Last weekend our group traveled north to Matagalpa, Esteli and the remote mountain community of El Lagartillo. It was a weekend full of ups and downs, literally and emotionally. Two flat tires, hearing pain-filled stories from the 70’s and 80’s, games along the roadside, a children’s play about sustainable environmental practices, a night-time volleyball game and discoteca were just some of the activities of the weekend.
Though the “a” is missing, Isaiah (and the GC group) is Matagalpa bound.Students learn about medicinal plants on the Vicente Padilla coffee farm.Emily and Molly (and several others) make a new friend on the Vicente Padilla coffee farm.
MATAGALPAREGION
Our first stop in the Matagalpa region (Fri.5/29) was the family organic coffee farm of Vicente Padilla. This was after we made a stop along the road to change a flat tire on our bus. At the farm we learned about their efforts in permacultural farming as well as the intense struggle and persecution they have faced to keep hold of their land. We then made our way into the city of Matagalpa visiting some social workers who work with impoverished children and youth.
Students learn about the natural fertilizer the farm makes to offer rich nutrients for the coffee plants and more.Students learn about the only fresh, clean water source in the area-part of what makes Vicente’s farm so coveted.Social workers speak to our group about their work with impoverished children and youth
ESTELI REGION
On Saturday (5/30), we left Matagalpa and made our way to Esteli where we visited ElMuseo Madres de Heroes y Martires (The Mother’s Museum of Heroes and Martyrs). The director of this museum shared with us difficult stories of mothers losing children in the wars in Nicaragua along with her own personal stories of loss as her then, 14 year-old son, was killed in a gruesome way. Of the 50,000+ Nicaraguans killed during the wars, 5,000 from Esteli were killed.
Maria with the director of the museum/a mother who lost a son, sharing difficult stories with our group.A photograph made famous during the revolution-a symbol of the struggle.Students explore the displays of the museum.
EL LAGARTILLO
Saturday afternoon we traveled up and down, around curves, over bumps and bridges to reach the community of El Lagartillo, once a cooperative of the Sandinista era established in 1982. This tight knit intentional community suffered a devastating attack by the Contras in 1984. They had little warning of the attack but were able to get many members safely to a neighboring community while 14 people stayed to try to defend their land. 6 people of El Lagartillo were killed. Amidst the trauma, many stayed to rebuild their lives and their cooperative way of living. Students stayed in pairs with host families, were treated to a special play presented by the children and youth of the community, participated in a night time volleyball game (Goshen College vs. El Lagartillo) and visited several areas throughout the community that remember those who died. Students also met with leaders to learn how the community functions today some 33 years later. This community teaches Spanish as a second language to people from all over the world who come for immersion Spanish instruction.
Students hear firsthand about the 1984 Contra attack. These community leaders, sibling, survived but lost a brother in the attack. He, a teen at the time, helped lead children to safety. She, a mother of 8, returned to get milk and food for her baby but was trapped and then stayed to help her husband.A play about deforestation and other environmental issues presented by the children and youth of El Lagartillo.Hearing from leaders: Maddie doing a great job translating.
Welcome to El LagartilloIn the schoolyard where two teenage boys, 13 and 14, died during the 1984 Contra attack.Remembering those who died.
Students learn about the only fresh, clean water source in the area-part of what makes Vicente’s farm so coveted.Walking through Padilla coffee farmCows at the farmAnd some pigsJosiah’s friendLunch at Padilla coffee farmThe cathedral in MatagalpaA street mural in MatagalpaThe cross overlooking MatagalpaMaddie enters El Museo Madres de Heroes y Martires of Esteli.Jesse walking by a Sandino paintingStudents explore the displays of the museum.A collection of armsPacking our bags on top of the busWelcome to LagartilloSaturday evening we heard the story of the Contra attack on LagartilloRemembering those who died.The faces of those who diedChildren’s theater performance at LagartilloA musical numberGoshen College vs. Lagartillo membersMosquito nets were important for our night stayListening to how Lagartillo members function as a community todayIn the schoolyard where two teenage boys died during the 1984 Contra attack.In the schoolyard where two teenage boys died during the 1984 Contra attack.The original school building near where two members diedThe spot where another community member diedThe mural outside the community arts buildingGetting ready to leave Lagartillo to head home to CarazoFixing the second flat tire of our tripDriving through the volcanic lowlands near LeonLunch in Leon
