Day 3: Let the Work Begin
It’s work day – work day in the community. Today is the first day I truly immerse myself into the Nicaraguan culture and local population. Another 7:00 AM wakeup call and another excruciatingly long bus ride awaits.
We finally arrive at our destination, Rincon De Garcia.
I find my group shortly after devouring my lunch. With seven other Jesuit students (a variety of students from all four represented Jesuit
high schools), we walk to a specific location where we will install a modern bathroom.
The “modern bathroom,” or any equivalent, is certainly something that we take for granted in the United States. Even the least fortunate in the United States typically have access to a clean bathroom. Consequently, I know that I will be making a tangible difference in someone’s life.
As the leader explains the plans, I fathom the challenge ahead of me. With the ground far from moist from the atypical lack of rain, my shovel makes little progress; however, some pick axe reinforcements from Jacob Keeley and Jack Kelley (both of whom were in my small group, along with a few others, for the week) quickly loosen up the ground. We make outstanding progress, progress that the Amigos for Christ leaders can attest to.
But as it is often the case with great headway, an obstacle slows us down. An immense, perhaps 400 pound, boulder sits in the way. We dig and dig and dig to little avail – the boulder simply won’t budge. We completed 85% of our task in 30 minutes, but it has taken us nearly four hours to move the boulder a matter of inches. But with four people prying the boulder, we finally move the rock the remaining inches needed.
A new day with new challenges awaits as I finally hit the bed around 2:00 AM.
Day 4: Doin’ Work
Now that was a good night’s rest, despite the high temperatures and humidity. That said, much of the credit goes to my 98% deet, that I sprayed on my mattress in order to repel insects.
Backpack on, water bottles and camelback loaded to their respected capacities, I prepare for another day of labor to produce modern bathrooms.
We arrive at the site and gather all necessary utilities. It’s time to work. It is significantly hotter today than it was yesterday – scorching hot. That doesn’t matter. I hurl the pickaxe at the ground and shovel the dirt all the while attempting to solve riddles and logic problems with my group, including the famous 4 gallon creation with a 3 gallon and 5 gallon tank.
We finish our first house’s bathroom and quickly move to the next house. The humidity quickly increases, and soon enough, it rains.
In order to take cover, the local Nicaraguans, hospitable as always, invite us to stay in the nearby house furnished with a plethora of chairs, a hammock, and even electronic equipment such as a stereo. Always smiling, the family members put forth their best effort to please us. In fact, the Nicaraguans play music (even some Rihanna and Eminem was played in the form of the hit “Love the Way You Lie.”) We, the Jesuit students, converse with each other and even a little with the family. Meanwhile, Danny, our Amigos for Christ group leader, plays marbles with one of the children. Everyone has a good time.
At last, the water stops descending from the heavens, and we say one last prayer with the Nicaraguan family before departing for the day.
My arms fatigued, I thank God for this opportunity and our ability to directly impact an impoverished household. But best of all, it is going to be “game day” tomorrow!
Day 5: Orphans and Sports
After an extra hour of sleep, I feel quite refreshed to seize the day. Mr. Perry has briefed me about the orphanage – the details certainly aren’t uplifting.
But I am not going to let nervousness ruin this occasion that the orphans look forward to every time. I walk in and notice the orphans in the distance – it is really saddening and heartbreaking.
After learning about the children from some of the workers, I begin to massage the girl’s head and shoulders as that is what she seems to enjoy. It really is a struggle to sit next to them, and it is not because of their physical conditions, but their communication issues.
Next, I walk to another group of orphans to say hello to Danny (associated with Amigos for Christ), Rob Giltner ’13 and another Tampa Jesuit student. Both orphans, already enjoying the presence of Giltner and Danny, are further gratified by my presence, something that reciprocally gratifies myself.
However, all good things come to an end. We now hit the streets of Chinandega for some shopping and eating.
I roam the streets of Chinandega with some of my fellow Jesuit brothers including Collin Buechel ’15, Jacob Keeley ’13, Bennet Harrison ’15, Rob Giltner ’13, Patrick McNearney ’13, Connor O’Hanlon ’13, Michael White ’15 and Miguel Sotelo ’14. The atmosphere is much different than that of the United States. More specifically, each square foot of sidewalk is infested with a diverse array of vendors. To take advantage of this unique opportunity, I decide to purchase a Real Madrid soccer jersey. Of course, it is made by Adidas, but for just eight United States dollars, I just can’t pass it up. The jersey is surprisingly comfortable and near genuine quality. Just think about it: I can purchase a Real Madrid jersey in Nicaragua for $8 and many of us can barely get a meal for $8.
After some surprisingly good food at Smudy, a local eatery, and some browsing of the streets and scenery, it’s time to head to the Sports Zone for a soccer and softball tournament. The fields are newly installed, and everyone (chaperones, Nicaraguans, Amigos for Christ workers, etc.) is ready to play.
Soccer is most certainly not my sport. Even so, I still manage to quickly score the first goal for my team.
After plenty of rounds of play, the championship and 3rd place game awaits. Thankfully, we are playing in the 3rd place game. The results are unsurprising as we easily achieve a win after a dominant showing from our team’s players.
Details of the game aside, I am thrilled to have taken victory – a great way to end a great day.
Day 6: Strong Foundations + Digging Deeper
The final day of work on this mission trip has arrived, and this day brings new, previously unseen objectives and processes to building the modern bathrooms.
My group, after unloading the materials from the bus, walks to our new location. Whereas previous days consisted of persistent digging, I learn that we will make the concrete foundation for a modern bathroom today.
With the outline already dug, my group creates the concrete in a unique way by using cement, rocks, dirt and water. First we mix the dirt and cement (not to be confused with concrete) until a blended composition is attained. We then push the mixture outwards to create a ring-like shape. Shortly afterwards, I dump rocks around the edge of the ring-like shape before water is added to the center.
Now that the ingredients are there, we just have to create the concrete mix. Doing so, however, is no easy feat. Constant mixing is required. As such, my group consistently takes turns mixing, an overbearing physical labor experience for sure. It doesn’t take long for my arms to fatigue.
After plenty of hard work, we pour the concrete into the outline where rebar has already been placed. The work for the day is completed at one house, but work remains across the street.
There, we must dig deeper. The hole, as of now, is approximately three feet deep; however, we must dig five feet deep.
What really blows my mind is the fact that we dig a mere five feet into the soil, while the local Nicaraguans must dig the last 20 feet (reaching 25 feet deep total). However, that is not an issue of a lack of effort, but an issue of insurance and liability – after all, digging 25 feet deep is never the safest thing that one can do, for a cave-in is always a possibility.
Regardless, I pick-axe with all available force to soften up the land so others can easily remove the land by means of a shovel. The work is grueling, but we finish the job before heading back to the Amigos for Christ compound in Chinandega for some rest and relaxation.
