It started with the ritual purple sheet announcements at St. Going to school in the morning was aggravating as usual with the minimal amount to rest I had. Words caught my attention as my first period teacher read out the new announcements. "Those interested in a Social Justice Project to Nicaragua, there will be a brief meeting on Monday, September 15th at 2:30 in the library". I showed up on Monday, September 15th to a room filled with faces I recognized and very few I did not. A young representative from a small Canadian house in Nicaragua gave a brief power point presentation, and by the end fifty percent of the students that once filled the room had determined that they were not interested on what was to be a life altering experience.
The very few students that remained interested in the Nicaragua experience happened to be the unfamiliar faces that took up a small population in the seminar room. Meetings continued weekly and details were given on what type of activities the Nicaraguan team would take part in. I have to admit, at the beginning I did not believe this actual awareness project would play through, but as meetings gradually passed it became more a reality than a good idea gone to waste. The meetings were not all talk; there were application procedures, retreats and important time commitments, fundraisers, Spanish lessons and history lessons. It was made clear that this life altering experience was not vacation but an educational opportunity. .
Months passed as the Nicaraguan team consisting of four teachers and eight students grew closer and shared feelings, thoughts and excitement toward this excursion we had not yet experienced. There were moments of fatigue when fundraising became overwhelming and meetings seemed to be running for longer periods of time. I have to confess it was a lot of work and very strenuous, but in the end it was worth it. .
As January arrived, dates, times and flights were finalized and packing lists were written and distributed.