ICS blog

For some people, an extended trip abroad can result in a dramatic ‘finding yourself’, eureka-moment. Having met many a traveller who returns from backpacking and proclaims to have done just that, I was keen not to get caught up in the idea of my ICS placement in Honduras being life changing. However, having completed my three-month placement, I can confirm that ICS is a dramatic change from your normal everyday life in the UK and it does pose the possibility of experiencing life changing moments.

When our group first arrived in Parcila and discussed what skills we had that we wanted to teach each other in a weekly learning session, everyone was quite apprehensive and many of us claimed to have no special skills. Now it is week eight and we are squeezing in two sessions a week because there are so many cool things that people have discovered that they can do and want to share. 

Empezamos una semana muy entusiasmaste con nuevas energías y nuevas metas por lograr muy rápido y en corto tiempo. Ha sido un tiempo muy lluvioso con muchas descargas eléctricas los voluntarios británicos se han sentido un poco muy sorprendidos por el mucho lodo en la comunidad. Ha sido un reto para ellos ya que están acostumbrados a su país, donde no hay lodo porque todo esta pavimentado.

Known as the beautiful land of lakes and volcanos, one could be forgiven for thinking that Nicaragua might be free from water related problems. But having visited the heavily polluted Lake Managua at the start of our cycle, supposedly full of ‘three eyed mutated fish’, it is clear that this is not the case. In spite of a vast quantity of water, very little is safe for consumption or even accessible, leaving roughly 900 thousand Nicaraguans without drinkable water. 

Quiero hablar un poco sobre mi experiencia con Progressio. Realmente me ha gustado mucho el haber sido parte de Progressio ICS porque he aprendido muchas cosas que antes no sabía. Desde el primer día que tuvimos nuestro primer viaje a Estelí para conocernos como grupo tanto nosotros de la comunidad del Bramadero, conocimos a los voluntarios de la comunidad de Parcila.

You’re staring down your last ten days in El Bramadero and the last two months have been eye-opening to say the least. In true Progressio style it is now time for some reflection. 

When we first came here (back in July) we really could sense and point out the cultural differences between the UK and El Salvador. It is fascinating how a different part of the world has completely different ways of doing things, from hanging off the back of trucks to saying “Buenas” to anyone and everyone. While everyone in England wouldn’t even think about it, neither would they walk along the street and smile saying hello to everyone - it’s practically unheard of.

I think many people, including myself, who live in the developing world are secluded from the reality we face worldwide regarding education and literacy. Although I am aware of the huge educational inequalities worldwide, it is difficult to apprehend the extent to which this affects so many lives. So let’s outline the situation currently. 

In my last blog, I discussed the most reflecting part of the ICS placement. But in this blog, I will discuss something very different and important.

The life you are born into is just pure luck. This is something I have been aware of for a long time, most likely for as long as my knowledge of poverty and inequality. The lottery of where you a born, which country, social class, ethnic background, gender, neighbourhood and wealth all in turn have some effect on your future opportunities and the life you will lead. This is the cold truth of the world we live in. However, I have been bought up to believe education is the one factor that can change our future.