People Helping People Global

Today was a very special day for me because what I have experienced and observed changed my world and life perspective. I had one of the most eye opening and humbling experiences in my life which I am going to describe in this post.

We drove approximately to Matagalpa, a city located 3 hours away from Managua. Of course we had to make a stop on the way there and take some pictures.

And more pictures. Pictures of the road because roads are so different in Nicaragua.

We met with Berly, Director of the Organization called People Helping People Global (PHPG), and one of its employees, Marta in a wonderful cafe in Matagalpa.In brief, organization works with individuals and their communities to escape extreme poverty.

Dr. Sama with Berly.

Kevin is always doing a great job with translating.

I think PHPG is a program similar to GLOBE, but just more developed with more infrastructure and actual employees. The organization offers interest-free microloans, training, and exposure to new markets.

PHPG's brochures explaining what the organization is, what does it do and operate.

The meeting with PHPG was very successful and I believe we can use some of its tools to improve our GLOBE program. With PHPG we visited borrowers and collected loans repayments and disbursed loans. We visited areas of extreme poverty. Borrowers lacked access to running water and many resources. However, with the use of loans they were able to invest money on their small businesses and enterprises to help themselves and their families to break the cycle of poverty.

All the pictures are from the neighborhood we visited, called . People in this community live near by the big trash dumb area where they go to look for food or items that can be used.

All children living in poverty were extremely happy to see us and play with us. It brought them much joy. Visits made me realize that I take many things for granted, and I do not always appreciate what I have. I learned, yet again, that simple things can bring happiness.

We got a chance to visit local school and see children who were attending it.

I am adding more pictures of the day and Nicaragua, its culture, people and gorgeous views.

My wonderful friends, Mariam, Chinyere, Alina (Graduate Assistant), and Kevin an are going to create very interesting posts, so please check them out.

Un precioso dia en in país precioso

Un precioso dia en in país precioso

"a beautiful day in a beautiful country"

Waking up at 3:40 is something that I would normally not look forward to, but in these circumstances the excitement I had overcome how tired I felt. The plane ride was long but it offered us some time to bond with each other. It even got a little weird at some points (pretty sure I had a stalker). As soon as we got to the airport in Managua a feeling of nostalgia came over me. I felt as if I was back home. It's a bittersweet feeling because I really do miss El Salvador but because of the situation the country is in we don't go back anymore. 

Waking out of the airport we met Manfred, who seemed more like a friend then the owner of the hotel we were staying at. The hotel itself is in the shape of a pyramid hence the name El Pyramide. As you can see even Manfred reps GLOBE. 

Fabretto was our first stop. We met with Jennifer White who was the merchandise manager to talk about what Fabretto really does. We got to see some of the hand woven baskets that the ladies make which help them earn a steady income. We also got to see the jewelry that the children and women make. It's astonishing because they're beautiful pieces of  jewelry made from recycled material. One thing that I've really enjoyed about this trip is how all the fellows are so eager to submerge themselves in Nicaragua's culture. Everyone tries to speak Spanish and always has questions that show their interest in what we're doing here. Being originally from El Salvador the culture is familiar to me but it is so refreshing to see everyone so fascinated by the amazing culture here.  

Day 1. Managua: Fabretto & Nica HOPE

Our journey started on Monday, May 18th, 2015 when we all met at the airport at 6 a.m. (was there any earlier flight Dr. Sama could have booked? I doubt that :)

We haven’t been in Managua for full 24 hours, but I feel like we already got accustomed to the country and its culture. And food, of course. Manfred, Dr. Sama’s old friend and owner of the Hotel La Pyramide, picked us up from the airport. Manfred is very nice and lovely person. He was even wearing GLOBE t-shirt!

We arrived at the hotel that is truly shaped like a pyramid. It is small but very cozy. Manfred was nice enough to prepare quick food for us, so we could fill up our stomachs and head to the first site, Fabretto. I have to say that the food here is delicious, so it is very hard to stop eating.

Dr. Sama and our driver at La Pyramid.

The first organization we visited is called Fabretto Children’s Foundation. It empowers underserved children and their families to allow them to reach their full potential, and take economic opportunity through education and nutrition. Fabretto offers many programs that benefit children and teach them life skills. During out visit we met Jennifer who showed us around. Jennifer is originally from San Francisco but she moved to Nicaragua to make a difference in the world and help alleviate poverty by empowering children and providing them with opportunities. Jennifer is a very inspirational person who devoted many years of her life to help the poor and marginalized. She chose to fly by herself to a country without much money and without a long-term plan. Now, Jennifer has been in Nicaragua for couple of years, and she hopes to stay in Managua in a long-tem. Jennifer showed us their small office, and some of the products the organization sells, such as baskets, jewelry boxes, coffee, earrings and bracelets. We all bought a souvenir from the organization to support its great cause, and to bring back home some gorgeous hand-made decorations.

Documentary about children growing in Nicaragua and difficulties they encounter. Children from Fabretto are part of the documentary.

More hand-made baskets and jewelry.

I was so happy to buy fair trade coffee from Fabretto.

We drove with Jennifer to Nica HOPE. It is a local organization that offers handmade jewelry to help the community of La Chureca, the dump. In brief, over 175 families live in the trash dump and they daily go through the piles of trash to find plastic and metal to sell, in addition to collecting food and other life necessities. Nica HOPE‘s employees create beautiful jewelry, often made form plastic and metal, like earrings, rings, and bracelets. Tatiana, a girl in a red t-shirt, is working for Nica HOPE. In fact, she is one of the first women who were hired by the organization. Tatiana oversees operations and basically does her best to manage it. She showed us Nica HOPE”s office where we purchased even more jewelry and souvenirs. Dr. Sama loved one of the necklaces, so we, GOBE Fellows, decided to purchase one for her. Dr. Sama seems very happy which indicated that she really likes the necklace.

It was getting late in the day so we headed back to the hotel. We finally got to shower and relax a little. In the evening we drove to the very popular area in Managua with approximately 20 restaurants located on the boardwalk. We decided to eat seafood, which was so delicious. The food is so great in Nicaragua. We all love it. Walking in the evening around Managua was a nice and refreshing experience. "Nicaragua- the happiness of living in peace".

More pictures of the day we spend driving around Managua.

HELLO WORLD (World is great, isn't it?)

Hi there!

Welcome to the amazing GLOBE Fellows Blog where I am going to post about our trip to Nicaragua. Before I start blogging let me introduce myself. My name is Aleksandra (Ola) Wachowicz and I am an international student from Poland. Today I graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management. I came to St. John's University to play NCAA Division I Volleyball.

What a great four years I have had here. I am very thankful to call myself alumni of this outstanding institution. SJU gave me opportunities I never thought I would have, and introduced me to experiences I never even thought about. Although I met many wonderful people, teammates, and professors, Dr. Sama is the most influential person I met. She founded GLOBE, Global Loaning Opportunities for Budding Entrepreneurs program. It is by far the best program and class I have attended while studying. I was a GLOBE Manager during the Fall 2014 and I was in the Information and Technology Team. In brief, GLOBE strives to alleviate poverty in the world. It makes me feel so good inside to know I can make a difference in the world. I am honored to be chosen to go for the trip to Nicaragua with three other amazing GLOBE Fellows, Dr. Sama and Alina, Dr. Sama’s Graduate Assistant. We are going to Nicaragua for 8 long (very long) days. We are going to visit various philanthropic sites, many directly associated with the microfinance industry. There is no doubt in my mind that I will meet many inspirational people who are dedicated to helping the poor and marginalized. I am so thrilled to be traveling to Nicaragua tomorrow morning, and so grateful to every individual who made our journey possible. I would like to thank members of the Board of Trustees and other individuals who provide the funds necessary to continue the GLOBE Student Fellows program.

Please meet the GLOBE Fellows.From the left: Kevin, Mariam, me and Chinyere.

And with Dr. Sama (she is the best).

Us, again, Dr. Sama took us by surprise during Final Presentations of GLOBE Class of Spring 2015. We all received gorgeous awards for being chosen to be GLOBE Student Fellows.

I hope that you will follow this blog (I am going to post a lot of gorgeous pictures) and be inspired to work towards poverty alleviation. See you in Managua!