Two weeks ago, I flew over to Central America for a volunteering project. It is organised by Global Health Brigades and its goal is to build a sanitary station for a family in the El Naranjo community. I signed up for this project a few months ago without even knowing that Nicaragua existed, aiming to fill my summer with something with purpose. Before this project, I raised around a 1000 pounds with help from my friends, family and the university. It is not an easy task, but it was worth it, as I paid only 200 pounds before the flight, which is an easier amount for me as a student.
It was a hectic day before the trip. I was suppose to store my entire life in four boxes before I board the flight as my accommodation contract ends before I return. By the time I shipped all my belongings, I crashed on my empty bed and fell asleep without any bed sheets and pillows. The next morning, I woke up at 5 and travelled to Manchester Airport with Sheran. There we met half of our volunteering group. Our flights to Nicaragua was a long and tiring journey. First it was a flight from Manchester to Paris, then to Panama where we joined the whole group and finally Managua, Nicaragua.
By the time we reached Managua Airport, everyone is dehydrated and exhausted. The strict immigration procedures added much frustration to us. Our body temperature were scanned before entering the long immigration queue. Our team leader, James almost went crazy when the immigration officer demanded to know our exact address of stay in the country. Luckily one of the officers had more sense to know that we are from a volunteering organisation and told the other officers to let us through.
“Welcome to immigration!” James announced with relief and weariness after all of us passed through. We then saw Jairo and Alba waving the Global Brigades sign from a distance, they are going to be our translator for the week.
Jairo came forward and gave us a warm welcome. It turned out that we will not be travelling to Esteli that night! Instead we are resting in a nice cosy hotel and will start work the day after tomorrow. It was a very pleasant surprise.
I sensed the change in weather immediately as I stepped out of the airport. The air was so humid and heavy, accompanied with the familiar tropical smell. Exactly how my home country, Malaysia is like. After 9 months of leaving my country, my body has adapted itself to the cold weather in UK. I started to feel all sticky and uncomfortable and began to miss the dry and cool weather of the north. Sheran said it will be a good training for me before I head back to Malaysia over the summer.
After handing over our bags to the Global Brigades truck, Jairo hired a huge yellow school bus for us to travel to Hotel Mozonte. I am tired and excited at the same time, waiting to see what this country had to offer. I did not know anything about the history or culture of this small country in Central America apart from some research I did before coming. I found out that Spanish is the main or mostly the only language spoken here and they have strong American and Spanish influences in their daily lives.
That night, I shared a room with a girl named Sophie, she turn out to be really outgoing and friendly. I crashed on the bed once again, smiling in my sleep knowing that I am on the other side of the world.
———————————————————————————–
Sorry for not posting any articles for such a long time! I promise I will write as much as possible of my experience in Central America. Hope you guys enjoy the first part of my volunteering experience.
Shu Wei
derpypercy 