¿Qué hace a una mujer fuerte?

Buenaaas Amigas y Amigos!

It has been a few short weeks since we’ve last reconciled, but so much has happened! We’ve finally started our internships and I am working with Gender Equity in los jovenes (the youth) of Nejapa.

Yesterday, we finished reviewing our research methods with our fun-loving and passionate community members (all women by the way), and next week is when we get to carry out our data collection processes. We will be interviewing youth and their parents about their doubts and fears surrounding teen pregnancy and sexual health. In addition, we will be asking them what dreams they’ve had for their families and for the future of their community. It is exhilarating to be able to participate in these conversations with such inspiring and strong women—and that too in Spanish?! My friends, my Spanish-speaking skills are improving gradually. Slowly, but surely!!

One of our interview questions for the beautiful people of Nejapa is:

¿Qué hace a una mujer fuerte?

 What makes a strong woman?

It is so empowering yet so unsettling to be working with these topics of power and inequality. It is so incredibly empowering to be a part of something that is so much bigger than yourself, yet still so unsettling to experience the realities of machismo. I have complete faith that the motivated and influential women leaders are driving social change, and I am so fortunate to even call myself a tiny part of this process.

In the meantime, we will be en route to the majestic city of Leon in just a few minutes! Catch you on the other side mis amigos.

My Cheat Sheet

My Cheat Sheet

Four weeks in and I am having the time of my life here in Brazil. It's so strange to be so far from home geographically but to feel so welcomed and loved in a place you've only been in for a short period of time. It may seem like it's hard to adjust at first, but everyday I am learning new phrases, new places, and new pieces of the city which keep me wanting to know more. So to help with the adjustment process, below, I have created a Cheat Sheet of things I have learned since being in Brazil. These are places to go, things to see, and what to do's.  

Cheat Sheet

1. Capybaras are the cutest, largest rodent you will ever see. G is scared of them but I dont think they bite. One of our mentors told us they have ticks, so we shouldn't ride them (but to be determined). 
2.  Ilhabela is a must go to island off the coast of Sao Paulo. We went for my birthday trip, and I guarantee it is one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. However, word to the wise, when people say mosquitoes flock at the beaches, they are not kidding. Bring bug spray. A lot of bug spray. 
3. If you have a birthday in Sao Paulo, and there are candles, don't try to blow them out. It is most likely a sparkler candle. People will laugh at you if try. It happened to me twice *thumbs up*. 
4. Don't underestimate the rain. In Sao Paulo, public transportation (commonly metro and bus) and walking are the main forms of transportation. In continuation, when it pours, Uber spikes their prices up knowing good and well people who walk may need a lift given the torrential downpour. I guarantee you will get soaked if you don't have an umbrella, and rain jackets won't cut it. We learned the hard way.
5. If you get hit by a car, it is best to take it with a laugh and continue walking (a lot of cars are stick shift and may roll backwards when being on a hill).
6. Dogs are INSANELY cute here. Also they allow them in malls so that's a big plus. Furthermore, don't trust stray dogs. You may think they are cute and friendly, but they know what they are doing. 
7. If you have a sweet tooth, you can find chocolate, ice cream, cake, or candy anywhere. My roommates have learned to specialize in finding sweets where ever we go. Addiction to chocolate is a thing, however. I would recommend taking it slow before becoming professionals like them. 
8. If you hear a car beeping on the street, it is most likely traffic. For some reason, there is always a lot of traffic. 
9. Don't wait to wash all your clothes at once. It'll take forever to wash, forever to hang, forever to dry, and forever to fold. I would strongly suggest against that.
10. Always try to plan ahead. If not, you may get stranded in San Sebastian. Fun fact: Uber doesn't work there. It's best to take a bus. If the bus driver feels sorry enough that your stranded and don't speak Portuguese, he may even escort you to a bus station to buy a ticket (he was such a sweet man).
11. Hold on to the handle bars when riding in the metro or buses. There have been numerous times when I think I'm fine then nearly face plant in front of numerous strangers. It's a super cute look. 

Overall, these are just a few things I have gained. I've loved every second and the memories and laughs keep building up. One month left. Who knows what will happen? Stay tuned. 

Early Childhood Development in Nejapa!

This week marks the beginning of our internships! For two weeks, we learned about public and global health in the classroom. During the third week, we were in the rural community of San Onofre and saw the AMOS model in action. Now, we are finally ready to begin research. The project I am involved in is Early Child Caring, Nutrition, and Stimulation Practices Formative Research – Data Collection. This week, we are going out into the community of Nejapa and interviewing mothers about their mental health state, nutrition practices, and habits they practice when caring for their children. We also use a development model to observe the children and track their development against what is normal for their ages. After doing the surveys, we come back to the AMOS campus to input and analyze the data. It has been so amazing working with the consejeras (community health workers) who are from Nejapa themselves! They have so much knowledge about the community, and they are very involved with AMOS. We also work closely with the AMOS staff and a few American doctors who have come to AMOS to help with this research project. In the morning, we go out into Nejapa to conduct surveys of the families. In the afternoons, we enter the data and meet with the team about any questions they might have. This weekend, we are going to León to see the city! I am so excited to go see the area and learn more about Nicaragua. We have been traveling every weekend, and it has been so much fun to travel with such an amazing group of people! Some members of the AMOS staff always come out with us, and it is great to get insider tips from them! I am very excited to continue the research and see what results we get and how we can work with the community to improve early childhood development.

Weekend Views in Granada

On the way up the stairs to the top of the Cathedral of Granada, there are cut-outs in the wall that you can sit in to rest, take pictures, or let people coming down pass by. The stairs are pretty narrow.

The view from the top of the Cathedral of Granada is spectacular. 

There is a Chocolate Mansion, museum, and spa all in one where you can relax for the day while indulging in some freshly made cocoa treats. 

After we returned to Managua, there were several birthdays that we celebrated at Meson Sur, a local pizza spot with an awesome view of the city line of Managua. 

Gelleana Mendez & the mosquitos of Ihlabela

Here is a photo of a boat, in jabaquara beach. 

In this photo we are in front of a natural fresh water pool the breeding ground of the mosquitoes.

 This is Castelhano beach, we had to cross the island by Jeep. It was Amalia's birthday. There was 6th generation pirates there.

These are capybaras they are like furry cows, a mix of a guine pig and a pig, a pig guine. My friend wanted to get closer but I was too scared.