Dirt and Lolly Pop Slober

Everyday here ends the same. Dirty feet, dirty clothes, completely exhausted. I have remnants of paint, lolly pop slober, dirt and food in my hair and on my clothes but I don't mind at all. I am exhausted everyday and everyday am closer with the kids. I am so sad to have to tell them goodbye at the end of this week, at least goodbye until my next trip here.

Today, I let some of the kids paint my ukulele and taught Juan how to play some chords last night. They love it and all go crazy when I bring it out. So much fun!

A Long Time Coming

This morning was beautiful. I had forgotten how it felt to sleep with the windows open. The weather is perfect. Warm & sunny with a nice cool breeze. I woke up forgetting I had fallen asleep in summer. I love hearing all the different bird noises in Nica, none of them I can identify. I am so happy that today is the day I get to travel to the orphanage- about an hour outside of Managua and in the middle of nowhere. I will be staying there the rest of the week. I enjoyed every moment of the drive to the orphanage and in such anticipation. Nicaragua is so beautiful. If you landed here in the middle of the countryside, you would think you landed in a tropical paradise. Until, of course, you saw how a majority of the people here live- in extreme poverty. Next to Haiti, Nicaragua is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

When we got to the orphanage, most of the older kids were still in school as it was still before noon. The little guys were still there in the preschool class though so we walked in the class just to say hi. Immediately I recognized several of the kids. I was so excited to see them doing well! Most of the little pre-schoolers were babies when I last saw them but it didn't take long for them to latch on all over again. So happy right now . . .

When the older kids got back from school, I got to see several more of the kids who I had gotten close to before. It made me so happy to see these amazing kids and to know that they remembered me, too. I spent the day catching up with them, making up for lost time. Playing on the playground, hugging, running, spinning.

I have also gotten to know the new English teacher here. Her name is Sylvia, and she is very sweet. I brought a lot of supplies for her to use in the classroom, to assist her with her English lessons, ect. She was very grateful to have it.

I am completely worn out but can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow.

Back in Nicaragua!

Sunday, February 28th

Being in Nicaragua feels like I have completely stepped out of my life. It is different in almost every single way. I arrived in Nicaragua tonight around 9 pm. Everything went very smooth getting here, and I met up with Scott and his daughter, Julie, in the airport. As soon as we were about to land, I felt so excited about being here again. It was a little surreal to step outside in Managua, where it was humid and around 85 degrees, a huge change from the snow and 30 degree weather in Kansas City. So excited about seeing the kids at the orphanage again tomorrow morning!

I am planning a trip back to Nicaragua in February-March 2010. I plan to update with new photos and blog entries. In the meantime, I posted a couple more of my favorite pictures from my last trip there.

Lacy

Winter Collection available at Belle Epoque Salon December 5th!

The new Winter collection of handbags will be on display and available for purchase during December's First Fridays event at the Belle Epoque Salon. The event will be held from 5-10pm on Friday, December 5th. There will be food, wine, and other functional artwork on display by many talented artists. The salon is located at 1518 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64108. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Reflections On the Trip

Returning back to the U.S. after the trip to Nicaragua was one of the strangest experiences I have had. I knew being with the children would effect me. I knew it was possible that it would change me. However, I had no idea how deeply. I went to the orphanage because we wanted to give what we could to the children. We wanted to improve their lives, and give them the possibility for a brighter future. What I did not expect was how much the children gave me. The children who live here are amazing. They are so full of life, so bright, so intelligent, so inspiring. To be around them gave me a completely different outlook on my life. We don't need so much to be happy. Having people who care about you, laughing, playing, learning are the things that bring the most happiness in life. It is difficult to keep this in perspective while living in a world that revolves around material things. Since returning to Kansas City after my time in Nicaragua, I have been trying to remember those things on a daily basis. I keep some of the artwork the children made me on my desk and in my house as a reminder of my experience. I think about the children on a daily basis. It has kept me motivated to continue to do my job for HALO. I continue to try to find new ways to raise awareness and funds for the children there and at the other orphanages HALO helps to support. I wish I could share my experience with everyone I meet. It's difficult to explain, but I hope sharing my stories, pictures, and experiences about my time in Nicaragua will encourage others to view their own lives a little differently.
-Lacy