Bluefields Visit

Thursday the fifth of November started early for another trip to visit our partners in Bluefields Nicaragua. (If you’re curious about the name “Bluefields,” it comes from the history of pirates along the coast long ago; “Bluefields” was the English translation of the Dutch pirate Abraham Blauveldt.) Andrew Claassen, the MCC program assistant and Connecting Peoples coordinator and I went to visit our partner, Acción Médica Cristiana who has a project in Bluefields. 

 

 Flying over the country gave me an eagle’s view of the country we live in.  Lakes, mountains, fields, volcanos and old craters, rivers, and lots of green coastal area.  We landed in on the bumpy worn runway, taxied to the side and walked out over a bridge across a gully, and up into the tiny airport.  There we were met by Saul, one of Acción Médica Cristiana’s (AMC) staff.  He took us to the hotel to drop our bags and we headed for the office.  

Bluefields is a small city with little winding roads and sneak peaks out to the ocean.  We arrived on a damp morning which added to the tropical feel of the place.  On the streets many were speaking English Creole along with Spanish.  My ears perked up to be hearing so many familiar words.  The languages are fairly different in sound so it was fascinating hearing people jump from one to the other.

We were warmly welcomed at the office by Ms. Jeannette and Ms. Jenny.  They fed us a hot breakfast and we jumped into our full agenda.  In the morning we discussed the project overview and some context of Bluefields.  We were then joined by the youth that are the Comunicadores de la Paz (peace communicators.)  They were a vibrant and enthusiastic bunch from 15-21 years old.  They have created radio and TV clips on signs of violence in relationships and combating HIV stigma as well as work to support peacemakers in school to offer peer lead conflict resolution.

After lunch I was pleased to learn we would experience one of the region’s primary sources of transportation.  We took a taxi down to the bay and found a panga (motor boat-taxi).  We took a 15 minute ride out to El Bluff where AMC works with a school offering teachers and students workshops and support around HIV prevention and “Culture of Peace.”  We were greeted warmly by a large group of teachers and a few students who spent the next couple hours talking about how the program had helped them as a school and as individuals.  We then hopped back on a panga, took it around to a narrow peninsula where we could look at the Caribbean and put our feet in the sand.  I collected a couple shells for the kids and we headed back to the AMC office.

Miss Jenny and I

Our last stop of the day was to a support group living with HIV.  The group gathered was about 15 of a total 36 who meet regularly.  Some shared their stories.  They represented many age groups and walks of life.  Their testimonies were powerful and the support and hope they received from the group when they first found out and their positive outlooks now was touching.  In the end they presented us with small copies of their banner to hang in our homes and in the office.  It was a holy circle.

They day was exhausting but rich.  I went to bed early and slept hard.  

Friday the sixth of November was as booked or even more so than Thursday.  We ate a quick breakfast at the office and headed out to another school.  We met the pacificadores (peacemakers) who are tasked with addressing peer conflicts.  They shared a bit with us and we hurried back to the office to visit with the Ministry of Education who has invited AMC to work within the public schools.  After that we headed to a school for children with special needs where MCC canned meat is used to supplement the food provided by the government.  Again we heard testimonies about how the meat has improved the nutrition of the children and were invited to taste a couple of recipes made from the meat.  Mothers prepare the meat in many ways and then bring it to the school for the children.  They had made us a welcome poster as well!

After that we headed back to meet a group of parents that meets to discuss HIV prevention and violence prevention. They also made us a welcome sign.

Our last stop was to the AMC office where we met a number of the school directors of the 17 schools where the program is active.  We heard more testimonies and per Andrew’s request we had Rondon, a typical stew made with coconut milk, meat, yucca, and plantains.  We wrapped up with Miss Jenny and Miss Jeannette, our gracious hosts, and headed to the airport.

There is not replacement for visiting a place, experiencing a little food and culture, shaking hands and sharing hugs.  I feel blessed to be a link in this chain.

   -R