Games, gestures and great friends.

Today we woke up bright and early at 5:30 am just in time to catch the beautiful sunrise painted pinks and reds. After a few good pancakes we headed to Centro De Fe for our second day in Nicaragua. First we joined the grade 11’s English class where we practiced our Spanish and our Nicaraguan friends practiced their English. We then split off into three different groups joining primary classes. The groups were taught by the children about road safety and using water thoughtfully.

We then played games and built relationships with the younger students of Centro De Fe. We all joined together after that and had the craziest, loudest recess we have ever witnessed. The kids were a joy to be around and a bit easier to communicate with than the grade 11 students. After a delicious lunch with the Centro De Fe teachers we walked to a nearby park and had a sports afternoon with the grade 11’s. We played hockey, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and other group games. After that we were pretty much all wiped out and sticky with sweat. But it was worth the bonding that took place with the students and playing some of our favourite sports.

            The sports were an easy way to communicate with the students because we didn’t have to use long sentences to really bond. We all could laugh and run around together as if we were good friends already. We could communicate without words but with actions and activities. Everyone on the team thoroughly enjoyed themselves even if sports weren’t their thing.

          Playing with the kids in the primary classes was also a cool experience. They were so lively and eager to be our friends. They greeted us with hugs and smiles. Although we couldn’t completely understand them it was still neat to spend time with them.  

(written by Katrina VanderMeulen)