Britney Villhauer is a charter member of the Dirty Roots Revolution. She is a Greenville College student, conducting an internship in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. We occasionally share updates she sends us, to highlight global issues and to share ways that DRR revolutionaries are letting their lights shine to make a difference all over the world.
-Ryan Mifflin
For the past two weeks I have been trying to settle all of the issues and resolve all of the problems that have contributed to the political divisions, violence, and extreme poverty that plague Nicaragua today. … I have not come up with an answer yet. It is very frustrating for me when I am trying to save the world but I can’t. My recent trip to Nicaragua was an amazing experience although (or maybe because) it has shaken up my world and turned things upside-down on me. Things are not so black and white anymore and I have to admit I am not entirely comfortable with this new spectrum – reality. I can confidently report a very insightful and eye-opening experience in Nicaragua though it may not have been conformational on what is “good” and “bad.”
Our group spent the first couple of days in Managua (the capital city) having discussions and presentations on history and current issues. We even had a guest speaker Antonio Lacayo, a previous minister of the presidency during Violeta Chamorro’s term directly following the Sananista revolution. It was so amazing to be able to discuss the political future of Nicaragua with such an influential figure and he was very informative. I am so excited that we had that opportunity!!
We also visited a church in Managua that is experiencing a lot of division due to political issues. The church is covered with murals that depict God’s participation in the world today that is being challenged by more conservative religious leaders. But I have to say, that was the most beautiful church I have ever seen in my life. The indigenous murals were so symbolic and moving.
We also visited a protest community of previous banana plantation workers. They are struggling to receive legal compensation for health concerns caused by a harmful chemical that the banana corporations knowingly used, Nemagon. Google it if you have time and are interested. This group suffers from cancer and sterility because the banana plantations wanted a cheaper product, even though this chemical was already banned in the US because of its known side effects.
After our chat with the leaders of the group, we were given some free time to walk around and tour the village of shacks. I had the opportunity to sit in a hut with some men while they were making beans and have a very powerful conversation with them. It was the most amazing experience of my whole trip to Nicaragua. I was able to connect with these men who were suffering under terrible conditions and we spent a good while joking around and getting to know each other. It was such a blessing to me that I can’t describe, but I will never forget it.
Then we were divided up in small groups to live in communities each with our own host families. I was in León , Nicaragua . It was fun to be able to spend time with families and see how they live their lives. They do a lot of sitting around! It was kind of difficult for me to be patient.
I was with a poor family; the pastor, actually, and I don’t have any idea how they are able to support themselves. They get outside help from sponsorships. But a lack of jobs is a problem that many people in Nicaragua are facing. They cannot support themselves because there are no job opportunities available. It’s not that they aren’t willing to work; they don’t have the opportunity to work.
After our home stays we got together again in Granada, which is a beautiful, touristy area of Nicaragua. My favorite part of our stay there was a boat tour that we took of the islands on Lake Nicaragua. We were visited by a wild spider monkey that boarded our boat, looking for food! It was pretty amazing!
Now that I am back in San Jose, I have a couple of days for spring break before our classes begin again. I am using this time to relax and rejuvenate for another hard two weeks of classes before I start my biology classes. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. I really miss everyone a lot and I am especially sad that I am missing my last semester at Greenville. But this is an amazing experience and I am so happy to be here.
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