From top to bottom

I never thought when I picked up my First Class degree from Edinburgh University that two years later I would be sitting in a children's play center as a volunteer, just trying to spend time with kids whose mothers have lived on the streets or were the victims of violence.

Nor did I think, when I was the Founding Secretary General of  a Model United Nations Conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that three years later I would be volunteering and sitting in a canteen with some street kids answering questions about the UK.

The truth is, I have, for the last few years, become used to being at the top of things.  Either getting the top degree or by being the President of the organization, or in another position responsible in some way for managing whatever organisation I was working for or involved with.

As such, it has been quite a shock and a new experience to go from being at the top, to being at the bottom.  To being a volunteer in an international charity, where to be honest, my responsiblities are pretty basic, its mainly just being there with the street kids or victims of abuse.  Play games with them, chatting to them, trying to provide a sense of friendship and support.

But it is exactly this transition from top to bottom that has given me some inspiring new opportunitiies and insights into trying to make this world a better place.

It was much more glamorousat a fancy graduation ceremony than it was today at a young child's play centre.  However, I have been able to see the real importance of having people working and being commited to work at this 'bottom' level.  The street kids I work with are in clear need of that sense of support and understanding in their lives, and it seems that the best way this can be done is simply be being there.  It doesn't matter if I got a First Class degree, or that once some time ago I helped to set up an MUN in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  It seems that what matters most is that I am there, I am commited, and I care.

After one week......

Here is a brief overview as to some of the things that have stuck with me after my first week working with Casa Alianza Nicaragua.

It is a humbling and inspiring experience working with a group of mothers and their children who are the victims of abuse and exploitation.  At the same time, there is nothing more sickening when, after thinking it is really cute that a 5 year old girl knows how to dance regaetton, to find out that child is the victim of human trafficking.  I was left with the harrowing question as to whether that child had been taught to dance for the most unspeakable of reasons

To see a 10 year old on the street, with glazed eyes, aged face and a body that he could just about manage haul about is an image I will never forgot

There is something phenomenal about being invited to take part in a dance class with women who are victims of horrific abuses.  To have been allowed to enter their world and take part in their activities has meant a great deal to me

To hear a 14 year old boy talk about the future, aware that there might not be that much left of it for him, after his body has been destroyed by drug addiction and alcoholism is something a child should never have to go through.


In one week I have learnt a lot.  This can only be a very small overview as to some of the things which have happened and which I have been part of.  I hope to keep learning and keep doing all I can to support and help.

Arrived

You know you are in Nicaragua, when instead of walking through the arrivals terminal to be met by someone waiting to pick you up, you are instead met by a girl who looks about 7 years old, holding out her hand in the hope of receiving a dollar

You know you are in Nicaragua when as driving from the airport in a pick-up style truck, three homeless children jump on the back of the truck at a set of red-lights in the hope of finding something to steal.

You know you are in Nicaragua when driving through Managua you see a city stripped of its pride, by both natural disasters and extreme poverty

You know you are in Nicaragua when you see all this within a few moments of arrival in the country, and already the country is 'under your skin'

I think I am going to love it here but I also have a funny feeling that this country is going to break my heart!

This is it!

With less than 24 hours until I board the plane to make my return to Nicaragua, here is my final update from the UK:

Well the bags are packed, all the details sorted, although the feeling that I am once again  to travel and live on the other side of the world, hasn't quite set in.

What's ahead of me I think is going to be the toughest challenge I have undertaken to date, as such, I am both very excited and very nervous. 

I am sure that I am going to be exposed to situations that leave me shocked, saddened, frustrated, horrified, perhaps even scared. I just hope I am able to find all of the strength within me to work through the moments when confronted by these emotions, and do what I can to fulfill my aims, and try, where possible, to make a positive difference for the lives of street children.

Its gonna be tough, but I am also sure that the next period of my life is going to be phenomenally rewarding.  I am sure I am going to learn a lot from it, especially in terms of the possibilities and set-backs in trying to  make this world a better place.

So that's it.  I'm off.  I don't know how regular my internet access will be, but I will do what I can to keep this blog updated as often as possible, with stories of life working with street children in Managua, Nicaragua.

Thank you to everyone for your support so far,

Hasta pronto,

Much love,

Simon