From Program Director Neal Daniels
Summer 08’has brought a number of challenges, unpredictable weather, and some wonderful progress in the world of Manna. The Literacy Library program has taking on a major change in location and available resources. The location for library time is now in the new and improved library on the grounds of the August family. Each Friday a couple of Program Directors spend an hour and a half with the children from Cedro Galan. A majority of the time is spent reading books from the brand new selection of books. The last part of library is designated for games, puzzles, etc. Some of the kids even work on homework or book reports that are given out in one of our Literacy groups. I haven’t gotten to the best part about the new location of Literacy Library. We have been blessed with the wonderful invention and awesomeness of air conditioning. Also, the children get out of Cedro Galan for a while during their week, and we all know how nice it can be to take a field trip to “The Land” (August’s land). Most importantly the kids have a whole new selection of books to choose from.
Pen Pal letters have been introduced to our Literacy groups throughout the month of June in Cedro Galan. The ability to receive and send letters and photos electronically will speed up the process of the kids reading and writing letters to their new friends in a foreign country. A former Manna Project summer volunteer is teaching a Spanish class in Louisiana and contacted us in Managua about the possibility of starting a pen pal system. We of course accepted and took the necessary steps to get this process under way. I personally asked for control of this activity, because I had contacted possible teachers in the United States in prior months but decided to hold out. After responding to the letters the kids draw pictures and leave room for a photo to personalize the pen pal notes.
Outside help from volunteers has proven to be beneficial to the development of the Manna Project Programs. Welcoming newcomers is the start of a new chapter during a Program Director’s year in Nicaragua. I have found that fresh new ideas make lesson planning much easier and our time together feels much less like work. We are able to expand and give our classes more versatility, while keeping the children engaged. I have also noticed that the kids are completely welcoming to new faces. After months of one teacher, a new and exciting energy is released and teaching becomes fun again. I feel that our programs become much more successful with our wonderful volunteers.
As we prepare for the 2008/09 Program Directors to arrive later this week, we all want to send our love to where ever this updates finds you. Manna Project International-Nicaragua is moving along and learning new ways to better our community.
Random Happenings
- Raquel had her fourth child, it is a girl!
- Eduardo and Elena are getting married July 13th!
- Manna Project is happy to welcome Amira Tahir to the team! She will be taking over for Lori as the Nicaragua Director. Lori will be the International Director between Nicaragua and Ecuador (the new site introduced in 07’).
- Program Directors 07’-08’ had our last Math and Literacy Fiestas with the students on July 2nd.
- The Baseball Team only won a few games this season, though they looked good doing it with brand new Astro Uniforms.
- We had a fourth of July party in Advanced English! Who could eat 2 hot dogs the fastest (Hot Dog eating competition)?
- A few of us attended a fiesta at Elena’s University (Advanced English Elena Martinez), with some community members.
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