microfinance goes cyber

Laura and her daughter Laurita

Melba and her machine

Exequiel (MF teacher), Laura, Melba, Julie




Melba + bag = lovely


Laura and her "Anthropologie goes to Nicaragua" apron

Last year, Laura and Melba took out loans to start businesses- buying clothing in bulk at the market in the city and bringing it home to the community to sell to those who didn't have the time or means to get into town. They also did some sewing- blankets, aprons, curtains. They have worked hard all year and are 3 installments away from paying off their loans. These ladies decided they're ready for the next step. Laura has been making aprons for volunteers who want to take a little of our microfinance program home to their kitchens. We talked about their different markets and profiting by catering to those different needs and wants- namely that Nicas want cheap and that Gringos want unique. So we came up with the idea to design one or two aprons to sell on the internet through MPI's webpage. We studied popular styles from Anthropologie and independent boutiques and added to that inspiration a little Nica flair. And Melba is getting involved by copying the design of a linen bag I got at Target. It's going to be a lovely project and a wonderful way to support these ladies. Stay tuned for a snazzy webpage so you can order them online.

missing melissa

Tomorrow is Melissa's 23rd birthday, and she is going out to dinner at some swanky place called Bobo in New York.


This is our first time in four years not to celebrate birthdays together, and it sucks.

Melitha, I hope you feel very special and loved and celebrated on the day that marks 23 years of your lovely presence in this world.

loveandmiss.
-j

mirando desde afuera

we went to an art exhibit at the alianza francesa as part of the creative arts program. the french ambassador to nicaragua is apparently also a photographer, and he took some photos of el salvador on a diplomatic visit. the students had to choose a favorite photo and write about the feelings it elicited. great field trip.

free time, free rice

This morning, Dane and I took MPI's Nissan Patrol to the shop for a fluids change. The guy says, "No problem, 40 minutes, an hour max." So we wait. And wait and wait. After an hour and a half, we ask how it's coming. "No problem, don't worry, 5 more minutes." So we wait. And wait and wait. 2 hours and 40 minutes after we get there, I ask if we can please get the car back because we are late for the Literacy class we teach. I hand over $114 (an ungodly sum here in Nica) in exchange for our keys and curse customer service in this country. Someday I'll learn that when someone in Nicaragua tells you, "No problem, 5 minutes," it absolutely does not mean 5 minutes. It means closer to an hour. And if you remember that, life is a lot more tranquila. I am such an American, expecting things when they are promised. Psh!

On that note, here's a great way to turn free time into something good: freerice.com
(better vocabulary and free rice for the third world!)

¡más energía!

this almost makes me look like i know what i'm doing. pff- exercise instructor... who let me sign up for that?

spring break, possible puppies?

Dane and I stood together and waved this morning as our last Spring Break group rolled their suitcases full of hammocks and seashells into the airport to head back to college life. This month has been a whirlwind. More than 70 college students, professors, and priests passed through our doors this March to spend their Spring Break time learning what we do and who we love and how important it is to wear sunblock this close to the equator.

Dane and I led two groups back-to-back (exciting, but completely exhausting). The Texas Episcopal college ministry brought down 19 Texas, Baylor, and Texas A&M students and 2 priests. It was so encouraging to have my college ministry supporting and experiencing my life here. Then a group from Worcester State College in Massachusetts came to work on the Microfinance program we run in Cedro Galan.

In other news, we think our dog Sydney is prego. Dane claims that the birth control shot he gave her said it would work for 6 months, but I think he made that up because he wanted puppies.

Tonight is Matt's last Monday Night Meeting. He's heading back to the states next week, and I feel sad. It feels like the beginning of the end. Here's to you Matt...

jingle bells, my laundry smells, all the kitties died

the little kitties have all passed on to the great beyond, which was sad for about a day, but now i have my life back. the best part was that the day the second-to-last kitty died, i had to borrow the el farito key from carolina, jasmina, and doña juana's next door. i said hello to their little kitty "missyfoo" as i always do, and carolina told me that her mom wanted me to have her because i love her so much and they are getting a new kitty soon and can't take care of two. i got pretty excited and called my mom to ask if i could get her some shots and fly her home with me for christmas (ridiculous, i know, but i was emotionally raw on the subject of kitties). she reminded me that our cat mr. lucky does not do well with company and that it would just be a disaster. plus i'm allergic. oh well.

marcela has photoshopped a killer christmas card for us to hand out to our friends in the community before we leave. see below:


this week, we are drilling our little creative arts students on the songs they have learned and the countries we have studied in preparation for our holiday performance this thursday evening. after that we'll clean out some closets and do a little traveling before heading home for the holidays.

i tried to make cookies here once, but it turned out more like a giant sheet of oatmeal cookie. today, i am attempting sugar cookies rolled in walnuts. wish i had some holiday cutters. maybe i'll exacto-knife some candy canes and snowmen into existence.

in other news, my laundry still sort of smells like mildew. all i want for christmas is a dryer.