New Life Dawns at the Cultural Center of Batahola Norte

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

Many arose early (as the sun does at this latitude) to be greeted to a delightful breakfast during our first morning at Casa San Juan.

The day began with a drive to the Cultural Center of Batahola Norte, where were first greeted by our gracious host, Joe Connelly, who serves as the International Communications Coordinator.

Just as we were arriving at the Center in the morning, so too were school bus loads of young children in school uniforms who were gathering from local schools for a celebration of the International Day of the Child.

We had the opportunity to meet the Friends of Batahola Volunteers, Kelsey and Erika, who have also provided us with a warm welcome and assistance with translation and finding our way around the Center.
Each member of the Center's administrative team--Jennifer, Ileana, Candida, Josepha, and Sonia--all took the time to offer a hospitable welcome, and to bestow each of us with a handmade wooden cross.

Joe provided us with a tour of the Cultural Center, sharing the story of its founding and speaking of how the work of Sister Margie ("Margarita") Navarro, a graduate of St. Joseph Academy--now McNicholas High School--and a former principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary School continues to inspire hope among the children and families served by the Center.

Knowing of the ways so many of us have been impacted by time with our friend Gerardo Hernandez Arias during recent months, Joe was intentional in pointing out both the murals to which Gerardo contributed as a child...

Look closely and you'll see Gerardo's name in the lower righthand corner.

...as well as the most recent mural he's painted at the Center with which he inspires the children who spend time at the Center.

We then headed out for the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which is more commonly referred to as La Nueva Catedral.

All had the chance to enjoy quiet prayer in the towering sanctuary or in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, and participants had the opportunity to join those present in the morning to pray the Rosary or to light a votive candle.

During the afternoon, we were able to hear a presentation on Nicaraguan history, geography, and culture by Joe Connelly.  His knowledge, his passion, and his enthusiasm for understanding Nicaraguan culture served as both an inspiration and a challenge to us.

At lunchtime, we were received into various homes where we got to enjoy some fantastic food while also getting to know our "host families."  Lunch was capped off with helados from Doña Cony, a great way to cool off on a hot Managua afternoon.

When we returned to the Center, all members of our group took part in an icebreaker which allowed us to our introduce ourselves prior to the craft activity.

During the late afternoon, many joined in a pick-up game of soccer with some of the young people from the Batahola Norte barrio.  For many, this was first chance to encounter Kelsey Overly, an IHM and McNicholas alumna who had traveled to the Cultural Center in recent years, and who is volunteering the CCBN for a month.

Our day came to a close with a lovely dinner back at Casa San Juan, where we were viby three kind and compassionate Jesuit Volunteer International: Eva, Emily, and Cynthia...