Riding along I saw this beautiful family in the village. They were just standing around looking like they needed something to do and they invited me to sit with them. All the kids were so kind introducing themselves. One by one they said their hello's and they were so happy to see a new face. As they kept coming, I was counting and counting and counting-there ended up being 9. It's common for Nicaraguan's to have more than 6 children in their family therefore this was not a surprise.
What was a sad surprise was there living conditions living in a small barn with some kind of rectangular cabin on the opposite(cabin is not the correct term, but I do not like continuously using the word shack due to labeling/ discrimination). The house itself had a wooden fence up like a horse stable and there was a filthy bench outside.
What was a sad surprise was there living conditions living in a small barn with some kind of rectangular cabin on the opposite(cabin is not the correct term, but I do not like continuously using the word shack due to labeling/ discrimination). The house itself had a wooden fence up like a horse stable and there was a filthy bench outside.
Like an off duty social worker, I was just observing my surroundings. Not at any point did I comment on their lack of space or how they get by there, that was not the point of my visit. My visit was to get to know them and be a friendly kind face.
Of course, I did praise the mother for her difficult job raising the children without any support or assistance. I shared with her the many mothers I have worked with who had this same problem. Her resilience and strength of self shine through as she was sweeping and then feeding the hens.
The neighbor from across and her older daughter to see what all the commotion was about. Her older daughter brought over her sumo size baby. I was looking at him trying to figure out if I ever saw a 6 month old baby that big. As for the 14 year old neighbor, he was just fascinated with me and he asked me all about USA and what it's like. These people just break my heart because they are so wonderful, so curious, and most won't get the chance to travel outside of their country or even their village. It's not truly being "stuck" when you are in such a beautiful area, city, and country, but they still deserve the right to explore. An American has that opportunity with just money and an American passport-not fair at all.
I asked him why didn't you smile when you were so happy talking to me.
"I want to look cool for America."Mission accomplished my friend....
When I spoke with the little girls, they were interested in Dora and Disney characters. The middle age boy talked about how his neighbor has an xbox that he gets to use sometimes. We played some tag for a bit and then I had to stop with the heat and carrying around no water-did I mention how smart I am?
When I'm out on the streets, I like to have something to give them and something that makes the most financial and kid sense is candy. It's something nice to give to kids who are working with their families-form of praise. I was in luck because all I had were some candies to share with them. It was something small and they were so thankful. And when something small comes to American kids, they say "I don't like this flavor can I have a new one?" Not with these children-they are thankful for what they get and they are far from spoiled.
It was time for me to depart and continue my bike stops and see the rest of Granada, which was fantastic with the orange, green, and yellow houses. I wish an orange, green, or yellow house could be given to this family. I know God will take care of them....he always does and always will because they are his people who have truly good hearts and the secret to a good life... 
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