a>
On my own, I probably completely finished a five-by-eight-foot wall over the course of the whole day, which is very little compared to how much wall a native Nicaraguan worker could do in one day. We were also told that the work we did would probably receive about 80 cordobas. That's just a little more than $4 for a whole day's work.
While the work was difficult and I was covered in cement, I was really glad that we spent the last day working like we did. I had had this experience the last time I was in Nicaragua, but I think I had forgotten the appreciation I had for how hard it is to make a living here. I can't imagine doing the work we did today every day for my entire life for a measly $4 a day. And I'm lucky, because I will probably never have to in my life. But just knowing that, I feel, is enough to remind me how important it is to be thankful for the things I do have and the choices I am able to make.
This is probably the renewed sentiment I feel as I get ready to leave this beautiful country - I got lucky being born into the life I have but being lucky requires me to have responsibility for helping others who weren't quite as lucky. Tonight, during our group processing, I shared with the group how much I felt re-inspired being back here and how I have a renewed sense of passion for returning to the U.S. and making my life a representation of what I believe and working my hardest to help those who I can.
