Chaos

This week we've been working in the mornings with various PE classes at elementary schools around Granada. Different schools have different class sizes and spaces to work with, so designing a consistent program is virtually impossible. Instead, we set our expectations as "survival" and have tried to keep in mind that our larger goal is to inspire girls to come to our weekend clinics and camp. Despite our growing knowledge of what works and what doesn't in this culture with these children, we attempted to play a game we named "Chaos." The game basically involved all of the kids (50) and all of the balls (15). Using their dribbling, shielding, and defending skills, the kids were supposed to acquire and keep a ball in their possession for a minute. Whomever was left ball-less at the end of the minute would have to do star-jumps. Five seconds after blowing the whistle to start, we knew it was a mistake. The boys, foaming at the mouth to have a chance to be in a game with 15 balls, hadn't heard a word we'd said about the point of the game and proceeded to wind up an kick the balls as hard as they could....directly into everyone else. Ten seconds into the game a girl was knocked off her feet by a ball to the face. It turns out that her mom works at the school and witnessed the entire thing, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES? Game over.

Despite the rocky start, we've recovered some dignity and have managed to have some success in the schools. Our first girls-only clinic will be this Saturday and we're expecting a good turnout based on the feedback we've gotten so far.

A reporter from the national newspaper here came down to watch our session with the Granada girls team yesterday, and should be publishing an article about the team and our project sometime next week. In true soccer-junkie style, by the end of practice the reporter had rolled up her pants, borrowed some cleats, and jumped into our 9v9 scrimmage. She told us a bit more about the state of women's soccer in Nicaragua and that the U-20 national team had recently qualified for the World Cup qualifier (that's right, qualified for the qualifier) in Chile next month. She said we could probably have a chance to work with them in the next couple of weeks, and we are anxious to see the best of the best, to gain a better understanding of the Nicaraguan style and level. Not surprising, when we asked how those girls got to where they are she replied "playing with boys" reiterating that there aren't opportunities for girls, especially young girls, to compete.

In closing for today, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to mention, the picture of the tractor/train above needs some explanation. So far as we can tell, it's only purpose is to give leisure rides around town to those who are interested. It's free, and surprisingly un-touristy. Local Nicaraguans just hop on to the brightly painted, slow-moving tractor and listen to obnoxiously loud music while cruising around town. The music selection is priceless...the other day it was blasting "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston...in English. The spanish version of the song is much slower and mellow, and thus totally inappropriate for the party wagon.