I visited La Chureca and the children at Los Quinchos for the very last time today. I guess it will be awhile before I can “La Chinita” or “Samanthatita” for awhile and for my last entry here in Nicaragua, I guess I can write about a few things in regards to my experience at La Chureca, but before I leave tomorrow morning, I want to write about this particular ribbon.

red ribbon of hopeThis little ribbon was given to me while I was on my way to the bus station from my friend Alvaro’s house to Managua by this young man that saw me a day before.  I call this photo, “Little piece of hope,” because that is the most appropriate title I can give it. When this little piece of ribbon was cut, I was one of the 50+ people that heard the promises of the lady running for a mayoral office under FSLN. I was just walking around as usual when I saw a crowd gathering around Casa Sandanista Deptal Granada. The gentleman that was doing the press coverage was the same gentleman that covered LOVE’s photography exhibition, so as soon as he saw me, he waved for me to go inside the building. I did and got some photos.

I guess what I wanted to say about this little piece of ribbon was that it was very symbolic for this young man. I had saw
people celebrating in the street of Granada him earlier that morning and was surprised when he greeted me as if we’ve been friends for awhile. I asked him how he knew me and he said from the afternoon before. Anyhow, he stopped me and pulled the piece of ribbon out from his empty wallet and gave it to me and called me “amiga.” He looked very young...I would say late teens or early 20's and looked as if his job was to pick up the trash along the streets of Granada due to the wooden cart that I have seen him with.

What I saw in front of the building the afternoon before were people full of hopes and passion for their elected official and the dreams they promised to bring. But after being at La Chureca and hearing people telling me that as soon as they walk into city hall, they can smell corruption right away, made me wonder how strange is it that these elected officials can garner so much support and passion from the people that voted them into office. And how sad is it to know that once voted into office, the rules and politics are influenced by the money that was passed underneath the table. I cannot come up with answers for all the problems I have heard nor do I have answers to all of my own questions…but what I am is an observer of the lives of people I have met and connected with.