Managua is one of those cities that can suck you in. The tough history of this country is overcome by the tenacity of its residents bringing it to life.  Between many years of conflict and a series of earthquakes, most recently in 1973, Managua has taken a few punches but it marches forward with vigor. I am in awe of the hospitality and authenticity of the Nicaraguan people.  I have no doubt I will one day return.

Managua is often a hub for visits to multiple sites in the country but I think it deserves more time to begin to understand this fascinating country.  I visited Granada, Leon, beaches and Masaya Volcano on a previous trip– all absolutely worth a visit also.  Nicaragua has become my favorite Central America destination and I have not even yet visited the Caribbean side!  See previous post about the beautiful mountains.

I was in Nicaragua to work on a project with a healthcare start-up called Estacion Vital.  I will write more about the company and project but I will say that it was a fabulous experience to work with an energetic entrepreneur and his team dedicated to improving access to care in this amazing country.  He and those surrounding him exemplify the spirit of the people—welcoming, sincere, and steadfastly committed to the country they love so much.  It is always a privilege to stay somewhere long enough to get a little taste of real life in a place.  It is an even greater privilege to learn from others in faraway places and be reminded again just how connected–and similar–we all are. 

In addition to working on my main project in Managua, I had the opportunity to meet many others working on social impact causes in the country. The city can feel quite international because of the thousands of people from other countries working or living here.  A few organizations that inspire me:

I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time at Chureca Chic, a coffee shop (with fabulous coffee) and boutique that sells products made by women in an impressive 11-month training program run by the Earth Education Project.  The dedication and the rigor of this program to empower women living in poverty in the city could be a model for programs everywhere.

I spent my last week in Managua at a beautiful eco-hostel, La Bicicleta, run by four amazing women. They are dedicated to showing off the country they love so much.  The hostel is beautifully designed but the best thing is the staff—knowledgeable, helpful and proactive.  They also set up a very good city tour (Must-Do!) which is an excellent introduction to the country.  They arrange visits to various places around the country. I look forward to following the exciting things they have in store to make people feel at home in beautiful Nicaragua.

One of the incredible things about this fellowship experience is sharing it with my colleagues from different parts of the world and learning about different sectors as MovingWorlds has a wide diversity of partners. I got to spend some time with a colleague from Brazil working with NicaPhoto on holistic educational support in Nicaragua and their partner organization based in the US , Level Up Village, promoting collaboration on STEAM education around the world.  I am beyond impressed and love this concept of connecting the world.  An excerpt: Volcanoes, Songs and Laughs: Cross-Cultural Conversation Deepens Bonds Between Students.

As this particular stop in the journey comes to an end, I move on hopefully wiser, definitely more enriched, humble and grateful to be able to connect in a meaningful way with that great big world out there. Even as the world seems increasingly difficult, I am unshakably optimistic as I cross paths with those making Hope a daily Reality. Thank you for the unparalleled hospitality, Managua. Until we meet again.