student and I laughed when I made the hand gestured and they realized what it was…

The kids loved their letters after each had been read to them, and they loved the pictures that had been drawn for them too. Picking their letters up and pointing and sharing it with their friends.

Then it was time to give them their gifts. We explained that the backpacks were from the Vassalboro Community School and that the students worked really hard stuffing them. One by one placing a backpack into each of these children’s hands my heart leapt with joy, this was the moment I had been waiting for…A small piece of me was being pulled in another direction at the same time…more on that in a moment.

The children smiled and said ‘gracias’ as each bag was handed to them and opened them up inspecting the contents. A bible, notebook, packet on North America, Maine and all the fun stuff that makes up Maine, a ruler, pencils, colored pencils, sharpener, pens, erasers, scissors, homemade soap, and a glue stick…a the glue stick that was fun to explain! They rolled it out and looked at it like it was lip gloss and we had the darnedest time trying to figure out the Spanish word for glue stick. When we finally did they laughed again.

Then it was time to write back to the Maine kids. Each student took out their pencil and paper not from the backpack but from the one they had and began writing. The learning level in the classroom was interesting to observe as some were speedy and had excellent penmanship and others had a difficult time with writing and spelling. I noticed a few children that seemed to just not be interested. Watching these children it reminded me of my Special Education days. I realized that the education system is challenging enough in Nicaragua and though it is good it is severely behind and they are so impoverished at this location that a lot is overlooked or unheard of. One little girl was staring of in space and not writing not talking just seemed lost. I thought this is where in the American school system someone says hmmm maybe she should be observed more closely or tested for a learning disability. Not here not in this school. This little girl will likely struggle and remain right in this room for as long as possible as no one really knows what the issue may be or is equipped or educated in helping her, which broke my heart.

As I went around the room talking to the kids and taking their pictures I noticed little things about each one that made him or her unique. Kids are kids everywhere you go and some are friendly, some are shy, some are little flirts and others are hams, as was the case with these children. They wanted to touch me, my hair, my skin and my camera. They were curious and as they were curious, I showed I was too touching back in sharing more. The kids seem to come together from poverty but varying levels within that poverty. Some of the kids look healthy, well feed and dressed and fresh. Others are in rough looking clothes that are tattered and too small, their shoes if they have them are too tight, and their little faces are gaunt and soiled. Everyone has a, cough, everyone has runny noses and red eyes ((this is the volcanic ash I mentioned in my last blog)), everyone has stained teeth they are almost brown over the white from the water and air being so bad here. And no one can afford dental care so don’t even think about that…Some of the kids are in uniforms and some are in barely anything but ALL OF THEM ARE ADORABLE.

In an hour 20 letters were placed in my hand one at time by a smiley brown eye child. We told the kids we would be back in two days to finish the picture part of their project and that they should to bring their colored pencils and sharpeners to school with them that day, and headed back to La Mariposa.

That night in my room I cried myself to sleep. I thought here I had gone through a great deal of trouble to get the backpacks to the kids but in my mind I was revisiting the past two days, the condition of the environment, their life on the mountain, the poverty, the condition of the school, and how modest and barren everything seemed and I asked myself…Is it enough?

My friends at La Mariposa were companionate and reassured me that I had done a wonderful thing and that it was perfectly normal to feel the way I was feeling. They cheered me up by reminding me of the glue stick story. I still felt an emptiness in my soul, like all the riches in the world wouldn’t fix it, where would I start if I had money…Then reality, I did what I came to do and it was the best that I, Julianna Sterling could do with what, I had and it did help.

The rain prevented us from returning for a few days as it continued to get worse before it got better. When I finally did get to go back we had a blast finishing the pictures. Ruth bought some white paper in San Marcos for me to bring up to the kids, and I passed it out to them. At first they stared at the paper like what does she want me to draw…Then they started carefully drawing in the very corners these little tiny pictures in pencil. Even though they had all the colored pencils they could imagine they wouldn’t use them or spread out on the page. The teacher had to keep reminding them “mass grande” and motion with her hand to cover the page. She would repeat “mucho colores” and they reluctantly took a color or two out.

Watching that all transpire I realized that American kids, adults too, are wasteful. We think nothing of writing on a whole page throwing it away and starting over…we think nothing of using up all the colors or being careless with them…because we come from the land of plenty. Sitting in the classroom that day I realized I too was still a big waster watching them made me really reevaluate my wastefulness. From that day forward I wrote smaller in my own notebook and used my eraser and both sides of the paper, I also didn’t care if a scribble or spot was on my paper.

They finished their pictures they brought them up to me and had their picture taken so I could match them up to the letters later. When they were finished they giggled and played, then sang me a song as I walked out the door. Hopping on Fernando’s’ dirt bike for the ride home, I felt full with joy over having accomplished what I wanted to, and as I squeezed my eyes shut freaking out inside on the bike, I told myself next year; different class, same school, same project and opened my eyes and enjoyed the ride.

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Escuela de Panama

2011-11-02T14:19:00.003-04:00

After some doing the opportunity to volunteer at the Panama School finally would happen. My heart raced with excitement as this was the main reason for my trip and for a long time I felt like all the efforts to bring the backpacks was for nothing. Alas Ruth escorted me on the micro-bus a short distance down the mountain and over to another…Where we got out and walked for the next 20 minutes up a dirty mountain side road that to most would appear impassible by vehicle but they do it…

Ruth is an intern at La Mariposa and a very vivacious volunteer supporter. The trouble with a lot of organizations is they don’t see the effectiveness of short term volunteers so they tend to brush them off as not very important. Ruth’s philosophy is I have projects and you want to help let’s get to work! Which for, the volunteer makes, them feel important and like they are making a difference by helping do something and they don’t feel ignored. I admire Ruth’s philosophy. She made me feel like even if I only spent 5 minutes on a project it was the most important 5 minutes ever.

As we walked that rainy morning she shared the history of the Panama School and many of its current problems along with what La Mariposa is doing to help.

Over one hundred students are enrolled in this remote volcanic regional school. Children do not attend class all day like in the USA, they attend half days; some children attend morning session others afternoons. They discovered if they fed the children a meal each day more children would attend. That can be a huge relief to an impoverished family.

The school nestled high in the hills seems to be in the most unlikely of locations but, upon arrival to the school you quickly realize it is smack dab in the middle of the community. Over the coming days I came to observe families and large groups of people always milling about in the driveway of the school, which made me realize that school is the center of town.

Several buildings make up the property; the first building is the schoolhouse which houses three classrooms and a nook of a library. The building was painted the week prior by World Vision. It was nice to see that they actually do service work somewhere I have been, before now I only ever read about them online. The second building is a kitchen, which was donated by some wealthy wives of ambassador types, is lovely yet modest and only recently has had power installed. The stove has needed replacement a few times because the acid rain and volcanic ash that eats away at the metal. I learned that the mothers of the students take turns cooking the meals for the kids. Sometimes cooking meals can be a challenge as there is no water and if water is not brought up the mountain little is prepared. On a later visit, Paulette shared she would love one day to produce enough food from her garden to feed the children regularly. Imagine that.

The school has two huge problems at present:

1. Maintaining the water supply as there is no running water or sewerage. The water has to be trucked in most of the time La Mariposa takes care of this for the school.

2. The volcanic ash and acid rain is destroying anything with metal on it. Like the roves, the stove pipes the metal window frames and more. Zinc is the only material that the ash doesn’t eat through so slowly things are being switched out for zinc, which is expensive.

That very same volcanic, ash, will tear at my heart in a later visit as I get to know the children at the Panama School. The same ladies that build the kitchen also donated flush toilets. As I stood in front of these pretty little potties, I could feel my heart pound and my blood boil, my face getting hot with anger. I was so pissed off! I couldn’t believe that after numerous attempts to explain that this was not a good idea as there is no water or sewer and never will be they built them anyway, using the excuse ‘they just look prettier.’ –Are you kidding me! What a waste of extremely valuable resources all for ‘pretty potties.’ Bluntly, it is one of the best examples of how the rich are so removed from reality that they just dump money on something without paying attention to the true need. A donation is wonderful and always appreciated but it is ineffective if the resources are tossed on to some item no one will ever benefit from. I still want to get in the face of the American Ambassadors wife and shake my fist in her ‘pretty little potty’ face.

One of the many things I admire about Paulette is her courageousness to take on projects even when La Mariposa may not financially be in a position to do so and find a way to correct these ridiculous mistakes and to always be there when the rich only have assed finished the job. For example the potties, seeing it and having spoken up prior to there, having been built she asked for donations and built LATRINES. When one of the buildings was virtually falling over the edge of the mountain she raised the money to buy the concrete and get the man power in there to reinforce the buildings side wall with a massive concrete wall and staircase. She has recently taken on restoration of the library and been rebuilding the bookshelves, she originally had built, color coding all the books she had donated, and is putting plastic bins on the shelves to protect the books from the ash and rains. She has also worked toward educating the teachers and students about proper borrowing of books in an effort to make sure the books remain intact and in the library.

Ruth and I watched from a massive water barrel on the playground as the children played football. Some were barefoot or in clothes that didn’t fit right or the zippers no longer functioned, while others were in nice uniforms and shoes. Uniforms used to be a big deal but the government quickly realized that kids aren’t going to go to school if they can’t afford the clothes so that rule as been bent. Which is good, in Guatemala that rule is enforced and is destroying the education system. We watched them playing football using a Coke bottle with sand in it as there is no soccer ball or football, which made me smile at their creativeness and sad to know that in America we have dozens that are barely used in all our schools.

I noticed a swing set just beyond the circle of kids and realized it was missing the swings…I stared at it for a minute before saying to Ruth are the swings gone because of the ash and rain, why not get some rope and a piece of wood or a rope and an old tire…I showed one of my teachers in my class what I meant later and am hopeful that something will come of it. Growing up that is what we had and I loved it!

I noticed a water fountain next to the classroom and inquired if it is drinkable or just another ‘pretty’ unusable piece. It is connected to the water barrel behind me but the water is a bit questionable maybe for hand washing or the kids to drink because they are from the area. They actually truck water in daily to the school from La Mariposa, some days they can get it right up there and others it is more difficult for a lot of reasons that I understand as I come to now life in Nicaragua.

One of the biggest things that will actually keep a child out of school is the water issue. Families tend to live together for example mom and dad, grandparents, nine children and sometimes the adult children have a wife or husband and maybe even a baby or two. What often happens is the mom and dad go work in the market and fields selling and harvesting while the grandparents look after the kids and house. This means that the grandparents have to go and collect the daily water supply a half an hour or more walk away for a young empty handed person. People don’t have cars here they are too poor, and many don’t have oxen so this means they pull a cart all the way to the bottom and fill up and pull it all the way back up. This process may take them all day to get done which can mean the little ones have to stay home from school helping the grandparents with the daily chores.

As the children return to their classrooms after recess it was time to start looking for the potential spot for our donation. We observed each room slowly…the children were curious about the two white girls outside and were frequently distracted by our presence and giggled or smiled at us as we passed. The third and final classroom we observed was the best fit it was smaller and the teacher seemed to have control over her room. The students were quietly studying only peaking at us a little bit when we came in.

We made our way into the room and introduced ourselves to the teacher explaining what we were doing there and would like to do. The teacher was thrilled, explaining that she usually has 26 students but the rain has kept the kids away and today only had 19 and didn’t expect the attendance to improve until the rains stopped…We said ‘hola’ to the children and they looked up at us curiously with their big dark eyes some saying ‘hola’ back some not saying anything and many squirming and giggling. The teacher lets the students know we have something fun in store for them and that we would be back tomorrow to share it with them. Everyone was sitting up and excited as we walked back out the door waving they all waved back.

As the door shut behind me I knew I found the perfect room to work with and the perfect group of kids and was excited for tomorrow myself. My next worry was getting that foolish 70lb suitcase up to the school…

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Out came the sun…

2011-10-23T00:40:00.003-04:00

But not before more rain would fall, everyone at La Mariposa attempted to carry on with life as best we could. We became accustom to always being cold, dirty and wet. I don’t just mean wet as in, oh I got wet walking to the car, either, I mean everything we own is damp and other things are soaked. For me, I have mildew growing on my backpack, sweater, shoes and suitcase from the air just being so full of moisture. I packed enough clothing for ten days and a few little extra pieces parts…By Monday (10/17) everything was dirty as I haven’t been able to wash anything and haven’t had anything dry from the last washing since the sun hasn’t should its shine in 10 solid days.

The newspaper read more than 10, 000 people have been affected by the horrible weather. But the sun came back to us and we are presently in day 2 of NO RAIN!

Last Thursday and Friday, Ruth, Krissy, Flo, Maia and I went on a couple of visits. First, stop was the Centro Infintil Comunitario a daycare for children in the morning and a reading center in the afternoons. This was a bit of an excursion to get to it. We hopped on a micro-bus as they call them here, which is nothing more than a van that runs back and forth between two points making dozens of stops along the way for a fee. The micro-bus is an experience allllll on its own. When the van stopped, I looked inside and said to myself there is no way we are going to fit in there. The van which seats 14 had 28 people on it including me by the time it was all said and done. I don’t know how we did it but we stepped in, squashed and hunched over among 25 other hot sweaty bodies. I heard Flo call out “Juli, are you on?” and I said, “Uh not really…” one foot was on the step and one foot was in the air a hand clutching Ruth’s that was clutching the seat. The van started moving…Ruth said, “Watch your ass!” and the van door slid past my butt and shut. Yup just like that we drove off…..When we stopped and the muchacho opened the door I sprang out to the curb and everyone on the van chuckled as we all knew it was bound to happen. From there we started letting people off until we hit our destination and hailed a moto-taxi which is just like the tuk-tuks in Guate and headed up the short walk up hill to the center.

At the center we met several adorable children of all ages. I got the impression that on this particular day they were having some difficulties as the teacher hadn’t arrived to unlock the building and the kids were wandering about…I got the feeling that this was not a typical day and that the center was actually a really great safe fun place for children to play and learn. While we were there we read and played with a few children hoping the teacher would arrive. She never did BUT we did enjoy our time and were challenged and impressed by one of the little girls who was an amazing jacks player! I wish time would allow for me to go back there and get to know how this center runs.

The next day Flo, Maia and I joined Krissy on a trip to the site where the high need families were living. Again, an interesting micro-bus ride…where we face gringo taxation. I knew when we boarded the bus Krissy was bothered by something I just didn’t know what. As the muchacho asked our destination and reached for my cordobas he had a smirk on his face that instantly hit me and Maia at the same time. He was attempting to scam us. I stared at him with an I-know-what you-are-up-to-buddy face and Maia said, “ummmm NO para uno!” He resisted at first than handed me back my change for a double charge. I raised an eyebrow at him and tucked my money away. He knew, I knew and so did everyone else. Krissy was frustrated when we disembarked and kept apologizing for the muchacho being that way. She said he is the only one who has ever done that to her in the 8 months she lived there and it wasn’t the first time.

Finally, after a quick moto-taxi ride we arrived. As we pulled up kids were in the street and standing in the doorway. They were looking like that had cabin fever and stared at us not sure what to make of us. Krissy chatted with the organizer and we got a few chairs set up in a separate room for the kids. The building is used as a dance hall and was now home to 15 families who had just lost their homes to a landslide. They had the clothes on their backs and a few little items. La Mariposa purchased mattresses for everyone to sleep on that are about 6” thick. When Paulette learned they were sleeping on the floor she put an end to that within hours. I have already shared with you my encounter with Daniella, precious child…As the children gathered and took their seats, the organizer handed me three children’s books; all in Spanish and not really picture books. The Spanish words on the page had me on edge…there is no way I can read Boots to them in Spanish. Then Krissy asked the kids who can read and several raised their hand, then she asked for a volunteer reader and a sweet young girl stood up. She bravely stood before the group reading the book. I took a picture or two and saw an older boy watching me I stretched my hand out with the camera and asked him if he wanted to take some pictures. For the next hour he and several of his friends photographed themselves and the center. The little girl that read asked me to go in the next room with her to color with the rest of the group and I did. We sat across from one another coloring with a handful of crayons and markers and a pad of paper to share with 15 kids ages 2-15. I scribbled away and so did she. Then I heard someone say ‘Juli’ and I looked up and so did she. I realized we had the same name. Her knick name is Yuli. We hit it off great after that J .

Instantly a memory flashed through my head of my friend Dawn who calls me Yuli all the time…We played with the kids for a good hour before heading out. Visiting these families was by far one of the most rewarding experiences I have had to this point in the trip.

Then came time for a trip to the long awaited for Escuela de Panama. The Panama School, I have been so looking forward to this trip, and it seemed like on obstacle after another before making it happen. Ruth and I took a micro-bus to the end of random road just outside of San Juan. From there we began a walk up hill on road quickly turned to a muddy foot path. We walked up hill for 20 minutes, each turn in the road revealing another beautiful view of nature and hard look at poverty, it is hard to believe that such a breathtaking area could be home to so many with so little. I learned as we walked together that none of the homes have running water that everyone has to walk to town to collect water daily, either by foot or ox as no one has a car. I thought to myself. I can barely do this with a backpack never mind a fetch a day’s supply of water.

The higher and further we went the more I began to question if we had the right road…It didn’t seem like a school would be in this area at all. Then boom, off to the right stood this magnificent row of buildings. With a new paint job courtesy of World Vision…many children were outside playing and we wandered about, Ruth would give me a tour, introduce me to the teacher and tomorrow the fun would begin! For those of you wondering about the 70lb bag of goodies, Ishmial drove it up in his pick up and dropped it there for us as it was impossible to carry. In fact one of the young men working at La Mariposa struggled carrying it on his head up the narrow path to the truck…

More on the visit to Panama and the hike to Masaya to come.

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

The first week has come and gone and I have the itch to get to work but Mother Nature seemed to have other plans for me…

2011-10-18T11:16:00.005-04:00

My last blog was from the breezy veranda of La Mariposa it was not long after when the clouds rolled in with vengeance and darkness fell upon what felt like all of Nicaragua. As I sat there having just clicked post, sipping my beer, witnessing all this weather, it never occurred to me that it would be a hurricane. It just felt like another windy-about-to-rain-but-likely-wont-late afternoon. WOW was I wrong! It started with a mist, then a steady rain, that sometime about 1:30am woke everyone up with a torrential down pour that lasted for the next 24 hours.

When Monday morning rolled around I headed off to class (mind you it is outdoors) in the pouring rain. We tried as best as we could, to get as much work done as possible accomplished but, the rain just kept coming down harder and harder…At break I thought to myself, that’s a damn lot of rain! My conversations class is conducted inside the main building so we were a bit more protected…By noon I was freezing; wearing long pants, two t-shirts, a sweater, and my rain jacket (thank you Jami). The game plan was to head to Managua about a half an hour drive north and tour a few museums.

La Mariposa is positioned on somewhat of a hill, not at the top but far from the bottom. I was not quite prepared for what was in store for us once we came down and round the bend. I was sitting in front seat with Bergman our driver when we both looked to our left and saw about 30 people standing outside. There were men in rain gear and make shift roadblocks were being set up. It was pouring hard and muddy water was rushing through the street as we passed by. Bergman, who we have teased relentlessly about this, knows everyone and phone to ask what had happened. My Spanish has improved tremendously as far as comprehension goes but one word stuck out that I didn't understand deslave. He hung up and looked at me and said landslide. My heart sank. Here I am, rolling with the crew on a day trip to tour some museums in Managua and these people have just had everything literally washed away.

Let me try and create an image in your mind, of this scene, to give you an idea of what it was like. I am living in second poorest country in the western hemisphere. People here live in houses that are made of bricks, some concrete, most corrugated metal and a few sticks of wood and plastic bag material -if they are lucky. They don’t have much at all. They do not have running water, flushes, and often no power. There is no emergency shelter or emergency workers to come rushing to the rescue. So, when something like this happens it is beyond devastating. It is horrifying. People live in remote regions and the modest emergency aid they have available takes a long time to arrive. ((Thankfully the Sandinista's do not fool around when disasters strike unlike some governments I know....echmmm *USA*)) Hospitals are not exactly around the corner like in my city; neither are the police or anyone with a telephone. It is really gut wrenching.

As we drove away I felt pangs of guilt but we carried on…More on that scene later.

Managua is the capital of Nicaragua and has all the same characteristics of any other large city; a lot of people, poverty, crime, great big buildings, traffic, peddlers of all types, and a strong military presence (for us police here the Sandinista Army). Bergman reminded us we were in the city and to lock up and put our cameras and nice things out of sight. People literally walk up to the vehicle and will ask for money, try to sell you a paper, wash your windshield or rob you. It can be a bit hairy to say the least. The clouds seemed to cut us a bit of slack as we began our jaunt through the city.

We had the fantastic opportunity with Bergman acting our tour guide to visit a couple of museums, a park, and the launch for Lago de Nicaragua. The lake is fantastic in it is sheer mass and the volcanic mountain range that surrounds it is simply breathtaking. It is similar to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, however, I think this lake is larger. The museums were incredible. I find Latin American Arts very intriguing, the way they use it as a means of political expression is powerful be it: art, poetry, or music. The rain returned as we made our way to La Mariposa.

That evening, after we had yet another incredible meal, I had gone for a little walk in the garden to visit the monkeys when I noticed one-by-one everyone gathering in the library. Knowing that is where the television is I joined them. I discovered everyone at La Mariposa standing in the library with Paulette watching the news. The words were garble in my head -but- it didn’t take much to put the horrific images together with the words on the screen to realize the area we had passed earlier was the one on the television. At that moment a chill came over me and an eerie quietness came over the room. Paulette translated for us and was deeply impacted by what she was seeing and hearing as this is her home town, her community, where her friends are and work is. Watching loved ones lose everything in such a devastating manor is beyond heartbreaking.

After the news, everyone wanted to help monetarily and with any extra items we might have packed. The interns were to go investigate in the morning and report back at lunch the next day. By lunch 15 families were staying in one building with as many children of them 3 were pregnant women. At that time they were dubbed the highest need. As the rains continued so did the number of victims and by dinner more than a 100 other families were reported in another location. By Sunday October 16^th more than 2,500 families were seeking refuge in a shelters throughout the area. Keep in mind Nicaragua is no bigger than Tennessee so when I say area it is most of the country.

This past week, all that was on my mind was RAIN and HELPING. It rained harder and harder and harder for the next, well it is still raining…8 days and counting. I had the opportunity to visit the high need families Friday. It was wonderful and sad. For a little while, I would like to think we brought a little joy into their world. We read, colored, played ball and giggled with the kids and the adults. I am not proficient enough to carry on an intelligent conversation but a smile, hug, and a chicklet goes along way when you have lost everything.

One of my favorites was Daniella, a sweet little girl who when I arrived just stared at me emotionless. I winked at her. She raised her eyebrow. No smile. I raised mine she repeated. I raised my other one, she raised both. I made a fish face at her and she stuck her tongue out and smiled. We were inseparable, she sat by my side coloring, not a word spoken, then we watched the boys take pictures with my camera and laughed and laughed. I felt her little hand touch my hair so I touched hers then she laid her little head on my shoulder and I tucked her in under my arm. She wanted a hug or maybe I did. All I know is I didn’t let go and neither did she. A hug…everyone needs one of those... We were there for about an hour and leaving her, all of them, was very difficult but, we promised to be back and on Monday and part of our group did return. Plans to go every few days are in the works as these people will likely be living in this small space for the next two months. Before I left Nicaragua I saw many groups go up and play with the kids, bringing toys and donations to the parents and the children. I consider myself blessed to have been living among some of the most generous loving people. Big or small, gifts, money or just the time of day it was phenomenal to be apart of personally and to witness from a distance the goodness of so many.

I have made a few other visits since this has happened and will post a new blog in a few days. My hope is the rain is leaving. We have had quite enough between the hurricane, high winds, torrential rains, floods and landslides. It is time for some good weather to move back in to Nicaragua and let the sun dry up all this mess.

More on the journey to the daycare, library and school soon!

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Greetings from Nicaragua!

2011-10-09T16:41:00.010-04:00

Since my blogs will be running a few days behind schedule I will be covering the days in much the same manor.

A few days ago, I woke to the rooster outside my room which then got the parakeets and toucans singing and the monkeys chattering. I walked down to the latrine near the monkey cages. The night air still present, dampness is everywhere the monkeys bid me their typical morning greeting apparently they love blondes so I am a hit…A Kodak moment…

It is very humid so humid that you would think it is going to burst into a thunderstorm at any moment but not a drop falls from the sky. I slip into the shower an outdoor space with a solar power heated water head. It is cold nonetheless so you shower fast! As I shake the shivers washing up it starts to really hit me how wasteful most of us are. The shower here is as I said a solar operated one and the water is collected and reused to water the gardens, from what I understand, so it there is no waste…Brilliance.

I hustle back to my room and ready myself for breakfast. No matter I do with my hair it refuses to dry so I toss it up in a clip and off I go. It is actually quit freeing to not feel stuck in front of a mirror for hours fussing over my hair and makeup. Joining my friends for breakfast, I sit down to yet another fabulous meal of chopped fruits; papaya, pineapple, watermelon and bananas. We always have granola and fresh yogurt and an amazing cup of coffee. Nearly all the food are harvested from La Mariposa organic garden and coffee plantation. After breakfast it is time for class.

Dennis my grammar teacher is fantastic. Each morning before class he takes time to explain things that I have seen and will see. He explains it English and provides me with the language in Spanish. We then move into lessons incorporating those words into grammar structure. Over the past few days my lessons have involved history and politics. It is almost election time here so it’s front and center in everyone’s minds these days. Dennis explained the parade I attended Tuesday and who I had seen. I learn in English and Spanish about Daniel Ortega and the passion of the people for and against him. Dennis tries to provide another view allowing me a wealth of information to better understand the Liberals, Sandanist’s and Conservatives. Politics are actually a very common conversation here and people are eager to talk about it…unlike in the USA where we are a bit cautious of when and where we discuss such matters. My grammar class allows me the opportunity to learn how to communicate and the language base in which to do it while also enlightening me. We also discussed a history class I would participate in during the week so I would have a good comprehension of the lecture as it is given in Spanish.

Chester my conversation teacher is another fantastic instructor as well and really puts me through my paces reviewing my grammar and sentence structure. He challenges me allllll the time! I leave our sessions exhausted but in a very good way. Chester also reinforces proper pronunciation and spelling. I am notorious for putting an “es” or “is” sound where it does not belong. I also met with Berhman Jr. a wonderful instructor who gave me my history lesson in English and then in Spanish in preparation for my lecture. He filled in a lot of gaps and answered many questions. What is so wonderful about these teachers is there is no judgment if you foul up in your speech and comprehension. I always feel very much at ease. They seem as curious to know proper pronunciation in English as I am in Spanish so the fear of saying it wrong is washed away.

I sat in on a lecture with Bergman Sr. about the history of Nicaragua from the Mayan, Inca, Aztec time to 1900. The story told and the passion with which it is told is fascinating. I feel often in America we become complacent and put our history out of our minds and here it is very much alive and respected. The talk actually conjured up memories of my time with As Green As It Gets in Guatemala.

Long about 10am it starts to get really hot and humid and you easily become exhausted…After the wonderful hot meal at noon you are ready for a nap. I took two afternoons to do just that. My cabin is fantastic but it does not have air conditioning or a fan making escaping the heat impossible. Luckily, I keep it closed up and it stays somewhat cooler making an afternoon siesta lovely. On another afternoon Chester and Manuel (the groundskeeper) took me on a bird watching walking. Manuel brought a book of birds to show me the specific names of each and it was wonderful. Everyone here is passionate about the wild life, being environmentally conscientious, and takes the time to share it with you, with a passion as if they are seeing it for the first time right along with you.

One evening, a group of us joined Paulette, Ishmael and Manuel for a trip to La Concha where we sample some of the local eats and cervezas. It was a local run bar and grill so to speak. We toured the kitchen where racks of raw meat were hanging about being readied for cooking. We saw where they were preparing pig skin, and other meat, along with boiled plantain of sorts (it tastes more like potatoes), and slaw. No part of the animal is wasted therefore I observed what seemed unusual meat preparations. -Sampling everything in my book is a must and sample I did. Believe it or not it was all delicious! The pig skin reminded me of pork rinds and I couldn’t stop nibbling once I started. Maia, one of my friends here, brought her cell phone for pictures and instantly became a hit among the children, who swarmed her wanting to pose and see the photos. It was an amazing opportunity for her to use her Spanish in every picture she shared with them.

Saturday a group of us woke up bright and early, 6:30am to be exacted and board our La Mariposa bus for a trip to Leon. Along the way we stopped at a restaurant for a delicious local breakfast. I had a tortilla with diced tomatoes and onion on top with a creamy cheese sauce and a fabulous cup of café con leche (coffee with milk). The trip is a long hot one with nine of us in the van (mind you the vehicles are not air conditioned). We arrive in Leon and it is breathtakingly beautiful. Bergman Sr. is our driver and tour guide for the day. He took us to the largest cathedral in all of Central America and was actually built by accident in Leon. It was intended for Peru. The views are simply spectacular from the rooftop where you can actually see 8 volcanoes. We toured the veterans of the Sandinista movement memorial. One of the men giving the tour was in one of the photographs at the end of the tour. We also took in an art museum an ancient indigenous cathedral ruins and a torture prison. I learned so much about the history of Nicaragua. The murals, art work, poetry, museums all tell a powerful story about their rich history and their struggle to rise out from under the Somoza regime. We had a wonderful lunch in Leon where another opportunity to sample the local cuisine was made available and later a cup of coffee before heading back to La Concepcion. Leon is a lovely city alive and well, busy with lots of tourists and youth, a bit of the college town feeling. Brightly colored buildings and shops set up to please every interest. Then we headed back on the several hour long hot bus ride back to La Mariposa. Sweaty and exhausted I had dinner, showered and headed to bed.

I opted out of a hike Sunday morning and instead washed all my laundry (by hand) it was quite a work out. The sky has an ominous look of a storm though again not a drop has fallen as I sit here on the porch sipping a beer getting ready to hit the books.

More exciting adventures are in store and the Jules: Journey to Nicaragua page is full of hundreds of amazing pictures! Hard to believe it’s been a week!!

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

After a bumpy start to the trip I arrived in Nicaragua…The first few days are fantastico!

2011-10-06T19:14:00.004-04:00

By bumpy let me explain a bit. I left home around 3am, drove the 1.5 hours to the airport to discover my flight had been cancelled. My best, only, option catch a bus to Boston and take a flight from Boston to Houston. So, I did…I arrived in Houston and napped in the airport for a bit. Grabbed my last taste of American fast food and hopped on a plane destined for Managua. It was pitch black in the city I. I made it through security and met up with my driver. Where I met another guest at the school, Maia, also American…We were both exhausted from our travel and not a word was spoken after we said our ‘hellos.’ Travelling through the city and up the winding tiny roads to La Concepcion and finally to La Mariposa. All was dark here as well. (I learned later a rain storm had knocked the power out.) My driver and another, gentlemen walked me through the wooded pathway to my cabin. When we arrived at my cabin about all I understood was the click of a light switch and an ‘uh oh’ I knew I had no lights. We used our cell phones to light up the space and I changed my clothes after they left. Moments later there was a knock and one of the men walked me up to the cocina where dinner was waiting for me. It was delicious…I felt very much at home on the porch, eating dinner…A couple of dogs wondered over and a kitten hopped up in my lap. It made me miss my puppy, Lucy as I stroked the kitten’s soft fur. A short bit later the man walked me back to my room where I fell sound a sleep until the wee hours when the power was restored and all the lights in my room came on. In a groggy haze I shut them all back off and climbed back into bed. Dawn approached and I was awakened by the old familiar sound of the rooster, then the monkeys and the birds…I slowly woke myself up and looked about saying to myself, I am really here.

The first day, I was not sure of much so I quickly dressed and rushed out to breakfast where I met everyone who is staying at La Mariposa including; Krissy (my long time email friend) and Paulette (owner and operator of La Mariposa). We all took breakfast together chatting before class. It was great to meet some many people. I no longer felt like I was alone.

Then it was time for school. Dennis, my teacher and I walked to my classroom; an outdoor space much like my classroom in Guatemala. Dennis attempted to give me a placement exam…I FAILED! It was actually funny. We joked and laughed about it then dove into to work. My brain, my ears, my mouth switching back to Spanish was tough but, I muddled through. Two hours later we took a break and I quickly messaged home before my conversations lesson. Where I met Chester, he was great. It helped after two hours of lessons to jump into conversations. What is intense about this program is it is one-on-one so there’s no waiting for someone else, it’s all you…

Then we broke for lunch. What an amazing meal, so much to eat and such an awareness of healthy eating. No wasting food either…One of the biggest dislikes I have being in the restaurant business is watching the mountains of food be wasted. After lunch a small group of us gathered to go on a hike to El Chocoyero. It was an hour ride. We kept taking all sorts of detours and couldn’t figure out why at first and finally our driver stopped and encouraged us to grab our cameras and get out. We scurried out and skipped up the steps of a cathedral. There was a parade getting started. FLSN flags were waving people were cheering it was amazing. Moments later men waving from the back of a truck appeared and the growing crowd cheered even louder…It was the candidate for President passing through and apparently a popular one. As the weeks would pass I would come to learn a lot about the Nicaraguan government and politics, as there is not a soul in Nicaragua unwilling to share their history, government and political thoughts. After the parade we drove a bit more until we stopped at a road side stand and bought fresh pineapple juice and coconut milk. We were presented fresh pina in a plastic bag with a straw in it. My friend Maia was given a coconut peeled with a straw inside. It was so delish. It was like a snack and drink all in one.

We finish our trek up a road I just didn’t think we could make it was so washed out and rutted up but we did it! Upon our arrival we stepped out and walked to a neat museum like display of snakes and bones from within the rainforest. I had not realized at the time but we had a special guest aboard the van we were bringing to release into the wild. A frog (sopa) we walked a long way and it began to rain, and rain hard. One of the men on the trip gave me his rain poncho it kept me and my camera dry…It rained on and off as we made our way. We stopped and saw several cool trees common to Nicaragua and discovered of all things a crab wondering about in the woods…We continued on up several nature created steps to a beautiful waterfall. The walk made me think of several hikes Gary and I had been on this summer…Only much more plush. Finally, we arrived at this enormous waterfall where we released the frog and watched him get acclimated to his new home…Then we made our way back. It was so beautiful. The deep greens all around, the foggy mist over head and the smell of monkeys hiding in the trees. What a moment to take in. I felt like a little girl on her first walk outdoors discovering all the sights and sounds of nature.

After we returned it was dark and dinner was on the table. We were starving and cleaned our plates and I snuck off for a much needed shower…A cold one but I survived. Including not having a curling iron or blow dryer…YUP this girl is going natural…It is actually pretty freeing. I joined my friends back in the common space to unwind with an ice cold beer (Tona) and check out the days photo shoot. I hope you will take a look at them on my facebook fan page. They are really great!!

Internet is limited to conserve power and they keep us good and busy so I likely will not be posting daily but I will do my best…More from Nica in a day or so. J

PS all you Maine folk. I am sitting outside on the porch typing to you in shorts and a tank top, sun down and it is HOT, HOT, HOT and crazy hot in the sun-90 & 90 baby!

As Told By Jules: Journeys in Central America and beyond

Next stop Nicaragua-

2011-10-02T09:40:00.001-04:00

As the eve of my trip approaches…my mind races with all the last minute to do’s. Are they all done? Did I pack my…? I am a bit twitchy with some nervous energy and my tummy is a little knotted. I know I have everything under control but I will be gone a long time and far away.

I stare at my two huge suitcases and my backpack and think…My goodness!

Inside one suitcase is 70lbs of backpacks for 24 new friends awaiting my arrival, thanks to all of my old friends in the USA. I recall each person that contributed be it monetarily or with items and a smile forms then a nod. There’s the guests that have slipped cash in my hand…There’s the beautiful letter with an incredibly generous check. Followed by, the phones calls and, visit with a box filled with office supplies. Then of course, there are, the numerous back to school sale runs Gary & I made. I think back to the piles of school supplies that grew on my bedroom floor over that past few months. It started off as dream… My girlfriend who home schools her children stuffed backpacks and snuck them onto my back porch. Then the children from Miss Roy’s third grade class at Vassalboro Community School who spent an afternoon stuffing the backpacks, with their beautiful “dear amigo” letters each child wrote. That is when my dream was realized.Then came the bibles my dear, dear friend put in my hands to put them in the Nicaraguan children’s. The night we bowed our heads and prayed together…I cried all the way home. The blueberry scented soaps that bound my belief in women helping other women…The struggle over what to do when my bag was so over weight and I thought none of this would happen. The day my mother and father said they wanted to pay for the luggage fee because they believed in what I was doing. The moment I stuffed the last backpack into the suitcase and zipped it shut. I knelt there on the floor in my bedroom, laying my chest over the bag, crying and thanking God for this amazing opportunity and asking him to continue to guide me.

Inside the other suitcase ALL a girl needs for a month in the Nicaragua and likely a bit more! Safely tucked inside are a few special items; the envelope with special instructions I am under strict orders to follow, a beautiful owl who will keep and ‘eye’ on my while I am away, my prayer sack, my camera, all the batteries I can carry, my arsenal of meds to keep me well, my special notebook, pen, and ALL of your prayers and well wishes.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart each and every one of you for every kind word, generous gift, prayer, smile, hug and pat on the back. Thank you for coming to visit me, asking me how many days, teasing me about my accent, embracing Spanish and Central America and the willingness to think about something larger than yourself...

My buddies, my friends, my family, my Lucy, my love; YOU are what provides me with the courage and strength to make a trek like this.

Next stop Nicaragua!

Realizing a dream

2011-09-21T22:08:00.001-04:00

This morning I packed up all of the donations in the back of my car and made my way to Vassalboro Community School in Vassalboro, Maine; the home of Miss Roy’s, third grade classroom and site for which operation backpack was to commence.

I snuck in while the students were at lunch… Miss Roy greeted me outside the door with her cart and we loaded it up and made our way to the classroom. A little insider information, I have known Miss Roy for a number of years, we work together in our other careers as servers. This was my first time seeing her as a teacher and visiting her classroom.

When I arrived she gave me a little tour and quickly caught me up to speed on what her students had been learning. I was impressed when she showed me the map pulled down and focused on Central America. My name was on her board and so were the words Nicaragua and Central America. She showed packets she made for the Nica, children, each packet contained something special about Maine. A print out of North America, Maine, snowflakes, snowmen, the chickadee (our state bird), pine tree, honey bee, blueberries, and a lobster.

She had the students desks all set up in a square facing in the middle of the room, where we wheeled in the cart and waited their arrival from recess. Miss Roy then showed me some of the letters the children have been writing to send with me too. They are beautiful. Each child will be writing at least one to stuff in the backpacks in hopes that they will get one back when I return.

Then one by one, each of the sunshiny faces of Miss Roy’s 20 third grade students arrived and took their seats. Miss Roy introduced me to the students who were excited to listen and talk to me. We first talked about where I am going and what I am doing. Each student had a chance to ask and answer a questions and share a little about themselves. We talked about Nicaragua, where it is on the map. What the primary language is there and who might know some Spanish words…Thank you Miss Dora the Explorer many of these students know a lot!

We learned the Spanish word for school "Escuela" teacher "Maestro" and children "Ninos" we talked about differences in their lives in U.S.A. and Nicaraguan children’s lives. We talked about family sizes, and how children in Nicaragua (much like that of the Guatemala) have to work to help support their family and often don’t get to go to school. We talked about the rainforest and what happens when too many trees are cut and what happens to the animals. Miss Roy’s class is full of bright and attentive young people. Then it was time to ask for backpack helpers. When I asked if anyone would like to help me stuff a backpack for the children in Nicaragua every child 'ooohed and ahhhed and wiggled in their chairs.' I was beside myself with joy…I wanted to cry.

Miss Roy and I passed out our make shift backpacks (ziplock bags) to every student. Then we passed out each item going in the bag. Respecting the public school philosophy in the U.S.A. an item not shown that will be packed later is a Spanish bible. I also am enclosing a scent from home a handmade bar of blueberry scented soap. Every child was thrilled to have a hand in stuffing the bags.

Then it was time to reveal one of two surprises Miss Roy and I had for her class. At the bottom of the cart were two blue bags and a yellow bucket. I said, "The children in Nicaragua are very grateful for your gift and your hard work and as a reward we all want you to have a backpack of your very own." Everyone became excited! I asked for some helpers. The helpers helped me take everything out of the bags and place them on their desks. Miss Roy called out the names of two children at a time until everyone had their gifts. When everyone had their gift all the children wanted to know how to say thank you in Spanish "Gracias" was heard from every desk.

Then it was time for surprise number two…a special snack.

Chips & Salsa! While we had our snack we learned some more Spanish by using our flash cards. We said our numbers 1-10 and our colors. The children asked lots of questions about lots of things…Spanish, English, Applebees and Nicaragua. It was wonderful to get to know them. As the clock ticked closer to the end of the day Miss Roy had the students ready the room for going home and everyone sat in the middle of the room on the floor waiting for the bus to be called.

In my heart, a good day, I know was had by all:

3 weeks ago/3 weeks to go!

2011-09-07T23:01:00.003-04:00

Three weeks ago, I bought my ticket gearing up to embark on an amazing journey from Maine to Managua, Nicaragua. Then, I sent out a ‘holla’ to all my friends and family asking for support in creating backpacks for school kids in Nica & in the USA. I also approached a local school teacher and dear friend to see if they might be interested in receiving my donation and following my journey. Three weeks ago I very anxiously wrote to my beautiful new friends in Nicaragua announcing the details of my trip and the details of my donation and they excitedly responded within minutes!

Each day that has passed since has been an unbelievable whirlwind…

I have confirmed and reconfirmed all of my destination spots from my house to my host families. I cannot wait to meet them and get to work on the projects La Mariposa has in store for us.

I am thrilled to let you all know that operation backpack was a huge success! I have had so many friends and family members offer to lend a hand; from cash donations to office supplies –

WE DID IT!

The bags for both here and abroad are ready for packing. Thank you everyone for your unwavering support of me and my projects. I am indeed living my dreams.

Over the next week I will be making a special delivery to a local classroom giving 24 children; notebooks, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, rulers, erasers, glue stick, and scissors. I am hoping those children will help me pack up the bags for the Nica kids. While we were finishing our shopping today we scored some Spanish/English flashcards for the each of the classrooms thanks to my boyfriend’s sharp eye!

I packed up the bag tonight just to see what the weight was looking like and yikes! We are overweight by 12 pounds. But, this is why I pack early and keep checking, I have two bags that I can carry up to 50 pounds a piece in without incurring any fees so...I will need to make some adjustments to my own bag in order to get these much needed supplies on the ground in Nicaragua.

I have a detailed list of all that is left to do before my departure and I really want to express a heartfelt thanks to the extra special friends and loved ones who have pulled me aside and said, “Don’t worry about a thing while you are gone.” I cannot tell you what a great comfort, it is, knowing, you have my back while I am away, know that it goes both ways! I could not do what I do without you.

Next stop, el banco {the bank} turning over some green backs for cordobas and my local pharmacy getting the arsenal of prescriptions my doctor has prescribed to keep me healthy.

Ooooh and just in case you were wondering the wheels are tentatively in motion for Honduras and Guatemala in the spring. I stopped by Retail Therapy for all you local chicas please check out my fundraising project as my closet has been thinned once again.

Stay tuned amigos it’s almost time!

The plan is in motion.

2011-08-17T00:18:00.002-04:00

One thing I have learned throughout my travels is that connections are very important. Fact is I have come to rely upon them.

Each trip I plan I always send a shout out to friends and family that may be able to help or know someone who can and I am always overwhelmed by the kindness that is extended to me.

When my darling Colby daughter suggested I write this blog as a means of sharing the many layers of women helping other women, I never imagined it would have turned into this. I am and always will be forever grateful to every one of you, for supporting my projects and your continued belief in me.

Here I go with the layers:

I spoke with a high school friend, living in the mid-west, who took the time to email me this week. We haven’t seen each other in years but, she reads my blog and really loves my volunteerism. Interestingly enough she has a sibling that teaches in a grammar school local to me, she thought we might be able to connect tying Maine and Nica school children together. Above and beyond that she offered to support my fundraiser, as if connecting her sister and I was not enough. I am thrilled and grateful! This is exactly what I had been dreaming of.

I have operation fill a back pack underway with; 24 composition notebooks, 48 pencils, 24 pink erasers and 24 rulers, thus far. For every back pack that is donated to me for Nicaragua I will donate a back pack to what I am hoping will be the above mentioned classroom…If you are interested in helping out drop me a line at:

Back Packs for Nica

I brought my daughter to Retail Therapy the store owned by my good friend Brenda, who helped me sell my clothing for last January’s Guatemala fundraiser. It filled my heart with such joy to listen to Brenda as she retold the story of how she helped me fulfill my dream, to my daughter. My daughter then turned over her own clothing. Ya she has a project too!

A few years ago, while working for a local women’s retail store, a regular patron of the shop became a friend, as our relationship built over the years and months that followed I learned a lot about her. I believe strongly in women supporting one another therefore; when she told me she was a travel agent, I kept her business card close by, knowing one day I would be calling her.

Well, call her I have! With her help I have been able to visit half a dozen countries.

This morning I called and told her I was ready to buy my Nicaragua tickets. No sooner did we hang up she was calling me back. She had found a bargain and bought the ticket for me (it was a good thing as it was the last one). I was thrilled when she quoted me the price. A HUGE savings for me and I get to leave and return exactly when I want and depart from within my own state (Mainers you know what I mean).

That excited warm feeling has begun taking over reminding me just how fortunate I am and how many wonderful, supportive, loving friends I have. From the email last night to the friend shouting across the parking lot at the market today I know you are ALL there for me as we get ready to embark on this Journey to Nicaragua together. The plan is in motion!

Packing the backpacks…

2011-08-09T22:43:00.003-04:00

My daughter and I made our way through the isle of our local back to school supplier this afternoon. We couldn't help notice all the mom’s and dad’s with their little ones carefully checking each item to see that it met with the teachers specifications and of course their budgets.

We passed the composition notebooks which were $.40 each and a 24 pack of pencils were $.97 each. I stopped walking and just stood there, my daughter looked at me like what’s your problem…I have an idea, and I started grabbing the composition notebooks.

As I piled them onto her arms and mine, twenty-four in all, I explained my idea.

I am going to buy these twenty-four notebooks and make a donation to a local school. I have already begun asking my friends to make a donation to the school where I am going to be volunteering in Nicaragua. I have many people asking me why I don’t donate locally or volunteer locally well, here is the perfect opportunity to show that I do.

Poverty is everywhere. The cost of going back to school in Maine is just as difficult as it is in Nicaragua –to an extent. This is an opportunity for me to help two sets of students, in the same way, share my experience, and perhaps lay the foundation for a future relationship between two classrooms.

Here’s my plan, challenge, dream…call it what you want but, I am going for it.

I estimated for about $3.50 per student a bag could be filled with the basic essentials needed for back to school. Granted it wont be the latest Dora, Smurf, Captain America or whatever was recently released at the movies for our spoiled American children but it will get the job done;

1 Composition notebook

2 pencils

1 pink eraser

1 pencil sharpener

2 black pens

1 red pen

1 yellow highlighter

1 ruler

I plan on taking a gallon size ziplock bag and placing each item listed in the bag as a back to school bag for twenty-four children both here and in Nicaragua.

For each back to school bag donated to the school in Nicaragua, I will donate the same to a local area school.

The end result is that with your support and generosity, a total of forty-eight children will benefit, in two countries.

Interested...
Leave a comment, drop me an email, or catch me on facebook: beachteachn@gmail.com

Thank you!

What about school in Nica?

2011-08-05T23:51:00.003-04:00

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and its education system has suffered as a result. Much of the current problems began before the Sandinistas came to power in 1979, under the Somozas that Nicaraguan education was thrown aside to make way for other political issues. The limited spending on education in Nicaragua resulted in many adolescents being forced into the manual labor market. It also limited educational opportunities for the majority of the population. The result was only about 65% of primary school children were actually enrolled in school. Of those who made it to first grade, 22% finished their remaining six years of primary school.

Three quarters of the rural population was illiterate and rural schools only offered one or two years of schooling. Secondary educational institutions were private and too expensive for the vast majority of Nicaraguans. Some 8% of the population enrolled at university and some upper-class families sent their children abroad where education standards were considered to be higher. There was a lot of work to be done in order to improve current deplorable education standards.

Five years later, the Sandinista government had already managed to double the ratio of GNP which was spent on pre-university education. This was used to increase the number of primary and secondary school teachers and to increase the number of schools with the result that a greater number of students were enrolled at all levels of the Nicaragua educational system. A large reduction of the illiteracy rate took place after the 1980 literacy campaign wherein secondary school students voluntarily took on the role of teaches. The campaign was highly successful and illiteracy decreased from 50% to 23%.

The Ministry of Education then made further efforts to increase the literacy of the country by setting up Popular Education Cooperatives whereby residents of poor communities could gather together in the evenings and make use of materials supplied by the Ministry to try and develop basic reading and mathematical skills. While these self-education classes were designed mainly for adults, many children who were struggling to get into the already overcrowded schools also made use of it.

The next change that the Sandinistas made to Nicaraguan education was that of reshaping the higher education system. Besides making higher education more accessible, they replaced law, humanities and social sciences with agriculture, medicine, education and technology - all of which would benefit the country to a greater degree. However, despite all these efforts Nicaragua was still home to a largely uneducated society by 1993. The largest problem by this time was to provide enough educational facilities for the rapidly growing population. There was even a decline in literacy from the level reached by the end of the 1980 literacy campaign.

However, there is hope on the horizon as young people in this country are becoming increasingly more interested in receiving a better education in Nicaragua. Currently 65% of the population is younger than 25 and both elementary and high school education are now mandatory and free. Several Nicaragua universities have formed an affiliation with various universities in the United States. The Nicaraguan government is increasing funding to improve the education available in the country and promotions have also gone a long way to increasing the level of enrollment in tertiary institutions.

P.S.

If you are interested in making a donation to the Journey to Nicaragua '11 trip I will be accepting donations from now until September 30. The goal is to bring school supplies to aid 24 students. Leave a comment below or email me directly via gmail or facebook.

Thank you!

Getting Cracking On Packing

2011-08-03T14:15:00.012-04:00

The calendar read August 3 as I sipped my coffee this morning. Ya and...I thought, summer is slipping by and you will be headed out to Nicaragua in less than two months. Then it left my lips “YOU WILL BE LEAVING FOR NICARAGUA IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS!”

I sprang from my chair and began writing a list of all the things I need to pack. I made lists of things; I need to do, want to do, should do, have to do, haven’t done, and what I am going do. My mind flooded and heart began racing. I have been looking forward to making this trip for so long and I can hardly believe it is right around the corner.

I have been working really hard at improving my Spanish. I think everyone I have been in contact with over the past eight months can vouch for this! Thank you to everyone for challenging my knowledge, tolerating my learning, being inquisitive about Spanish and even testing my patience. I may not have it mastered but I should be able to get by.

I have also been reading some amazing books by Gioconda Belli, a very famous Nicaraguan author. She has become one of my favorite writers, her personal story is incredibly empowering to women everywhere. I believe in strong, positive, influential female leadership. Trailblazers like Belli have laid the foundation for my generation, my daughters and her daughters generations, to rise above the chains of repression that still exists across our planet.

My amazing, supportive, boyfriend has taken me on a million miles of walking, hiking and mountain biking trips. We've hiked and biked all over Acadia National Park this summer and I am hoping to hike Gulf Hagas, Moxie Falls and Katahdin before I leave. Jack London said it best ‘I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.’

My beautiful daughter, Jami, came home a week ago, after nearly two months of volunteering in Mexico and contracted a nasty parasite, she has been on a strict diet, the poor child is already sensitive to virtually everything and has made a conscious decision to become Vegan. What a healthy lifestyle change it has been for her. Since, her arrival, our home has been turned into a non-animal-created-veggie-fruit-eating-haven-of-good-health. Which, fits nicely with my nourishment plan for Nica. They are mostly vegetarian in the area I will be volunteering and now my body wont go into ‘Oh my goodness there’s no chicken shock…’

I have been working on my going greenness:

My boyfriend, Gary, and I each planted gardens which we all know is better for our health and the environment I have learned a little bit about patio gardening and hanging planter gardens too. ANYONE, ANYWHERE can and should have a garden...For us, we will not need to purchase any vegetables or some fruits; sauces, pickles or tomato based anything from the supermarket. I have also become increasingly more aware of what I am buying and what I am throwing away. He is a huge recycler and I am learning to become one. I am, however, a mass reuser.

For example; I do not throw away the plastic bags from Walmart (if I go there). They are either reused or not accepted as I am a frequent B.M.O.B'er (bring my own bagger). I also don't throw away my ziplocks. I wash them a reuse them until they wont zip anymore. I reuse foil too. I also don’t buy four million Dunkin Donuts coffees anymore (sorry Tony) I grind my own coffee and use the grounds as compost. I don't use those plastic travel mugs either I just finish my coffee at home or use my ceramic cup. Everything left over from our plates and the refrigerator is added to the composter.

Speaking of compost, I am a beginner composter. I plan on having a healthy batch of homemade dirt next spring to, yup, you guessed it to sprinkle on the garden.

My goal for next year is to have a water collector to use as an irrigation system for the garden rather than run the city water through the hose at umpteen billion dollars a gallon per second to come in and out.

I think we know what I do with what few returnable’s I have.

I have donated excess clothing, shoes, jewelry to charity in two ways which just seem to keep on giving. The first, being I sold my like new clothes at a local consignment shop, owned by a childhood friend, who has her shop in my city, and later used the proceeds to support a family in Guatemala. The second, items were given to two groups; a local women’s church organization, that helps women in need and a local special needs operated store in my city which resells the items. Ya, I love to tell that “Re-” story.

I do not write checks anymore. I do not use the post office anymore. I pay all my bills online, I receive all my bills o line and when I am not online my computer is off and disconnected.

I have been reading about using plastic containers as planters for seedlings and have a stash in my garage of them set aside for next spring.

I hang my laundry, even if it means waiting for a sunny day. I have literally unplugged everything in my house that plugs in with the acceptation of the core items (i.e. refrigerator) everything else gets plugged in as needed. I do not run things unless I have to.

I have become a nitpick about flushing and running the shower. I don’t run the water while I brush my teeth or am rinsing the dishes (most of the time).Though, I confess I do love a nice long hot shower.

I have been eliminating frivolousness like having three air conditioners and four televisions. I dumped cable two years ago and haven’t put three a.c.’s in, in years. I will be lightening my load soon so be watching...for a new RE summer of 2012.

I ditched the landline six years ago, we have cell phones what’s the point.

I don’t run my car for hours and hours. I run it when I am in it. It makes my stomach turn when I see people leave their vehicle running and running for no reason…really you are part of the reason the environment sucks and that gas prices are so high.

I watch the things that I buy in the store. I don’t like to buy needless senseless items that are only going to fill up the landfill later and kill a million trees before it gets there. I don’t buy boxed cereal, bottled drinks (often), Kleenex, or tear off the top sheet of the note pad cause it’s dirty. Actually, I am pretty careful about what prepackaged items I buy.

I also watch the impact certain cleaners have on the environment and other chemicals. I don’t just dump things down the drain, behind the garage, on the side of an old country road or into dark plastic bag (so the city trash collectors can’t see it). I am not the best at any of these things but, I am a work in progress.

I loved the talk I had with my general manager at work one night about some of the ways our restaurant recycles and it got me thinking about the oil and paints and left over what-nots at my house. He told me our restaurant sells the grease to a local company that makes soap. NICE! Slowly, I have been finding ways to give these type of items to people who use left over by products or pieces parts rather than bag it up and put it at the end of the driveway on Monday mornings.

I also try very hard to be aware of where my products come from. Yes, I know some things are not yet in my control but I do make a good faith effort to buy local. I believe in supporting small businesses and removing myself from the corporate shmorporate world. If and when I can I also, as sexist as some of you may feel this is, believe in supporting woman in business. After all empowering woman is what I am all about…

Of course there is more I have learned and much more to learn, that’s why it is called ‘going green.’ It's a step in the right direction…hence the green footprint in the sand...It's kind of my own little trademark.

What am I going to pack…I have my what-to-wears already figured out. It’s HOT there so light weight, t-shirts, khakis and capri’s the usual. I am working on learning to braid my own hair so I wont be packing the blow dryer, curling iron and hair spray...Mayyyyybe...I also have my bug repellent (unfortunately it has deet in it) and my bug bed net! I shouldn’t have any bug incidents but who knows. A good score at L.L.Beans landed me a pair of comfy hiking shoes that will now be a part of all future trips to Central America. Most every item I am packing is environmentally friendly. I am really excited as I have begun to pack ‘gifts’ to bring to the organization and donations. I am making a conscious effort to use “RE” items or stick to my rule being corporate-shmorprate free.

I am really looking forward to getting down to Nicaragua doing some amazing volunteer work, visiting, making new friends, touring the gorgeous country that awaits, studying more Spanish (immersion is the bomb) but, one the things I am most excited about is learning more “RE’s.”

Here's the push…I would love to fill up a bag of goodies to bring to Nica made by your creative and talented hands. Be it a quilt, knitted mittens, booties, hat, or scarf I would love to share it. If you are a soap maker, body lotion or potion creator, have a creative crafty recyclable hand and want to share an idea on recycling and reusing, I want to bring it (especially if that craft has instructions). If you want to share your story on your own RE's success send it to me. I will share it. If you have organic farming tips, self sustaining environmentally friendly advise to share with a flourishing existing farm I would love to pass it on. If you are an animal conservationist and have helpful hints please feel free to share them. Also, if you are into REforestation I want to hear from you, sharing is caring (corny but true).

I really would love to bring coloring books, note books, pencils, pens, rulers, crayons, and markers (especially from recycled paper though I am really not fussy). School begins for everyone very soon and I would love to carry items for at least two dozen students to have one pen, one pencil, and one notebook for the school I will be involved with in Nicaragua.

If you are interested post a comment, email me, facebook me, text or call, or just stop by the restaurant where I work.

The Bottle Lady

2011-07-26T14:28:00.000-04:00

The Bottle Lady

One Monday morning I was putting my garbage at the end of the street, for curb side pick, not unusual as pick up in our city is Monday. I dragged out all the rubbish, boxes and other empty containers of ‘stuff’ that cannot be taken to recycling and piled them up so they wouldn’t blow away. Without realizing I had brought a bag of bottles among the trash.

What happened next to this day still brings tears to my eyes...

It was about 15 minutes later; I was hanging laundry, noticed an old car driving slowly past my house. The car was belting out Spanish Christian music. Bear in mind we are in the far-east corner of the USA so that in itself grabbed my attention. A moment later, the car stopped and slowly backed up, a scruffy heavy set, dark lady with long salt and pepper hair stepped out. Nearly, as round as she was tall she moved with some difficulty around her car and looked at my trash pile. She looked up and in broken English said, “Me have your bottles?” I peeked around my clothes line and smiled and agreed.

As she picked up the bag, I watched her every move, my mind wandered off to the families that work the Guatemala City Dump and the terrible conditions they are exposed to daily. My heart sank deep inside my chest as my mind returned to the scene playing out in front of me.

This was not Guatemala, this was my hometown. I thought my God and not because I was afraid, not because she disgusted me but, because we have really taken a terrible turn in the USA...Call me naive but aren't we supposed to be one of the richest in countries in the world?

Clearly not from where I was standing.

The sweet older lady plopped the bag in her trunk slammed the cover down and hollered, “thank you!” Because I recognized her music and her distinct accent I replied back in Spanish “De nada.” She looked straight at me and beamed waving her hand, moving gingerly around to her car door, climbed in and drove away.

The following Monday she passed by again as I was hanging laundry. I hadn’t put any bottles out and didn’t think anything of it. She slowed down passing by with her Spanish Christian music playing, she yelled out the window, “Buenos dias!” I smiled and waved greeting her as she drove away. Returning to my laundry it occurred to me she was looking for bottles. I stopped my laundry and went inside and bagged up the few I had and brought them to the end of the driveway. I didn’t know if she’d be back. She hadn’t returned before I left for work but when I returned that night they were gone. I smiled thinking ah ha I was right, good.

It became a routine after that. Every Monday I put the trash out to the curb and a bag of bottles off to the side for her. Every Monday the bottles were gone before the trash. I seldom see her now, we don’t converse but somehow I feel a kinship towards this woman.

This has been going on for a number of months. I don’t know anything about her, who she is, where she comes from, all I know is on Mondays she collects my bottles, and when I am around we greet each other in Spanish. She is a sweet, polite old bottle lady in a way I feel like she is a friend and together in a strangely unique way we help each other out.