Return to Literacy Program
Last month saw the return of a Literacy Program to Farito. Presently there are sixteen students in four reading groups. Most of the PDs are involved with the program in some way, and so far it has been great. There is a lot going on in Farito from 1:30 to 3:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Katie’s group D is reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe together while Luke’s group A is perfecting the alphabet. Then from 2:30 to 3:00 the kids raid the game cabinet and we play Connect 4, Jenga, Legos, cards, etc. We have only had a few weeks worth of classes, but Literacy has already become a favorite program for kids and PDs.
Soccer Tournament at La Chureca
In the last weekend of September Manna sponsored a soccer tournament in La Chureca. The girls and guys teams, which PDs coach and support, participated in the “lightning tournament.” Juntos Contigo, one of our partner organizations in Chureca, organized the teams, schedule and general logistics. Manna provided financial support in the form of Gatorade and snacks for the 100 participants and trophies for the first and second place teams. The tournament was an adventure. On the way to Chureca it was raining very hard, and it would continue to rain through the tournament. The Manna girls’ team, recently named "The Hollister," played two games and lost both. Unfortunately the guys’ team also lost their game (even though The Hollister were cheering them on with much enthusiasm). Despite the late start, rain, and losses, the teams and PDs had a great time.
Dayana Starts at NCA
Dayana Flores started at Nicaraguan Christina Academy in September. Due to the generosity of old PDs Dayana can attend the private school on Careterra Vieja a León. She is enjoying her new school and learning a lot, but she still finds time to assist in the Beginner and Elementary English classes in Farito. We are all very proud of her continuing success.
The Roads
It is mid-October and it hasn’t rained seriously for about a week (hopefully this isn’t a jinx), but September was depressingly wet and dreary for the most part. One of the results of the rain is that the Farito road has gotten really bad. We stopped driving to programs in mid-August and cannot guess when the roads will be navigable again. There may be some good news though. According to Zeke Rochas, a community member involved in many Manna programs, the city of Managua is allocating two million dollars to the repair of the roads at Kms 12 and 13. The planning process is still in its initial phase, so it is hard to say when if ever this project will really happen; but we are keeping our fingers crossed.
At the Manna House
Cola and Sydney still have not caught an iguana from the poolhouse roof. They want one so badly and have put in so much effort that the time has come for us to step in. Armed with slingshots and limes from the tree, iguana hunting has become a new program on sunny weekends. Hopefully soon we will be able to reward the dogs with what they want most in the world.
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