Photos From the Fair

Before the much anticipated photos of hte product fair two things. First off, I successfully checked off the last requirement of training today, passing the language test. I'm officially swearing in at Intermediate Mid, or just high enough to not stay an extra couple of weeks. If you ask me, they fudged the results so I wouldn't stay in training a week longer, but I'm not going to fight it too much. Although, a week of one on one language training would've been nice. Second, my shockproof camera broke when it fell on a rock this weekend. Won't have many pictures for a while, so enjoy those below. And next time I post, I'll be a bonefied volunteer!


AG La Paz - Pineapple Jelly

   

AG Santa Teresa - Rosqueria



SB Masatep II - Rapido Helado

 

Best Packaging: AG El Rosario - Shampu

 

Best Commercialization: AG La Palmera - Coco Choco Banana



AG La Colonia - Garden Jelly

  

SB San Juan de Oriente - Ceramic Whistle

 

SB Masatep I - Mango Salsa

4th Place: SB Niquinohomo - Mecate Bag




Third Place: AG Guisquiliapa - Pimple Soap



Second Place: SB Nandasmo and Nandaluz

First Place: AG El Recreo - Pan de Banana

"He's got options. He got prospects. He's Bonefied!"

-Oh Brother Where Art Thou

La Feria de Productos

Friday was the big day, and right off the bat, we hit a bump in the road. Our president and primary presenter, showed up at the meeting place in Niquinohomo to tell us she couldn't come. The day before the date of a school competition got switched to Friday, and she had to bail. It wasn't the best news to hear last minute. But after the initial shock, the group managed to rally, quickly trained a replacement, and continued to the venue in Ticuantepe as confident as ever. To me, they resembled the frat from Old School walking into their final examination, dressed to the T and walking in a horizontal line to flaunt their numbers. If I had been in another group, I would have been intimidated, as we easily had the largest group there.

I half expected our kids to freeze up when they saw the products and commercialization of the rest of the competition, but they continued to carry on as if it didn't phase them, and crack jokes. When it was their turn to present in front of the panel of judges, their presentation surpassed our expectations, and we left the stage more confident than before. Our strategy from the beginning was to let the kids explain their product and the group, and for that Ron said one or two words to introduce the group, and they tooki it from their. As we found out, we were the only group to really do that.

So when all presentations were over, and it was time to announce the winners, I admit, I had butterflies in my stomach. There's a big rivalry between the agricultural aspirantes and the small biz aspirantes, and there is a lot of pressure for small biz to win since it is a business competition. And of course there is a rivalry between training towns, and we had been dishing out a lot trash talk. As I said we had high expectations, and so did the kids. So when it was announced that we got fourth place, our group just went silent. Although never said aloud, everyone figured we'd be in the top two. It was an awkward reaction, because we didn't celebrate our "success" at all despite the MC's enthusiasm. It's worth noting that we missed the top three by .25 points, and first by 8 points. So at least it was close.

I'd be more ok with the results if I didn't know the back stories behing the top 2 finishers. Second place - a business group - more or less did all the leg work for their group over the ten weeks, if you can call a handful of 23 year olds a youth group. First place - an aggie group - from what I've been told gave the recipe to the kids (from a Peace Corps cook book) for their winning Banana Bread, and had scrambled last minute to put something together. That Banana Bread was damm good though.

Call me a bad loser if you want. But the youth in our youth group made every decision, every step of the way, and put together their own presentations.  What I took from the competition is that its not so much about the process, but all about the bells and whistles, or how much you can pull the wool over the eyes of judges to appear like you've got it together. So if you hadn't noticed by this point, I wasn't happy with the results, but ulitmately the kids were, and that's what's most important. I had a bunch of pictures to include, but for some reason I'm unable to upload them. I'll try again tomorrow.

This week also may be my last week of training. I potentially leave my home in Niquinohomo for the last time Thursday morning, and will be in and out of Managua all week. Thursday we get to tour the embassy and meet the ambassador, and Friday, pending any disaster, I become a full fledged Volunteer. Has close to three months passed already? Oh and I got a cell phone recently that has pretty good coverage no matter where I am, and if you call me I don't get charged a cent. So if you're interested in getting digits, let me know. Either that or send me your skype name and we can set something up.

Getting Serious, But Having Fun Doing it

T-minus two days until the big day, the Product Fair for our Grupo de Jovenes. Although I’ve neglected to write about it, Jovenes Emprendedores as they are calling themselves are trucking along at top speed, and we believe we may just be the team to beat. At least, we have the arrogance and confidence to think that, and by we, I mean the aspirantes from Niquinohomo.



Public vs Private

For the past couple of weeks, our kids have really transformed their initial prototype into a developed, final product. It’s been a really cool process to watch, as many transformations have occurred within the group. First off, the group consists of about 14 kids right now, from both a private and public school. Initially, these two groups didn’t mix. They would sit at opposite sides of the table, not talk to each other, and when it came to group votes, each group typically voted internally. We were a little worried that the bigger group of public school kids would drive away the smaller, but equally important group of private

school kids. Seems like public and private school kids are always rivals, no

matter where you are. But as the project

 and our product progressed, the group

transformed from two bodies, to one,

 unified group, and we even now see the

 kids hanging out together outside of

class. What has also been fascinating to

watch has been the role of the youth

with the product. The aspirantes started

 essentially, as teachers, but have really

kind of pulled away from the group,

putting it in the hands of the kids. We

step in when we have to, but these kids have spread their wings and gone out on their own. They were the ones who put together a market study, and went all over town getting people to fill it out. By the end of an hour, they had thirty done! And it didn’t stop there, they met together the next day to analyze the results on how to make the bag better. I guess I forgot to mention that the product is a bag made from mecate, a type of durable rope/string made from recycled plastic. It’s really something, and I’ll make sure to post pictures on Friday. What I can show you is essentially the production line we set up to start producing the bags, or as we jokingly referred to it as the zona franco. We sat these kids down, and they had a blast working together and seeing visible progress in their idea. And if there is gaseosa y galletas to be had (soda and cookies), the kids always have a smile on their face!



phase one



the production line



Victor winding up the mecate

So on Friday we head to Ticuantepe, 14 strong, to compete against the youth groups of 11 other training towns of small business and agriculture. The only thing we’re a little worried about, is that the competition seems to be formatted for the groups that have little to no success, so that they can compete. In terms of judging, there is more emphasis placed on packaging and labeling, as well as the positive life lessons they’ve learned during the process, more so than the product, and the tangible success they’ve had. And apparently since small business has won each competition in past years, judges are biased towards the Aggies. But that’s the Peace Corps way, everything has to be fair and feel good. Feelings trump fact. Because as we’ve found out, most other groups are struggling to maintain a product or keep their groups afloat, and our group seems to be a true success story. Despite everything we’re rolling in deep, with a solid product, and confidence and more than anything we’re gonna have fun with the whole thing! I’d say wish us luck, but luck is for the unprepared.

"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to

excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort."

The last couple of weeks

These last couple of weeks have been flying by, and the end of training has really snuck up on me. Our big 3 month long youth group project is due this Friday, and swearing in is only a week after that! So what we as a group of aspirantes has decided, has been to take advantage of our last couple of weeks together, before we get scattered to the four corners of Nicaragua. Not that it takes too long to visit anyone, but the times when we will all be together as a group will be few and far in between. What has helped has been a series of people birthdays, which has just been an excuse to get together and enjoy each others company. We can explore the sites of Nica over our two years here, but we only have so much time together now, so we're taking advantage of it. A quincenera here, a trip to San Marcos there, a hike down to the Laguna, and lots of Tona's have made these past weeks a blast.

It's funny I was thinking about all of my friends and family in the states last night, and got really sentimental. I was looking through the photos I brought, and listening to music from home, and just thinking about where I am now. But I wasn't sentimental in a bad way. Quite the opposite, it was in a really happy way. It's tough to explain, but I was just really happy about all the great relationships I've made over the years, and where I am today. I'm loving Nicaragua, and I know it willy be a long time, but I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again.

 I also realized that I've neglected to show you all photos of the town, so here you go. I meant to do this awhile ago, and it just completely slipped my mind.

Inside the Church

Niquinohomo, the birthplace of the great Sandino, General of the Nica Revolution in the 1920s. This statue is absolutely huge, a good 50 feet

The outside of the church

The Calle Principal, and it doesn't get much busier than this picture. Our go-to Restaurant as well

The Park. Great for kids during the day, but apparently very dangerous at Night!

Not all those who wander are lost...

...but if you're wandering in Nicaragua, and you can't speak Spanish, then you are lost. And you want to know why? Becausethe concept of an address is completely different, and in my opinion somewhat insane. When we define an address back home based on a number and a street name. Based on that definition,  not a single address exists in Nicaragua. And outside of the major highways, I have yet to see a street name.

In place of a number and street name, I guess is relativity. Your address is based on the nearest identifiable landmark. For example, at my house in Niquinohomo, the address is "from the Cementary, 1 block east". And thats it. If the cementary only stretched out a block, maybe we'd have something, but instead it stretches out over five blocks, and in reality, isn't even a full block away. So you're forced to go from door to door asking where the person lives. It's makes for some interesting conversation, especially at night when some gringo (me) is shouting through your door, "Do you know where so and so lives". And in some cases, home owners use little know landmarks, or landmarks that don't exist anymore. My favorite being in Managua, 3 blocks south of where the Coca Cola Factory used to be. How am I supposed to know that, or for that matter, which way is south in a strange location?

I've heard of one example of a man in Boaco experimenting with an addres. He recently put the number 335 on his house, to make it stand out from his neighbors, and thus created the social experiment: Will others follow suit? Only time will tell.

Villa La Vida Loca

I have officially spent and survived my first week in site, in my new home in fact, in Villa El Carmen. That feels wierd to say, my new home. It makes it sound much more permanent. This past week was hectic and action packed, but it sort of felt like a vacation because it was a break from training. The Peace Corps decided to take the handcuffs off the handcuffs for the first time since training, and let us roam free in our new sites and new communities. Training by the way is very structured and we're very limited in what we can and can't do. But that's the life of the lowest level of government employee. So when I do return to site in three weeks after swearing in, I return to my permanent home, and I really haven't had a permanent home in five years or so, between school, the vineyard, my brief stint in Frisco, and my time spent in Niquinohomo. I'm looking forward to a room I can call my own, and I'm stoked to return and start working.

The long, lonely road to one of my schools, which is located a couple clicks off this highway on a dirt road

Now this entire week I was supposed to be introduced to all of my schools by a Tecnico provided by the Ministry of Education (MinEd), but when I showed up at MinEd on Tuesday morning, they weren't expecting me and were too busy with mid year evaluations of all the schools in the municipality. Which meant I was on my own to visit and introduce myself to all 7 of my schools, and 5 of the 7 are in particularly rural areas in the municipality, and not too easy to find. Finding the schools proved to be easy. It was the introductions that proved to be interesting, because essentially I was showing up unexpected to each of these schools. Monday I had made a schedule with my counterparts, but as it turns out, they were so anxious to leave our day long charlas in Managua, that they didn't put to much effort or thought into the schedule, and either a) no one knew I was coming or b) the times I was suppose to be there didn't coincide with school or teacher hours. Super frustrating, but it's part of life down here, and I have to get used to being patient. However, at each school I just "popped" into, I got very warm welcomes, and to my surprise my Spanish is good enough to get by in these impromptu situations. So I got that going for me, which is nice.

Casey and Nicole, in front of their banner in the Villa

At the schools that have been working with the Peace Corps, I had the help from the current volunteers in Villa El Carmen, who I'm replacing. Casey and Nicole (a married couple) are leaving a week from Wednesday, and they couldn't have been more helpful with me in their advice and wisdom. They turned their farewell parties at their schools into an opportunity to introduce me to the community, and were just all around All Stars. I owe them a lot, and wish nothing but the best for them on their return to the states. Banners were put up in the town saying how much they'll be missed and one couple is going to name their new born child after them, depending on the sex. So I have some big shoes to fill, and two pairs. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

I also have the opportunity to work with the "Fab" Fab, Fabio Zamora. Fabio is a direct product of the enprendedurismo class, and just recieved a $7000 grant from USAID to build a local and start production. So I will be working with him from the ground up on the development of this business Naranja Agria. There are many orange farms in the local area, and Fabio had the bright idea to create an orange extract for cooking, that apparently is absolutely delicious. And all of you must buy a batch once production is done. Fabio, by the way, is 17 years old, and just started at the University to become a lawyer. The kids driven, and I look forward working with him. I could care less about working with NGO's, it was working with local entrepreneurs, and thats what I got. It's gonna be an exciting couple of months working with Fabio, although I really need to brush up on my business vocab; I struggled getting my point across on the more technical stuff.
The town itself is much smaller than I expected, My site packet says 6800 in the town center, but I find that a little tough to believe. It's essentially a one street town, with a couple of pulperias, one "restaurant", one bar, and an Ice Cream Shop. And I live in the Ice Cream shop, which is in the center of town, which is owned by my new host family. I realized this week that I will miss Dona Ivone and my family in Niquinohomo, but I'm getting a pretty good deal in Villa El Carmen, a good substitute. I have a 27 year old sister, who wants to teach me how to dance salsa (watch out ladies), and a 23 year old brother who I share a side of the house with. It seems like a pretty good dynamic in the house, and I'm excited about the things to come. They tell me that the town is super safe, and that I never have to worry about personal safety. And normally it's a real quite town, but I caught the start of their Festival Patronales, which is a big deal in every Nica town, and it's an excuse to party hard for three weeks, so I'm just missing it. Bullfights, Marching Bands, Rodeos, and lots of Rum. Everything you need for a good weekend. Here's the opening ceremonty the Tope de Toros, which passed right through the center of town. It consisted of about 50 cowboys herding 7 or 8 big bulls through town to the bull ring, and these two guys dancing in front. And the tall women costume really weirded me out.

 Some of my pc friends are in bigger sites and large cities, but I'm loving the small town feel. If I wanted to volunteer in a big city in Nicaragua, I would have stayed in the United States; you feel like you've never left. And if the small town ever gets to small for me and I feel the need to escape, the beach is 30 minutes away, with some excellent swell. At first chance I'm buying a board, and start ripping. Here are some pictures of da beach at Masachapa, but for those who want to hear more about my adventure, you'll have to email me at sam.shepard12@gmail.com Some things aren't meant for all ears.

Looking back at the week, it feels as though the site chose me. It seems like a perfect fit, and I'm excited to get back. I will definitely miss the proximity of all my friends, but this is what I've been wanting to do for years now. And now that its so close to being a reality, I'm chomping at the bit to get started. But until then, it's time to take advantage of my last three weeks of training and have some fun spending my time exploring the area with my new close friends. Should be a wild last three weeks!

Fisherman at Masachap, and the market in the background

Untouched Beach

Shred City, shoulder to overhead

Happy Birhday America

For the first time in 15 years, I won't be celebrating the Fourth of July up on the Vineyard, or even in America. Try as we might, it's just not the same celebrating without a big barbeque, watermelon, plenty of ice cold American beers, and fireworks. So we had to settle for a relaxing afternoon in San Marcos, eating the most American food we could find, and shameless speaking way too much English. All in All it was fun. 

We're not able to celebrate today, because I'm meeting my counterparts for the next two years today, and early manana I'm off to visit my future home for the next two years, Villa El Carmen. Villa La Vida Loca Baby! (A Frankie Hazera Original Quote) So in a different way, I'm super stoked for today. Hopefully some of you will be able to come visit what will be my home for the next two years if you get a chance.

So to everyone: my New Canaan friends celebrating at Waveny, my Richmond friends up at Purdy's Lake House (or where ever you are), and the whole gang celebrating up on the Chop, Have a wonderful (drunken) Fourth of July,  I wish I could be there with all of. Happy Birthday America


"Live in the moment, it's the only thing you've got" - Terry Riley