Reasons to be Optimistic!

I am at work in the administration office of Masinfa here in Nicaragua. Students have been coming in all morning excited to give me a list of their ideas to put on our new trash cans (a school wide anti-litter project). Just reading a couple of their sheets has me a little emotional. Two weeks ago every classroom/public area at the school had trash on the ground. Now students are unleashing their creativity to try to win soccer balls or translation dictionaries in a competition for ideas. With this competition and the help of an environmental student group, the students are starting to take ownership of the project!! Life is good. Not to mention that 76% of students in a survey I did, said they wanted to learn more about/have discussions about the environment in their English classes. :) :)

My Sustainable Work Plan

Like I have said before, Notre Dame has provided me the opportunity to work with the Foundation for Sustainable Development this summer. FSD works in many countries around the world, and in a wide range of areas. The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, and in each country where it does work there is at least one office that has local staff and a coordinator from the US (who has a lot of in country experience). From my observations FSD is made up of young people, either students still in school taking a summer, or young people doing 6 month - 1 year internships after graduating. In all of the countries and with each volunteer, sustainability is the most important part of the experience. Working with FSD has substantially enhanced my effectiveness in Nicaragua, and helped shape my views on development.

My summer in Nicaragua and many conversations with other volunteers, and people with experience in international work has really rocked my perspective on foreigners working in developing countries. A do good spirit doesn't always produce results after implementation, or the giving of materials. In reality naivete and an altruistic spirit can at times harm a country and the people someone is trying to help. Gift giving that isn't sustainable can raise expectations or be culturally insensitive. Volunteer groups that don't try to integrate into the culture can be degrading to the local communities. FSD is relentless in emphasizing the empowerment of Nicaraguans to achieve development. Gift giving is strictly limited to items that will be used by many Nicaraguans for many years. While there is undoubtedly a need for money to put fish in the pond, I think foreign aid both governmental and non-profit should do be done with extreme care to involve every possible in country/community human and physical resource.

I have learned a lot in my time at MASINFA, and living in Nicaragua, but lessons I have learned from my FSD experience will certainly stick with me as well. The organization requires every intern to develop a detailed work plan in Spanish and English to be reviewed by FSD employees, and employees of the internship site, before the intern receives a $200 minifund to use for development projects to improve the work of their local organization. For students who have ideas that exceed $200 they are able to apply for more money by submitting a comprehensive grant application to San Francisco. The work plan requires students to create firm goals with objectives and activities that give the intern a clear path to accomplishing the goals. This process not only increases the intern's productivity and capacity to help the organization, but helps keep interns motivated and passionate in the pursuit of sustainable ideas. It is easy to get overwhelmed and lose direction working in development, defining goals and how to accomplish them early on is an invaluable step to achieving success. While it is always important to retain some flexibility, creating a work plan has helped me maximize my impact during my short 10 week volunteer experience. It is a concept I will certainly apply to other aspects of my life, and future volunteer and development endeavors.

My work plan:

I plan to complete four projects during my time in Nicaragua that will improve MASINFA in the short term, as well as continue to be in effect long after my departure. Firstly, I seek to create supplemental curriculum for the English classes that will generate more interest in learning the language, as well as provide the teachers opportunities to integrate material outside of the textbook. I envision the curriculum to include a cd for each teacher with corresponding activities based on the lyrics of each song, a set of articles on entertainment topics like sports and music, short readings on important Nicaraguan history or historical world events, and articles on socially conscious material like environmentalism, youth empowerment, economic development, and heroes of community service from around the world. Developing the curriculum will take substantial time outside of class, both at my home in Masaya and at MASINFA. I will use the internet and my collection of magazines that I brought to Nicaragua to compile all of my material for the curriculum. This project is the central focus of my work outside of direct help during my time in the classroom. As I am collecting information I will keep my professors up to date on my activity, so I am constantly receiving their input on the material. Each article I find will include a series of questions, some vocabulary to pull from the article, and explanations of any idioms or unusual expressions. My available resources are the ability to consult my English professors, internet access at home and at MASINFA, printer and copier at MASINFA. I will need to purchase photocopies as well as various school supplies such as binders with dividers, as well as blank cds for 6 different English professors and one additional copy for MASINFA to have for a reference. Purchasing music will not be an issue because I have music on my computer that can be used.

My second project is to improve the MASINFA website with my ability to translate content into professional English, as well as assist Freddy, a MASINFA employee in making suggestions for changes that should be made to formatting and content. MASINFA contracts a foreigner for the website hosting and major changes to the template or content of the website. This man has the capacity to include a link to display the website in English as well as make changes that Freddy and I develop. One of my ideas at this early stage is making the website more personal by allowing users to get to know students through profiles of current students and success stories of former students. This project will not likely consume much of my time, because it will largely be focused on me translating website content and MASINFA materials.

My third project is to create an anti-litter campaign at MASINFA. Trash cans are unlabeled and rarely used at MASINFA. MASINFA reinforces the habit of students throwing trash on the ground or stuffing it in the desks in the classrooms by not raising awareness about the problem and simply having a janitor clean it all up. I have discussed the idea with the janitor and she is very supportive, and will likely play a role in reminding the students. Currently there is one large trash bin in an inconvenient location, and 4 small (unlabeled) buckets dispersed around the property. My first task will be to try and find environmentally conscious students to help me in carrying out the project. If I can assemble a small group, they will be a great start in helping to persuade other students and carrying out the tasks of painting the trash cans. Having a group of students will also make the activity enjoyable and more creative. I plan to have 3 large trash cans painted (put in the 3 areas with the most traffic, including the cafeteria area) and 11 small bins (for each classroom).

15 de julio

My formation of a group of environmental students will be created by going around after classes and asking students who is interested. Once a group is assembled we will purchase the needed supplies and begin our work. The project will start with painting three large trash cans. After painting one large trash can successfully the same group of students can replicate their job on a new trash can, but do it in the following week with the help of other students and in the middle of the parking/hang out area so that we catalyze student interest in the activity. After finishing the 3 large cans we can complete the smaller buckets and bins to be placed around the MASINFA campus. I will hold a competition between the morning students to encourage students to think of phrases or sentences to put on the trash cans as words of encouragement/reminders to use the trash cans. This part of the project will help transfer ownership of the project from me to the students by letting them express why trash cans are important and at the same time generating interest in the campaign. The students will have the opportunity to win a soccerball, baseball or vollyeball, or Spanish to English dictionaries. In order to advertise the competition, and spread word of the campaign I will request permission from all the teachers at MASINFA to present to their classes for 5-10 minutes. The presentation will include information about the competition and the new trash cans at MASINFA, as well as explain the importance of abstaining from littering. The presentation will focus on cleaning up MASINFA, but also changing habits outside the classroom. Litter is a large problem in Nicaragua, and likely a significant impediment to tourism. "Respecting the environment is important no matter how many people are littering and no matter where you are, one person makes a difference." Through the competition, presentations, painting the cans, and a lot of conversations outside of class I will have recruited a team of students and faculty to enforce the usage of the trash cans after I leave to ensure the project is sustainable.



The fourth project is to start a DVD collection in the library at MASINFA. Many students ask me what they can do to practice. A method I love to use, and many people who have learned a second language have said the same thing, is watching movies in another language. Based on me asking around at least 50 percent of the students at MASINFA either have a TV and DVD player or a computer in their homes. Whether they have cable or not the students with televisions have access to movies in Spanish with subtitles. While this is good practice for the students, I believe that DVDs are much better because the ability to pause is essential to learning from a movie. Many times I have tried hard to stay focused on Spanish subtitles in a movie but been unsuccessful on live TV. There isn’t always enough time to listen, read, and process. With the ability to press pause students can take time to listen to pronunciation and discern the words in English. Also, DVDs provide the capacity for students to challenge themselves, especially the more advanced students, to watch without subtitles, or to watch movies in English with English subtitles. I have transitioned to watching movies in Spanish with Spanish subtitles and writing down words I don’t know and looking them up in a translation dictionary while I watch. It has worked very well for me, and I want to make it possible for my students at MASINFA. The library currently has a full time employee, Mon-Sat, and a system for renting out books. There are already empty shelves in the library so space is not an issue. DVDs need to be purchased or donated, and a list of rules for students who rent DVDs needs to be put on file in the library. I plan to make DVD rentals available to afternoon and weekend technical classes, but am still considering along with teachers and administration about permitting the younger students in the morning to rent. I plan to start the DVD library while I am here by using my FSD minifund to purchase 30 DVDs (1 dollar each and I can test each one at the stand to be sure it has language/subtitle options). However, when I return to the United States I will do a DVD collection drive in my neighborhood and community in South Carolina, as well as do a collection at Notre Dame. My friends from Nicaragua that attend Notre Dame can bring back the DVDs on fall or Christmas break. So if you are reading this start thinking about the DVDs collecting dust in the cabinet next to your TV. If you are interested in sending DVDs for this project, send me an email at crhodenbaugh@gmail.com. You can send them to my home address, and they will be in the library at MASINFA, in Masaya, Nicaragua by Christmas Break. I promise you that students will make the most of this opportunity, and that a small sacrifice on your part can go a long way for the students here. Any DVD in English works, it does not need subtitles in Spanish. Every DVD comes with at least subtitles in English (so everything but foreign films). I will classify the DVDs for the library into DVDs with and without Spanish subtitles.


An example of a work plan chart, one is made for each element of the project

Best Weekend Yet!

Last weekend was extremely eventful in the best possible of ways.

A walk on Friday through Monimbol, an area of Masaya, took me past a pick up game of soccer up on the hill. The courts look out over the mountains and the city of Masaya. I am falling in love with this sport during my time here. I have been practicing when I can and want to play in a casual game before I leave.



The weekend started off with an easy Friday night, staying in, because Movistar (the cell phone company that 45% of Nicaragua uses, and is popular across Central America) shut down for about 30 hours. That's right, a cell phone company went down for 30 hours, can you imagine what would happen in the US if Verizon went down for more than 24 hours?? People here didnt panic and just went about there lives. When I went in to the Movistar store I was the only person in there inquiring why I couldn't make phone calls, the employee in the store calmly informed me that the the entire country's network was out and she wasn't sure when it would come back on (I found out later they had problems across Central America).

Saturday afternoon I helped administer a listening and conversation test (my responsibilities are growing in the classroom!). Also, since the revolution in 1979, July 3rd has been a day of celebration for the Sandinistas. (The Sandinistas, also known as FSLN, are the socialist party of Nicaragua who led the revolution that toppled the Somoza government in 1979). Victory was achieved by the Sandinistas on July 19, 1979, on July 3rd of that year there was an important event. From various descriptions of what occurred I believe it goes like this...Somoza, the president at the time, was using airplanes (almost certain they were purchased by the US, the US government was a consistent cheerleader of the Somoza regime) to bomb his own people in the capital city of Managua. He had lost control of the war and took to a strategy of desperation. Many Sandinistas and people affected by the bombing in Managua fled to Masaya and in Masaya there was an important battle won by the Sandinistas, a turning point in the revolution. So the tradition became, whenever a Sandinista is President (or in reality, every year Daniel Ortega has been president), there is a march from Managua to Masaya. The march stops in different places on the way in which Ortega gives a short speech.

A sign in Nindiri central park celebrating the day.

I joined two of my friends from MASINFA and caught up with the parade in Nindiri, a small city next to Masaya. We waited for two hours in the crowd to see the speech. Unfortunately I didn't get a good photo of the crowd from within. The 2 hours I stood waiting for the President to show up was a full out dance party. There were huge speakers, and a dj mixing different revolution songs, reggaeton, bachata, techno etc. A really incredible glimpse into both the culture of Nicaragua and the politics here. I was front row to watch the President's speech in Nindiri. On Monday at school, one of my teachers told me that he saw me on Nicaraguan national news in a crowd close up!! Awesome.

President Ortega starting his very brief (5 minute) speech.

My group met up with others and we walked in the parade from Nindiri to Masaya. Ortega spoke at about 11PM in Nindiri and the night finished with his speech at 2:30 AM in Masaya. The revolution plays an enormous role in Nicaraguan politics (it is one of the only countries of the 20th century to pull off an armed revolution and have revolutionaries take over, and maintain power). The parade is one of the many days of celebration every year.

Fireworks from Masaya in the distance as we walked in the parade.

Political appeals on the left rely largely on reminding people of the excitement of the revolution and celebrating that socialists run the country. For everyone affiliated with the revolutionary forces, directly or through their family, the events are the best times of the year. There are intense levels of pride in their accomplishments in ousting the Somoza dictatorship. It is easy to see why Nicaragua consistently has a dicey political situation. The division between political ideologies here is extreme. Ortega won the last election in 2006 with less than 40% of the vote. The issue in the upcoming election is if all the opposition parties will be able to unite behind one candidate. If they are divided again, Ortega will win the election. The opposition ranges from the MRS (Movimiento Renovador Sandino) a social democratic party who support much of what the revolution was about but do not believe in Ortega and his anti-democratic behavior, to the more conservative ALN (Alianza Liberal Nicaragüense) and PLC (Partido Liberal Constitucionalista). The conservative parties would likely be classified as center or center left in U.S. politics. Most people if they do not share political views will not touch the topic of politics in conversation. I have witnessed a couple of close calls, in which friends got a little testy and had to drop it (way more intense than in the US). It is sad that Nicaragua is a country largely void of a real exchange of ideas in politics. The main political issue facing the country today is retaining democracy, instead of a real debate on how to improve the well being of Nicaraguans (Ortega has been heavily criticized by opposition for adjusting the constitution to accommodate his multiple term presidency, 1979-1990, 2006-2010, the U.S. certified the 2006 election as fair and legal but in 2008 international observers were not permitted and there were heavy allegations of problems with vote counting in the mayoral races). Ortega's speeches were more akin to toasts to the celebration than anything of substance (part of that is that the day is a long party, but I was disappointed he didn't use the opportunity to discuss something of substance). The divisions are deep, and largely responsible for many of the countries problems. The key to success of a divided country is that parties can unite on the most serious of issues. When divisions are too deep ineffective governance and sub-optimal solutions become the norm (we are starting to see this in the US in my opinion).


The speech in Masaya (about 1 and a half blocks from my house).


A guy about my age standing atop a human tower proudly waving the red and black of the FSLN.


PART 2 of my weekend started at 5:30 AM on Sunday morning. I went to San Juan del Sur with a group of friends from MASINFA, and another intern from MASINFA that works at the medical clinic. The sun comes out in Nicaragua between 5 and 5:30 AM. By 9:30 the sun is hot, and by 12 the sun is at peak temperature. The sun goes down much earlier here as well, between 6-7 it becomes dark. San Juan del Sur is a city on the Pacific Ocean in the southwestern part of Nicaragua, probably an hour or less to get to Costa Rica from there. It is in the department of Rivas (Nicaragua is divided into departments, kind of like our states but government power here is more centralized). The city is a popular destination for foreign tourists and Nicaraguan tourism. From what I heard prior to going I expected a full out tourism zone, complete with resorts on the beach and lots of more upscale tourist options. However, the city is really quaint and laid back. There are two or three upper class hotels but they are far from resorts (not western hotels, only buildings, no private beaches). It feels more like a beach town for the hostel type of tourist, which I prefer. It is also a popular destination for talented surfers (a major competition has been held in the city before). The waves were enormous, and I have never felt an undertoe so strong. During my time I spotted white guys with dread locks, a young US woman with a healthy supply of armpit hair, and I talked with a Nicaraguan and Rastafarian merchant. There were also many Nicaraguan families, and groups of European tourists. The sands weren't perfectly white like many of the Nicaraguan Islands or more exclusive beaches along the coast, but the scenery was unbelievably gorgeous. The highlights of the day were bodysurfing in enormous waves, playing soccer on the beach and learning ball juggling tricks, and hiking up a small mountain that is the corner of the bay. On top of the mountain is a park with a large statue of Jesus and a cross.

Jesus's hand is extended blessing the entire cove. The park was extraordinary.







A group of friends from MASINFA.

Truly one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen, we stayed in the park for more than an hour soaking in the views. (more pictures will be added in the next day or two from San Juan del Sur, internet access is limited!