Nicaragua 2015: Special Care for Special Children

Angela Moore writes:

Hello everyone,

First of all, did everyone say "rabbit" today?  Say "rabbit" on the first day of the month and you will have good luck for the rest of the month.

We all had another fantastic day.  Although we broke into two groups, it was evident when we returned to the hotel and listened to each other's stories, we all knew we experienced a rewarding day.

My group, Daryl, Ximena, Freddie, our interpreter, and Oscar, a representative from NRN, went to San Dino.  Daryl sponsors a special needs little girl through NRN.  Her name is Ruby.  The name of her school is Ministerial Jehova Jireh.  There are  8  students, one principal, two teachers, and one young man who volunteered.  They all wear uniforms; blue pants and a white shirt.  The name on the uniform is Agape.

We arrived at the school around 9:30.  We had just missed the horse therapy.  The students were all working on different lessons, depending on what level they were on.  The children had their snack at around 10:00.  The children bring their own drink and snack.  Most of the boys shared their drink and snack.  After snack, some played ball, while others found Minecraft on my phone.  Imagine, they recognize and know how to play Minecraft here.

After snack, the children completed a craft brought by Daryl.  It was a self-sticking cardboard cross that the students put gems and glitter on.  Everyone loved it. The children loved having their pictures taken.  They had a chance to take pictures with our phones.  School ended at 11:00.  All the children are brought to and picked up after school by a family member.  Just like home, there are a few stragglers.  While we were waiting for the children to go home, three butterflies "fluttered" by; one for Daryl, Ximena, and myself.

I thoroughly loved my visit to Ruby's school.  I felt right at home.  I met a beautiful little girl named Crystal.  She is 8 years old.  Luckily for me, she does not have a sponsor.  How great is that!

We took Ruby and her mom to lunch at Tip-Top, a chicken restaurant.  They also had a play scape, which Ruby loved.  The fried chicken was delicious!  Of course, Ruby did not want to leave.  When she heard she could show us how she rode her bike, that made it better.  At Ruby's house, we met her grandmother, uncle, and brother Ian.  We also met her dog,Baluzi.  Unfortunately for me, she did not want to come over.  Granger, a visiting dog, was not friendly either.  I was able to play with a puppy at the hotel.

Ruby's grandmother's house was very spacious; a front porch. 3 bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen.  They were cooking in the back.  It smelled so good.  Her gran other let us taste some.  They also have two corn grinders; one for corn meal to make tortillas and one for cereal.  Ruby's grandmother earns some money when people come from the neighborhood to grind their corn.  Her son cuts hair on the side to earn extra money.  They are not afraid to work.

As usual, our breakfast and dinner at the hotel were excellent today.

It is wonderful how friendly and gracious people are here.  I think I have "out-written" my stay.  Peace to everyone.