After learning more about the infrastructure of El Menco, and its sub-communities, I’m headed to the capitol city of Managua, to meet with ANF’s project staff. I’ve asked for their help in preparing a presentation to the community about the United Nation’s Millennium Villages. We’ve also decided to formally contact the UN and ask for some support. We’re hoping that they might have a video about the Millennium Village Project in Spanish. I’m

also hoping to seek out a good bookstore and try to find some books on Popular Education in Spanish. We’ll see what turns up. I didn’t realize that the staff at ANF are just learning about Millennium Villages as well. I’m also realizing that they are great a responding to poverty with projects, but they don’t engage in education. This whole project is a new adventure for them, as well as me. Hopefully our time in Managua will be productive, and we’ll all learn a lot and develop a good workshop for the leaders in this community.

On another note, Kai attended his second day of pre-school today. He only attends for about 2 hours a day, and is learning about primary and secondary colors. The kids are ecstatic about their new school supplies (thanks to all those in Ashland and my folks who contributed). The preschool kids were painting with their new paint sets, and the teacher was making shapes for them to paint with her new rulers. The only things she had before were some crayons, paper, and a little clay. They honestly have so little. Next week they start letters. Kai enjoys his time in class, but can’t wait until recess (understandable). Later today, one of the leaders here, Warren showed us the other side of the community via horse. Kai and I left on a 3 hour adventure with this 19 year old who already carries a lot of responsibility. It turns out that the other side of the community is very isolated- about 6km from our area. There is no electricity there, and in many places no roads. People use boats on the lake, motorcycles, bikes, horses, or walk. The houses are all made of boards and metal nailed together. I imagine it looks much like our area did before all of the houses were updated by ANF. It’s beautiful there, in El Cerrito, close to a forest reserve. Most people make their living fishing, picking watermelon, or working on small papaya farms. We returned in time to watch the sunset and enjoy the breeze off the lake, and I feel better having more of an understanding of the community, and the distance and differences between sections.