Adapting in Achuapa

By Sophie Gatward, Alpha 6

It’s only honest to say that all members of the Alpha 6 team didn’t truly know what we were all getting ourselves into when we found out we were scheduled to go to Achuapa. Firstly it being one of the most remote of all the community projects it was not only difficult to assimilate into the community but the physical effort behind bringing clean drinking water beyond our imagination. Calling it different from home would be insufficient, calling it an eye-opener would be and understatement, but calling it life-changing would seem a perfect fit for our three-week journey. 

It took us two days to reach Achuapa with several transits (two separate buses, a truck and of course walking).  We arrived to a warm welcome from the community sitting in their plastic chairs brought from their homes (they became our prized possession after a long and hot morning at the work site.) We regrettably, got to stay with those families only for a couple of nights before moving uphill to what soon became our real Nicaraguan families. On the whole it can definitely be said that we all made a real impact on each others’ lives.  Over the two weeks the whole group met around 7am, arriving at the work site by 8am although we were all wide awake much earlier. Between the chickens and the roosters’, clucks and doos, and the mass invasions, we all definitely had at least one natural “alarm clock”. Pay no mind to the thumping of freshly pressed tortillas, the constant radio chatter, and overly excited children. 

As for our days, none of us ever seemed to know exactly what was planned for us “labourers”. We all laughed when we were told to meet up at a particular time because “Nicaraguan” time is definitely not the same as normal world time. We started our first day up two our knees in thick squishy and all encompassing mud! I figured we were up for a tough couple of weeks with a kick-start like that and wow, was I right. What I didn’t take into account was how tough we proved to be. We located a spring, dug the mud, placed the rocks, mixed the cement, formed numerous industrial revolution-esque labour lines to move the many materials, and dug a trench or two. I think we can all agree we spent the majority of our working hours shoveling into the flesh of the earth while constantly attempting to amp up our tans.

Between the “sweaty eyes”, the ants hopping  into our boots, and seriously taped up zinc-oxide hands, it felt like we experienced it all. 

Not only did we get physically tougher, moving bigger rocks nearly every day but also mentally, forcing through those hot days where we truly didn’t think we could shovel one more heap. We learned to encourage each other, we learned to rest when we were tired, and we learned to laugh a lot, mostly at each others’ expense.

We were told the food would be simple but they didn’t say how satisfying it would taste. The rice, beans, tortillas, eggs, cheese, and really rare chicken were some of my favourite moments of the day. Friends said they liked showering best.

This chronicle wouldn’t be nearly complete if it didn’t thoroughly explain the generosity behind everyone of our host families. Yali and Joe’s parents bought them socks from Achuapa one day. Kenneth and Vicky couldn’t help but fall in love with Mercedes, a young single mom who truly wants better things for her two-year old daughter. Graham and Martin’s sister always washed their dirty work clothes ensuring their T-shirts were as “super blanco” as they liked. Rosie and Holly’s mom owned the community store and when Holly fell ill, she nursed her like one of her daughters. 

Our PMs, Annie, Pam and Phil had a mom whose smile literally brightened the room. She was always making them coffee and never declined our requests to use their shower when our water ran out for the day. Harry and Eammon’s younger brothers would walk them to and from their home to protect them from the vicious dogs. Adri and myself had a wild animal viewing nearly every evening. I think they loved the look on my face every time I saw something new and different from home. To say each and every one of our families was kind and helpful wouldn’t at all convey their generosity.

In conclusion, all of us had an amazing time. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other. Our biggest fear was being separated in Phase 2. I wish everyone the very best in their next two phases!

Love,

Sophie.