Hey, This is one of the latest project... and final project that the Rotaract Club completed this year. As my time here grow short. I grow more and more nostalgic. I will see you all inless than a week.Until then....




http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2007/enero/12/suplementos/aquientrenos/pasa/pasa-20070111-3.shtml 

Memories of Nicaragua - A Rotary Ambasadorial experience

 

Photos - Breakfast for a King

 

Breakfast for a King- HOPE

Today was a cool day. The church had planned that today there would be "Breakfast for a King". This activity is supported by HOPE. HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. To find out more about HOPE worldwide follow this link : http://www.ne.hopeworldwide.org/index.htm

I spent the night at my friend Arleen's house so that we would not arrive late. The meeting point was the gas station in front of the park where the homeless children sleep. Who have to get there when they are just waking up because otherwise they scatter and are impossible to find. We woke up around 5 am and started cooking. We carried buttered toast, eggs, bacon, and pinolio ( a rich corn and chocolate drink).

We arrived a little late but and found out that another organization had moved the children to another area. However word of mouth gets around fast. Soon there were homeless people of all ages lining up for this breakfast. It is called breakfast for a king because the idea is to provide a breakfast that is special.
There were Nacatamales ( a breakfast delicacy that consists of pork with rice enveloped in a cornmeal dough, and cooked in skin of banana leaves), eggs, breakfast sandwiches, milk, cacao ( like chocolate milk), gallo pinto (rice and beans), cheese, cream ( which is actually eaten with the rice and beans) and all types of fresh fruit juices. It was a spread.

All in all it was a great morning although it was overcast and drizzling. I was most happy that there was more food than people. Everyone left full.

In the News again

So this is the full page spread that came out in the local newspaper. It just documents the universities role in helping the horses in the country. I am in the top left. Don't know why I am making that face or what I was saying but there I am.
To read the whole spread follow the link.








http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2006/septiembre/24/noticias/nacionales/145736.shtml

In the News!

Just give an idea of what is going on the link that follows is to the newspaper atricle that came out today. For all that can read the article in Spanish. For those that cant a brief summary.

The Rotaract Clubs in Nicaragua just finished their first country wide project. All the clubs from Managua, Masaya, Granada, Chinandega, Leon and Carazo participated to collect clothes, Medicine, and Books. The supplies are destined for Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica along the Atlantic Coast. Thesuppliess will be distributed by the Rotaract Clubs in Costa Rica.

It was a hot and long day but ultimately very rewarding!


http://www-ni.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2006/septiembre/11/noticias/nacionales/143010.shtml

WSPA and UCC work horse extension

Ok so I did not show up in any of the pictures but this article explains a lot of the work that I help to do at the university.

The article basically explains about the university and its work in the community. How we go to various neighborhoods and provide free services for the work horses.

altogether there are many days similar to this because this service is on a rotating schedule every 2 weeks to different neighborhoods, this day memorable for me because I had an accident and got splashed with Cascosan. The Cascosan splashed into my face and eyes as I was helping a student. To put it plainly it burns and I know what and eyes for 15 minutes with Saline feels like.

Considering that I am typing this message on my computer, my eyes still work. Mom you can stop worrying now :) .

http://nacion.com/proa/2006/septiembre/03/reportajes810799.html

Update Letter to Sponsor Counselor

Initially the following letter was private but after rereading it I thought it was such a good synopses of what was actually happening I decided to post it.

Enjoy

Dr Smallwood,
Just thought to send you a letter that is a little bit more personal than the Blog. Just wanted to tell you that I am doing well here in Nicaragua. The project has ended up changing quite a bit. Due to lack of a market for their product the Organic industry is drying up here. What some estimated conservatively as 100 farms in now down to about 10... I am talking with Dr Correa and Levy and they are helping me salvage what I can as far as having some publication from this.

As Far as things Rotary go... I am going to make my first official presentation to the Rotarians of Managua. I had a very hard time finding them and after that getting in contact with them. I hope to post pictures on the blog and let everyone know how it goes. Aside from this I have been working with Rotaract to do various service projects and fundraiser for the club. They are an entertaining bunch ! We are currently trying to develop a project that will be a banner project for the year.

So far the idea for the project is to find a school in one of the poorest areas in Managua and adopt it. We need to find funding to give the students breakfast and lunch for a 1 year and have Rotarians that are doctors volunteer their time once every 3-6 months to provide medical attention. There is also an educational component as far as health and hygiene are concerned. What we will do ourselves aside from raising money is clean, paint, possible make a playing field, ect. The idea is that this will be a pilot program will let us know how this program can be extended to other schools. So far this idea is in the developmental stages. There are 3 groups of Rotaractians who are developing their individual ideas in order to present them to the District Rotarians. From there we will decide to choose one as a pilot program. I would really appreciate your input on this idea.

I "googled" myself and found this site. It is a nice link to some cultural things that were captured in the News

http://www.uruguayinforme.com/news/14042006/14042006_rimbaud_fiesta.htm

Also I may be included in the upcoming magazine for WSPA ( The world society for the protection of animals). The university has funding from them. They were in Nicaragua doing an inspection because the projects that happen here are the most successful programs they have in the world. I usually go with the university faculty and students and offer my veterinary services to attend animals free of charge. In addition to that this weekend is a spay and neuter day and kind of open house for the university.

Just thought you would like to know. Also I am back filling my blog to catch up on some of the things I left out.. So if you go back to June you will find a lot of new posts.

Keep in touch.


Nneka M. George, DVM

The following photos are of the traspaso of Club Rotaract Managua - Tiscapa. It is literally just the changing of the leadership of the club. As I get to know the members more I am building friendships and realizing that the projects we develop to serve the community here are really just a reflection of the people in the group and our individual passions and abilities. I think this year will be very productive.

Traspaso Managua- Tiscapa

 

Pictures from Costa Rica

Waterfall and wading pool near Volcano Arenal
Quepos Bay near Manuel Antonio
My Last Day with the whole crew.
Volcano Arenal on a rare partly cloudy moment. The only day we almost saw the top. It was covered again 15 minutes after this photo.

 

Why do I always feel as if I am catching up??

As usual it has been too long since I have posted an entry but I have come to terms with the fact that I am not a journalist. :) I know my profession and journalism is not it.

To that end I will try to do some catching up. Since the last post I went to Costa Rica with friends from the States. It was so good to see them all and get to explore a little bit more of Central America. A side note that most Americans may not know is there is a kind of rivalry and feud between the countries of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The rift goes back a long time in history with varies reason ( ownership of Rio San Juan, a war where something was burned and someone took something, and the economic/ political / social differences between the countries). Regardless the countries in land mass are very similar. Check out the picks.

Traspaso de Rotaract Masaya

All of the following pictures are from the Traspaso de Masaya Roatract club. I have recently been involved with the Rotaractors of Managua- Tiscapa. They are a group of about 20 Nicaraguans from 18 to 30 years old who are dedicated to building friendship, leadearship, and strengthening their community. This Traspaso (which means transfer) is a way to strengthen friendships across different Rotaract Clubs.

The passing of the torch.  

Group Photo of Rotaract Masaya.  

Outgoing Rotaract Masaya President giving his speach. 

Everyone together now. Say "Whisky"! 

Rotaractors and Me.  

Parasitology Course with Mike Levy

So I was really happy and greatful to have my parasitology professor from NCSU come to Nicaragua just to help with some of the fundamentals of my project. Dr. Mike Levy you are the greatest for enduring the Nicarauguan heat and various adventures that we had along the way. I will always be greatful. The parisitology course review was great and I feel as if we made some great progress along the way.