My Nicaragua Journey

As I boarded the flight to head to Central America, I had a sense of unease in my mind. I had never flown such a long distance without my parents. However, these feelings vanished the moment we touched down in Managua, Nicaragua. I began the week with an attitude of determination. I was sure that I was there for a reason and I was going to change someone’s life. Nevertheless, it was me who benefitted from the trip, and I escaped the week with reinvigorated life lessons, adjusted perspectives on life, and a widened social circle.
Throughout my journey to Nicaragua, I acquired a plethora of valuable information about life that I will never let escape my mind. As citizens of a developed country, we often make ourselves oblivious to the conditions of less developed nations. Many times, we take things for granted and do not appreciate the simplicities of life. As I watched a young girl proudly show me her messy, mud-floored house, I realized that I should be thankful for everything I have and never allow my greed to get in the way of my humility. The people of Nicaragua were so grateful
I found that an innocent young child can show me more than a wise elder. As I looked into the large, hazel eyes of a beautiful three-year-old girl named Juswali, I was saddened by the way she viewed herself. I explained to her how pretty she was and in response she said, “No, fea.” Which translates to, “No, ugly.” in English. I learned that many of the children in Nicaragua are neglected and verbally or physically abused by their parents. Witnessing the inconsideration of the parents of the dependent's first hand really opened my eyes to the struggle that the toddlers undergo every day. I will always keep in mind how blessed I am to have loving parents who care about me. After all, many of the people in Nicaragua have never been nurtured like most higher class