Nicaragua: First Distribution -- El Sauce

Managua, Nicaragua

From Nicaragua 2011

Led by Judy Dryden, the day started early. All of us were ready and “chomping at the bit” at 6:45 am. We were minus one of our team, Bev, due to an unfriendly stomach, but nonetheless, Freddy (our driver) had us rolling down the road enroute to our first distribution in a small town called El Sauce (later known as “hot” Sauce to some of us). After about 3.5 hours and a few slowdowns for cattle crossings, we arrived.

What an unbelievable sight – the road was jammed with children, parents, grandparents and all manner of transportation, but mostly horses.

From Nicaragua 2011

The school where we were doing the distribution welcomed “the Canadians” with a big sign. In the school yard were over 500 children with their teachers; and outside the fence were all the parents and other observers, curious as to what was going to happen when the Canadians arrived. We were welcome by Roger the community leader, and also a pastor, with a very nice speech. The kids sang their national anthem and we sang ours.

Then the real work began. Our sponsors, the Rotary Club of Managua were fantastic. Maria and Rodrigo coordinated everything with the large group (24) of local volunteers. With badges on, they did most of the leg work throughout the day.

From Nicaragua 2011

Judy, after directing the set- ‐up, started things moving. She thought of herself as the “gringa loca” when she was trying to get the kids to smile for their picture.

The day was overcast, but didn’t rain until later in the afternoon, Maria worried that too much rain would affect our return trip -- thankfully it didn’t.

Greg was impressed with the departure proceedings. One large group of kids left on a truck loaded high with bedkits. Horses left loaded up too – one with a grandmother, bedkits stacked in front of her and two kids holding on behind. Mostly it all worked. Jean found a label with her donation on it. Freddy, our rotund driver missed his lunch but enjoyed a great soup (sopa de Albondiga) made for us by the local volunteers when we were finished our work.

From Nicaragua 2011

The volunteers did an impressive amount, not only the food, but providing security for the storage area over the two days preceding the distribution.

On our return trip, we saw many of the families returning home flashing smiles at us as we passed by in the van, holding on to their bedkits. It didn’t seem to matter to them that it was raining ...

Mike Garrett
reporting after his very first distribution day
for Team Nicaragua, 2011

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