Come on in Comedor

When traveling to a new country, one of the first things a traveler is interested in is the food. How different is it going to be? What’s a typical  [insert country here] dish? What venue should I try?

There are a few typical Nicaraguan dishes here such as gallo pinto aka rice and beans and nacatamales, a banana leaf dish; however, considering the majority of the population is not exceedingly wealthy, it is important to note how the lower half of society gets their nutrition.

Throughout Nicaragua, there are a series of feeding programs. Each missions house, service organization, and church basically feeds the poor some day a week.  Just like a homeless shelter in the United States, a Comedor, or dining hall, in Nicaragua includes feeding masses of people.  The majority of feeding programs in Nicaragua that I have personally observed are aimed towards the nutrition of children which in truth is a crucial need.

Each Tuesday and Thursday, Manna Project gathers at El Farito, a school room in the neighborhood of Cedro Gallan, to feed anywhere from about 40 to 60 infants to teenagers. They form a line outside the school while volunteers inside prepare plates of rice, tortilla, chicken, and vegetables paired with juice. Five at a time, they enter the room, wash their hands, and are seated. A prayer is then said and food is passed out.

It is a very simple thing to do.

These children are still young enough to not covet great amounts of food but instead are genuinely thankful for what they are provided. A simple meal and a willingness to give them a plate is all it takes.

I have been working in Cedro Gallan for the past two weeks, and it was on this day when I worked in the Comedor that the children who I have been teaching and serving, came up to me and said “Thank You Cassandra,“ calling me by name and being so intensely appreciative that they could put their spoon into a full plate of food and feel nourished for the rest of the day.

Late this afternoon when I was on a bus in downtown Managua, a man hopped on the bus selling vitamins. He marketed white and red pills claiming that one was full of Vit B and would cure your insomnia and the other was going to clean your blood.  I was not really surprised to see this man on the bus so much as I was interested to see who his buyers were.

Clearly, people care about their health and well being here but I sense that most, simply have not been educated about how to take care of themselves and eat nutritional foods.

I cannot wait for the next Tuesday when I can serve up another plate of food and ensure that little Armando and young Diana get a good lunch for the day.