Nicaragua 04/08

This is what I look like at work...

This Day of Celebration event was unique for a couple reasons. First of all, it is hosted at Zacarias Guerra Boys Home and the home is lucky enough to have a pool. Therefore as part of the day's activities each home had a set period of time that they could enjoy time playing in the pool. This was a first for most of the children and no one wanted to get out when their time was up.

This event also has long standing competition between homes in scooer and track and field. The junior boy's soccer tournament ended in a shoot out that had the entire crowd screaming and jumping around.

The homes spend lots of time preparing for the cultural show. They bring traditional costumes, many of which are made by the children themselves, and dance to folkloric Nicaraguan songs. Some of the homes sang or played musical instruments.

Given the large size of the Angels of Hope program in Nicaragua and the expensive costs of transportation we divided the event into different regions this year. This was the first event, taking place in Managua where the majority of the homes are located. The following events are in different regions of the country. The Angels of Hope program in Nicaragua includes over 20 children's homes and over 1,000 children.

Dominican Republic 4/08

As I mentioned before, the Days of Celebration are in full swing. This trip included the events in both the Dominican Republic as well as Nicaragua. Thanks to American Airlines and their cancellation of my flight, I was actually able to go home and sleep for four hours in between the two trips. Just enough time to nap, throw all my clothes out of my luggage, and repack my bags.

The Day of Celebration in the DR was hosted in Santo Domingo Savio Boy's Home. In one word, the event was LOUD. The children arrived in buses blaring loud music. They were screaming, dancing and singing before they were even off the buses. The talent competitions rocked with loud music and the cheering sections for each home competed with the volume.

Pizza was served for lunch and the afternoon was filled with children's shows, sports, and other competitions.

We were honored to have two of our Angels of Hope sponsors attend this event. They came all the way from Michigan to meet their sponsored child and attend the Day of Celebration event. We were able to visit the child's orphanage and they passed out goodies and sweets to all the children.

Preparations for an event of this size, approximately 600 children and 70 staff and volunteers, takes a lot out of you. By the time the event was over I was so exhausted, sweaty, and ready to go to sleep. I returned to the hotel, packed my bags, went to sleep, and woke up at 4:00 am to catch my early morning flight back to MIA. I had completely lost my voice from the day's activities and arrived in Nicaragua the following day to face another large scale event with nothing but a squeak.

Trinidad 04/08

Trinidad started off our season of Days of Celebration with their event on April 5th, 2008.

In our Angels of Hope program we host an event once a year in each country called the Day of Celebration. It is a day dedicated to all of the amazing children in our sponsored children's homes. All of the homes come together for one large celebration. The day includes food, snacks, gift bags, prizes, trophies and medals, competitions, children's games, clowns, music, dancing, talent shows, parades, and lots more. Each country organizes and plans their Day of Celebration individually, so each event has its own unique touch.

The event in Trinidad was hosted at our largest Angels of Hope home, St Dominic's Children's Home. The event hosted approximately 400 children and 50 staff and volunteers. The day started off with a parade/march pass. As is customary in Trinidad, the children organized themselves into teams and prepared a coordinated march pass in front of the audience and judges. The passes included some acrobatic tricks and dance moves. It was an exciting, entertaining, and very loud start to the event.

The rest of they day included a magic show, sports competitions, an appearance by a popular Soca singer (Blue), dance competitions, drawing competitions, prize give-away, goodie bags, and tummies full of sweets and fried chicken. Each home received a box of FFP donated basketballs, soccer balls, and volleyballs along with three brand new bicycles.

The children really enjoyed themselves and searched me out all day to ask about their sponsors. They always want to know if I know each one of them individually and they want to know when they will be receiving their next letter. This program is really important for these children and they relish in the attention they receive from their individual sponsors.

I also had the opportunity to visit a couple homes that are new the Angels of Hope program in Trinidad. After a long drive to the country-side I received a warm welcome and a tour of our newest addition. The home was beautiful and the children were truly adorable. They were many smaller children at the home and they all wanted hugs and kisses from the visitors. We evaluated project needs and possibilites and promised a return visit soon.

I love Trinidad for its unique blend of cultures, music, food, and energy. One night I walked down the street and sat in on a pan presentation in a local yard. The band played quite a few warm up numbers of loud, rapturing pan music. Then the judges arrived and arranged themselves at a little table lit up by a gentleman holding a flashlight in the night. The band started up again to play the featured song that was to be judged in the on-going competition. The drummers were jumping and dancing with so much energy, it was impossible to keep your feet still. The song ended and the judges piled back in the van to head to the next yard.

I spent all week eating curry goat and roti, akee and saltfish, beef and cheese patties in coco bread, and all natural juices. I even ventured to try some pig tail. The people are such a beautiful mix of Indian, African, English, and Chinese. The most adorable little children with dark skin and light green eyes. I love visiting Trinidad and I look forward to going back on my next trip.