Fair Play in a Free Trade Zone: Zona Franca Masili

International Women's Factory New Life, originally named is a women's clothing cooperative was formed 11 years ago, as women in a community came together to face an traumatic experience. Opportunities were scarce, and people needed to find an way to obtain a living for themselves along with their families.

The women were assisted by a foundation to help them buy the land, to create a new business their new business was created on. It took two years of construction to build Nueva Vida, which later was renamed to Zona Franca Masili in 2005. In the duration of that time period, their were only 14 women completing the future clothing store along with no salary being distributed. As time continued, the women were able to learn and obtain training skills with the use of knowledge of the equipment.

Now, the mission of the women's cooperative is to create awareness of discrimination and strictness in the work environment. Products produced from Zona Franca Masili sell in Nicaragua but the majority in the United States, Canada and Germany. In a significant good year, the company is able to sale 15,000 to 20,000 pieces of material. On the other hand, in a year they may not have as much potential only sales 3,000 to 4,000 pieces. Due to the Free Trade Zone, this fair trade company is located in, the limited capacity of goods to sale is 40,000.

It was an unique experience to see several women coming together to create an substantial work environment in a time period, where sexism is still present. Unfortunately, the women were taught that they were meant to be care-takers of the home instead of obtaining a job in the work force. These women showed an great source of strength with the creation of a new business for their community and families.

Mi Casa fuera de Mi Casa

By: Leah McClish 

The experience of staying with families within their community was an opportunity of a lifetime. The community was welcoming and friendly to every single one of us. My home-stay experience was difficult to handle at first, what with outdoor bathrooms, no contact with the outside world (no phone service or internet), no television, minimal lights, and my minimal Spanish... but what made it easier for me was when my host mother gave me and another delegate her two sons' room to sleep in. Despite that her house has two bedrooms for five people, it was just heart-wrenching for me to see her give up the small amount of things she had for two individuals she barely knew. Throughout the experience, my host-mother sincerely wanted to spend time with us, to get to know us, and to share her personal experience with us. She even shared that we were the most wonderful part of her day. For a woman I barely knew to share her home and feelings was remarkable. 

As the weekend continued, I was able to see how the community grew to have so much love, respect, and warmth toward one another and amongst their families was beautiful to see. The community shared their love through exchanging their cultural dances and with religious ceremonies. The faith and hope that sparkled through their eyes despite the community's struggles was a vision that will always be in my mind. 

In the end, my host family will always remain in my heart. I feel that they not only added to my experience in Nicaragua but also showed me how to be a better human being. 

Hasta Miercoles!

Today we will be leaving to go to our homestays in a mountain village.  We will be staying in Matagalpa for two nights and three days with families that are part of the Witness for Peace program. Then we will be going to Los Quinchos to spend time with the kids in the program.  Unfortunately we will not have Internet access during this time and will not be able to update our blog.  We will post as soon as we return on Wednesday.  Until then, hasta luego!

"Si el dolor puede cambiar la vida de la persona, merece la pena todo el sufrimiento"

By: Stephanie D

Hola! Soon we'll be off to the mountains to complete our home stays! I'm so excited to see what life will be like once I begin to live with my new family! If its anything like the rest of the delegation has been, it will be amazing. It has been a very emotional couple of days, but some one in particular made me realize something I have been missing.
We visited a little village in Matagalpe, where we met Mrs Maria Cruz. Mrs Maria is a mochilla worker in a  "Free Trade" Zone. She explained to us her hard working conditions, which included beginning work at 6:45am, and ended, on the busiest of days, as late as midnight. She made about five American dollars a day, and would only receive a 20-minute lunch break, which may be her only meal of the day, depending on the work day's duties.
As Mrs Maria spoke, she continually made eye contact with me, and even though my Spanish is far from the best, I felt as if I understood every word. We asked Mrs Maria if she was content with her job, and she answered with a smile, "No, but I do it for my children". I felt like I have seen that smile before, and after a few teary moments of thought, it hit me. That was the same smile on my mother and father's face when they talk about what they do for me and my sister.
When Mrs Maria had finished, I raised my hand to tell speak. I told her, "Mrs Maria, you remind me of my own mother, and I need to tell you that your children appreciate everything you do, everyday. And we appreciate everything you do." And I promised myself the first thing I will do when I get home is thank my parents. Dry eyes started tearing all around the room as we said our goodbyes to Mrs Maria and I gave her a hug.
She helped me realize what I was missing was my appreciation. So a quick blog shout out, Mom and Dad (and Maureen and Dennis :) ) if you are reading this, THANK YOU. I know at times it gets very hard to keep going to support our families, but not a day goes by that I don't appreciate everything you do for me and my sister. What we have now is more than what we'll ever need, and that's our love for one another. Thanks to the beautiful, inspiring women I have met on thus far on this delegation, I look at the world in a whole new way.
Off to the mountains! Bye Bye for now :)

Today.

By Lisa Monetti 

     Today we visited a public hospital and it was so completely different from any hospital in the US. When we travelled through the halls for our short tour, we were able to look right into the rooms and see all the patients. Each room held around seven patients and we learned that the hospital turns away no one, so sometimes they are forced to share beds. Walking through the hospital I felt more like I was intruding into someone’s home rather than taking a tour of a hospital. Our hospitals at home are a bright white, overly clean, and all the patients get privacy. Here, the building was dark and you could tell they just weren’t able to keep up with all the patients and also keep the hospital completely sanitized. 

     This was an experience completely different than anything I had experienced and I felt bad for the patients for not getting the care and amenities that patients in America receive. However, I also knew that they were really lucky to be there because there are few hospitals and it isn’t always easy to get to them. But this one did the best it could to help the people of Nicaragua. They offer a guesthouse for visitors to stay as long as they like and that, as well as all the medical services, are completely free to the patients. 

     This was an emotional day for all of us, as you’ll read in the other blog posts, but we’re all having a terrific time. We’re gaining so much from this trip and I think these first hand experiences triumph over any lecture in a class when it comes to getting across the information and we’re really able to understand the way the people here feel and live. 

Podcasts Para La Paz

By: Leah McClish

Today our delegation visited Podcasts For Peace, which is an innovative program established to promote youth empowerment by encouraging positive values within their community in Acahualinca, Managua, Nicaragua. In addition, the mission of Podcasts For Peace promotes social justice through collaborative community engagement. The activities that were included in the program were English, Artensenia and digital art classes along with designated time for homework and reading.

As students it was very heart-felt to see how volunteers along with community members and educators came together to work toward this project for the youth of Acahualinca. The volunteers have been able to receive grants and donations, but are still continuing to build up this project one step at a time. It was admirable to see how these volunteers choose to assist and take action in a community after their previous visit in Nicaragua. Despite the fact that the program is relatively new –only started within in the past eight months -- it has still made an impact on the youth of the community. In conclusion, it was inspiring to see how important and essential it was for these volunteers to give back to this community of youth.

To see more information or ask questions about Podcasts For Peace, please check out the following websites:

-       Website:www.podcastsforpeace.weebly.com

-       Email: podcastsforpeace@gmail.com

Morning person

By: Ally Blumenfeld

I’m someone who can fall asleep practically anywhere and sleep through just about anything.  Last night I fell asleep on a top bunk in a room of four, to the sounds of a city, with what I imagined to be moonlight pouring in through the window.  When I closed my eyes I could have been anywhere.  But then I heard a rooster crowing.

Right… I’m in Nicaragua.

It’s only about a quarter to 9 AM right now, but it already feels like a long morning.  With no watches or alarm clocks, my roommates and played guessing games with the time: one of us waking up at almost 4 ready to shower and two of us popping up at 6 thinking it’s almost time for breakfast.  And I’m not much of a morning person.  As a writer, I used to say I did all my best thinking at night.  During my weeks of winter break before leaving for Nicaragua, I’d sleep in almost every day.  That is, of course, not to say that I don’t appreciate mornings.  When I get the chance, I love watching the sunrise… and I love the stillness of the early morning – feeling like you’re the only person awake on the planet.

So I think it’s time to become a morning person.  It’s a much better time for reflection.  Our first day was a whirlwind of new sights and smells and ideas… by nighttime we were almost too delirious to debrief.  But when I woke up this morning I felt ready to make sense of it all.  I wrote in my journal what I was seeing, thinking and feeling… and as I later stepped out onto the patio, greeted by cool air and a pale blue sky, I felt ready for whatever today brings.

morning view

me and blanca, the resident puppy dog

Jhon, Christine, Lisa and Julie

Two Worlds, One City

By: Stephanie DiCindio

Buenas! We’re finally settled in to our home away from home at CEPAD in Managua. After a very long emotionally challenging day, we all find ourselves reflecting back on the days experiences. In order to understand the socio-economic differences found in Managua, Nicaragua’s capital, we toured two extremes found only blocks from each other. Our first stop, at a hustling market, we were given a scenario in the form of buying food for our “own family”. My family consisted of three other delegate members and myself. We were given the role of a public school teacher who made about 80 cuertavas , equally about $3.75 in US currency. It was my family’s task to go out into the market and buy enough food to supply us with three meals for the day. Walking through the market my mind was being swarmed with different thoughts and my body consumed with different feelings. We stopped in front of a stand selling produce where we met a young boy, who couldn’t be older then 8 or 9 years, who stuck with us throughout the market, telling us where to go if we need direction. His hair was a mess and his clothes all dirty, but he continued to walk around with the little charisma he had left in him. The smells of fish, sewage, seed, and oils filled my nostrils as I walked around. It was difficult to see the conditions the food was being sold in, and even harder knowing that in this instance, this was the only place I could get food for “my family”. After a lot of thought and bargaining we made out ok, with four small potatoes, three eggs, ten cuertavas worth of cooking oil in a plastic bag, tomatoes, and a pound of rice and another of beans. What a culture shock it was to walk out of there with the little food we had, knowing that almost all the people back in the market, would be going home with half of that.

A few miles up the street we pulled in front of a gigantic shopping mall, full of Lacoste, Under Armour, Nike, and Steve Madden stores. Every time you turned around there was a place to buy something to eat or drink. A cup of coffee in the mall had cost the same as my three meals we had purchased earlier in the day. The individuals shopping were adorned with their expensive jewelry, elegant makeup, and their clean appearances. I was shocked. How could a couple miles bring about such a change in scenery. I honestly felt out of place walking through the mall after being in the market. Instead of seeing children begging for money, they were begging for another ride on the toy trains. In one day, I cannot believe all that I have seen and witnessed. All I wanted all day was to share this with my family and friends. It was unbelievable, and what was even more unbelievable, was that we were in only in Nica for just a few hours, and our lives have already changed.

Until next time, Adios mi amores !

The Beginning

By: Julie Mika

Coffee ran through my veins as my excitement began to heighten. Arriving at the airport in the freezing cold to embark on this journey was the beginning of this challenge. Today was my first time flying, I was surprisingly more excited then nervous. After checking our luggage we boarded our first connecting flight from Newark to Houston. The plane ride went well, and I was amazed at how much time went by from initially becoming part of the delegation to actually being on the plane and leaving, it was surreal. After landing in Houston, we hurried over to the next gate to finally board to Managua! Everyone was excited and anxious to arrive. However, when we got there, my luggage was still in Houston. I knew this delegation would be a personal challenge, but jeeze talk about unexpected! 

No time to worry about that though, because we were quickly boarding the bus to our first destination in Nicaragua for lunch at Parque Tiscapa and a visit to the Sandino Museum and Somoza Nights of Torture Exhibit. The museum and exhibit was an eye opener to history of the people of Nicaragua and the adventures left to come. 

Meet the Professor: Jhon Velasco

A consistent theme in my career has been the vision, creation and implementation of new and innovative projects.  Unique to the Montclair State University community and to the design of such a project, this annual learning delegation focuses on the issues of social injustice along with understanding the public health, political, economic and social disparities between developing countries and the United States. 

One of the many goals of Team Nica is to create social, political and conscious awareness through education and activism.   This year Team Nica is being offered as a course for credit project with the focus on public health and education, through the Health and Nutrition Sciences Department.

I encourage you to please follow the journey of these amazing 12 Montclair State University students.

Meet the Delegates: Alyssa Joseph

Hi! My name is Alyssa Joseph, I am a senior at Montclair State University pursuing a major in public health. I am very interested in international public health and how the health care systems of various countries. I am hoping to learn as much as I can and have new an exciting experiences. I have great expectations for this trip and am looking forward to the adventure. I hope to one day incorporate my interest in epidemiology and global health into my career.

Meet the Delegates: Andriana Herrera

Hey Everyone! My name is Andriana Herrera and I am in my second year of Grad school, majoring in Public Health. I was inspired to join this delegation after I met an advocate of health from Nicaragua; her experience was transcending and completely moving. I am embarking on this journey to learn about the issues that a neighboring country is presented with everyday, and how much of their problems are as a result of US policies. As a Public Health advocate, I am very interested in this country's social, political, economic, and health policies, which regretfully keeps this country in poverty with little hope for a better tomorrow. Finally, this trip will widen my horizon and allow me to help/ touch someone’s life or vice versa… I can’t wait!

Meet the Delegates: Chardonnay Crumpler

Hi! my name is Chardonnay Crumpler and I am a senior at MSU. My major is Communication Studies with a concentration in Organizational Communication and my minor is International Studies. Upon fist hearing about Team Nica I knew this was something I had to be part of and I am glad and eager to begin the second phase of this life changing experience. I've always wanted to create change and give back to those less fortunate and I believe this delegation will help me think outside the box, increase my global awareness, and help me become a better citizen.

Meet the Delegates: Christine Iturrey

My name is Christine Iturrey. After many years of soul searching I have come to believe that a life of service is a life worth living. For the past three years I have been volunteering within the Bronx, NY community regarding drug addiction education and the utilization of available resources. I am currently a junior here at MSU majoring in Sociology with a double minor encompassing both International Studies and Sculpture. I would like to apply my studies to a career in Human Rights, helping less privileged individuals around the world achieve freedom from oppression, racism, sexism, and classism. I hope to bring back from this experience a deeper knowledge of the issues facing developing countries in order to have the ability to implement projects here in the United States that will create awareness and change.

Meet the Delegates: Daniella DiMarco

Hola! My name is Daniella DiMarco and I’m a senior at Montclair State University.  I am studying mathematics education, were I plan on becoming a teacher in a middle school setting.  I am grateful that I have the opportunity to experience this learning delegation in Nicaragua.  I hope to gain a better understanding about their culture, economic struggles, and their care for nature.  I believe that this delegation will give me an opportunity to grow as a person through this experience, create more goals and ambitions for myself from the amazing people I will meet.  I would like to take this delegation and educate my children by being appreciated of their surrounds and life. Adios!

Meet the Delegates: Lisa Monetti

My name is Lisa Monetti and I’m a sophomore at MSU. I’m majoring in Business with a concentration in Tourism and a minor in Latin American studies. I love to travel and experience new cultures first hand and one day I hope to work in the sustainable/ eco-tourism industry in Latin America. I’m on this delegation to learn more about myself and the world, but also to have a great time with some really awesome people! I think this trip will be a great way for all of us to experience something completely new and foreign, and I know we’re all going to grow tremendously from it and share our journeys with all our loved ones back home, but also create unforgettable memories together. Adios!

Meet the Delegates: Stephanie DiCindio

Hola! My name is Stephanie DiCindio and I am a junior Psychology major with a minor in Leadership through Civic Engagement and another in Justice and Families at Montclair State. After learning about Team Nicaragua from a friend and former Bonner Leader, I thought it would be such a priveligde to be apart of such a life changing experience to better understand the country’s economics, politics, and most importantly, education and health-related challenges found in Nicaragua.

Meet the Delegates: Alyssa Stokes

My name is Alyssa Stokes and I am a senior at Montclair State University. Health Education with a concentration in Public Health is my area of study and I was eager to be a part of Team NICA 2012 because I wanted to get an unrefined experience and learn what people in underdeveloped countries go through to get the necessities that Americans take for granted. While in Nicaragua I wish to learn about the social, political, economic, and health care policies, both domestic and foreign, that keep the citizens of countries like Nicaragua in poverty without any hope for prosperity.  While in Nicaragua I wish to exercise my passion for Health Education while empowering the youth of Nicaragua about sex, sexuality, and reproductive rights.  Taking this trip to Nicaragua will help me discover what my contribution as a World Citizen will be in my occupational future.

Meet the Delegates: Julie Mika

My name is Julie Mika. I am from Wallington New Jersey and I am currently a sophomore at MSU. I am studying history and have ambitions to become a high school history teacher. I would like to become more educated through my experiences in college to have a broader sense of global awareness. Through my participation in Team Nicaragua 2012 I am striving to challenge myself to discover new things about Nicaragua, the United States, and the world in general with this unique opportunity.

Meet the Delegates: Ally Blumenfeld

I'm Ally and I'm a senior graduating with an English major and theatre minor.  Being a part of Team Nicaragua has been my dream ever since I first learned about the delegation as a freshman.  Through my on-campus work at both the Women's Center and the Global Education Center, I've become passionate about women's health and rights, social justice, and international education.  I spent my junior year in London, England, where I became interested in studying anthropology, understanding global issues, and creating theatre for change.  I am currently collaborating on a performance piece about fair trade and related social issues and hope to use my experience in Nicaragua to inform my work on this project.  I am super grateful to have this opportunity to be educated, and to then be able put my passion for social change into action.  I'm beyond excited to see where this experience takes all of us, and I plan to make every minute of it count.

Meet the Delegates: Michael Krol

Hi my name is Michael Krol. I am a senior here at Montclair State University and will be graduating this May with my degree in Health and Physical Education. Following this I will be attending grad school and major in Sports Administration and Coaching. 

My reason for joining this delegation is to broaden my horizon on how health related issues are dealt with in developing countries. Hopefully it will be a life changing trip and something I will learn from the rest of my life!

Meet the Delegates: Leah McClish

My name is Leah McClish and I am currently a Senior at Montclair State University majoring in Business Administration with a double concentration in International Business and Management. I'm going to Nicaragua for this delegation because I wanted to experience change and further understand the right steps to take to encourage that change within in community along with others.  
By traveling to Nicaragua, I will be given the chance to step outside my comfort zone and become more aware of various perspectives. I'm looking forward to grow as a person and bring back change and awareness to different communities.