Today was a day full of all business for VISEDAL!
Woke up to get dressed somewhat nice to head to the Managua government building. VISEDAL has been trying to become approved and valid in Nicaragua. So we took a taxi to La Plaza and went in to the government building. Unfortunately, Jessie and I couldn't go into the office with Brad because only one member of the organization can go in to meet with the government official. So Jessie and I waited outside the office and I read my book in spanish that I got a few days ago. It's getting really interesting and I am challenging my understanding of spanish so much more and it's really exciting! Even right now I'm listening to spanish worship music! :) The more I surround myself with it the better off I will be.
So anyways, Brad came out of the office and we walked outside the building and with a big grin on his face told us that VISEDAL got approved by Nicaragua!!! We were so excited! I couldn't believe it finally happened! It was pretty awesome to be there when it happened too. Brad showed us all of the books that have to be kept and then a packet explaining everything that has to be done and we have 30 days to hire an accountant etc. It is a lot of work and a lot of stuff! But I definitely think it will be so helpful in the long run even if it requires more work.
Jessie and Brad outside the government building after VISEDAL was approved
Oh yea and this picture couldn't be right in front of the building because the security lady told me I couldn't take pics of the building. We all really wanted a picture so we went out of her sight and took it. Sshhh don't tell! :) But it was really cool and definitely an exciting moment and we definitely needed a picture!
So we headed back to the hostel and this is when the work really began for me. Brad and I sat down at a table in the common area of the hostel and began to work on updates. Updates are letters or information about the scholars that VISEDAL sends to each of their sponsors with a picture and information on how they are doing and what they want to do in the future etc. So I translated the ones that we had and Brad and I had to look through all of the photos and find good pictures of all 31 scholars that could be used for the updates. So we had been working for about 2 hours and it was lunch time so we took a break to go get lunch. This time at our usual place to eat right around the corner from the hostel, I got something different for lunch and it was delicious! It was this shredded beef and tasted ind of like BBQ beef. I was very content with my decision!
So back to work! Came back and worked for another 6 hours on our computers. Finishing up the updates and we still have to finish up the rest of them but we got a good amount done today. Also I had to get all of the details for my intern project together and then Brad and I took a look at our schedule to see how and when we can plan to have the kids come to our new office space that we are renting. This scheduling and figuring out how to have all of the kids come and working around their school schedule was definitely difficult and took a great deal of time. We are still trying to plan how to do it and then what to do with all the kids as well, but that is where my project will come in. So we still have a lot more to plan and figure out but we definitely got a big chunk of it thought through.
So today was just a day full of work. You know you think of how awesome it is to hang out with the kids and it is but there is so much more work than just spending time with the kids that goes into working and maintaining an NGO. It was good for me to see this because it showed me the reality of working or starting an NGO. I like having to do this type of work, because I can see the purpose behind it and want to tackle it. But I will admit it was definitely an eye opener. Brad is going to show us tomorrow all of the paper work that has to be completed to be recognized in Nicaragua. So I look forward to seeing that and really getting to the root of how an NGO is managed.
So tonight for dinner it was two big bowls of Trix and a handful of cold pasta! We didn't feel like cooking and didn't want to go out to eat so we ate what we bought at the grocery store. It was quite delicious and now I am enjoying a few Oreos, which I have been craving since I've been here!
I have definitely enjoyed taking each day by day. I am an individual who likes to focus on the future and what is to come next and yes that is good but one thing I have been realizing is how important it is to live each day for what it is now and not neglecting the present because I'm too focused on the future. Keeping a daily blog has been one thing that has really made me appreciate each day. But also just wanting to absorb all of the time I can with the kids and I don't want to rush things in life and want to live each day with care and like it is my last. No I'm not saying "YOLO" because that isn't what I'm talking about . That phrase usually approves of stupid and senseless behavior and I most certainly am not. I am saying to appreciate every morning you wake up with breath in your body and every experience and every person in your life. A lot has been going through my head but I definitely have been spending more time in the present than in the future. If you don't take time for the present then there will be no future. A preparation of the present is required to flourish a successful future. Learn to appreciate the "now" because eventually your future will be a "now" and if you can't appreciate it now then it will fly by and you will miss out on so much! Just something that has been on my mind recently and really the whole time I've been here. Some food for thought. :)
Well until next time, buenas noches
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