Intern Spotlight: Returning to Nicaragua

When I visited Nicaragua two years ago for a short two weeks, I knew immediately that I had to return. At the time, I was visiting my sister who was a program director for Manna Project International. While she was very busy running her own programs, I had the pleasure to shadow Javier Silva, now Executive Director of Lacrosse the Nations and see what lacrosse looked like in Nicaragua. I had just graduated high school and was committed to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Richmond, so I was extremely eager to see what the game of lacrosse looked like abroad and hopefully spread my knowledge and love for the game to others.

I was able to attend all of the LTN practices, mostly helping out at Chiquilistagua practices in the morning, where I participated in all of the gym classes and at Club Hope where I played in drills and games with the kids. Despite taking Spanish classes throughout high school, it was a little difficult to communicate. However, I found the language barrier was not a problem when I was playing. I had no idea what to expect when arriving to Nicaragua, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the kids were extremely talented. Although there was limited equipment, the kids showed up every day eager to learn and always playing their hardest.

Fast forward two years later, I feel so incredibly grateful to return for the month as an intern for LTN and MPI and continue to build the relationships I made two years ago. Roberto was among one of the kids that I met during my initial visit and was excited to be reunited with. I admired him for his smart, unselfish play, and was excited to see how much he has improved. With limited Spanish two years ago, we formed our relationship through playing together. Since my Spanish has improved, I am able to coach him and give him tips. He is now in the advanced group of Club Hope, and admired by all the younger players.

While my first experience in Nicaragua was certainly eye opening, the progression of the lacrosse programs has been by far the best part of my experience here thus far. Although it has been amazing to see how the fields, equipment, and programs have improved, the most rewarding part has been able to see how much the players skills have progressed and the new relationships I have been able to create. To see the way lacrosse has impacted these kids lives over the years, the relationships and friendships that they have made, and to see that their love for the game is still alive and stronger than ever, makes me extremely grateful to be apart of LTN.

Julie helping teach the basics of dodging alongside Coach Maycol during Club Hope's beginner practice.

Two Years in Nica

by Daniel Lewis, Senior Program Director (Nicaragua)

Two years is a long time. When our Executive Director, Javier, asked me to write about my last two years with Lacrosse the Nations (LtN), I really had no idea even where to start. LtN has impacted me so much and in such different ways that I can’t do it justice in a short blog, but I’ll try to hit the main points.
 
First, I would like to say a sincere thank you to everyone who supported me, donated, or volunteered with LtN in the past two years. For me LtN is a special kind of organization because of the people involved. From the chairman of the board down to a volunteer who could only come to a practice or two, every single person I’ve met through LtN has bought in to our mission and culture as an organization. That’s a community that I’m proud and thankful to be a part of.
 
I probably have a story about almost every LtN student-athlete in Nicaragua, so I can’t pick just one for this blog. I will say that it has been a privilege to teach and coach these young people. I truly hope that lacrosse has brought them the same joy it has given me, and that my coaching has taught some of the same lessons that I learned while playing.

I have changed immensely as a person in the past two years, but the two most important lessons I’ve learned are to keep perspective and how to let go. I sometimes lost sight of the long term goals and progress we were making in the day to day grind. I could find myself focusing on the fact that today’s practice wasn’t really better than yesterday’s and forgetting to see how far we’d come. Working with LtN has helped me to look past one bad day or missed expectation. I also learned that sometimes you have to give up control. Training and shifting responsibility to lead practice to our coaches and LtN Scholars was one of the biggest and most lasting impacts I’ve had, but I’d be lying if I said it was easy to step aside and watch.
 
Finally, I’d like to leave you with a story. A couple of months ago I started going to Club Hope early before practice to play a little goalie (poorly), so some of the kids could practice shooting. That first day Juan Carlos was one of the players. He has, probably, the best shot of anyone on the team, but he still only managed to score on me twice in about fifty shots. Afterwards, I gave Juan a few tips on shooting on a goalie, especially to work on his aim. Bounce shots, shoot low, and aim for corners. When I showed up the following Monday Juan Carlos was waiting, ready to go. I lost track of how many times Juan scored. I’m proud of Juan going home, deliberately practicing without me looking over his shoulder, and coming back measurable improved, but some small part of me feels left behind. I think this embodies my experience these last few weeks in Nicaragua. I’ve spent my time coaching, and now I’m incredibly excited to come back to visit and see how far behind all of Lacrosse the Nations has left me.

A Mother's Day Special

By Brooke Wilson

In honor of Mother’s Day, we wanted to introduce one of our lax moms here in Nicaragua, Doña Bojorge! Doña Bojorge is an extremely involved LtN mother. Not only does she work at LtN’s partner school, Club Hope, she also has six children who play lacrosse in our programs. Doña Bojorge has worked with Club Hope for 11 years. Cooking arguably some of the best food in Villa Guadalupe, Doña Bojorge helps provide meals for the students of the Club as well as for our LtN players before or after practice. This past week, we asked her some questions to get a little more insight into her LtN experience.

How long have your children been involved in LtN?
“We have been with LtN since the beginning,” Doña Bojorge reflected. 

Maria, her third oldest, started playing lacrosse in 2010, Maycol, Roxana, Jonathan and Mauriel started a year later. Allison, her youngest started 2 years ago. After Maycol’s involvement, he became one of LtN’s first scholars. Maycol has been coaching since 2015 in addition to attending school on the weekends to finish his high school degree. 

Do you think lacrosse has had any influence on your children?
“Yes definitely. I have noticed a difference in them around school and in the house, as well. Lacrosse has made them more disciplined, and they have more responsibility now.”

As an LtN mother, what would you say to other mothers with children considering playing lacrosse?
“I would tell others that it is great. It instills discipline in the kids and gives them something to work for.”

Doña Bojorge takes on a motherly role for many members of our LtN family. She is a mother to LtN coaches, veteran players, and beginners. Doña Bojorge has been with LtN since its start, and because of this, has a deep understanding of LtN’s programs and mission. From cooking meals after practice to allowing her children to throw the lacrosse ball around in the front yard with make shift goals and ice cold waters, she is the epitome of a dedicated mother.

As our programs continue building, we have had the chance to involve parents of players more and more. They are an essential part of the sustainability of our programs. Mothers like Doña Bojorge have supported our programs from the ground up and made it possible to expand LtN’s impact and reach. From our LtN families across all our sites, we wish all mothers a Happy Mothers’ Day and thank you for all you do!