Things are finally starting to come together. I recently received an email from Rebecca Mancini who told me that I can volunteer in Maurita's Kitchen on Wednesdays sometime between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm. I am definitely super excited about this - MK was my #1 choice for volunteering. I won't be able to start until next week though so I will have to wait until then but I know that I will enjoy my time there when I am able to start.

On Friday, January 23rd, I gave my fundraising presentation to the Senior Class of Star Academy. They seemed very interested in the trip and were already coming up with creative fundraising ideas as soon as I was done my presentation. Some of their ideas included a bake sale (yum!) and a dress down day (the school wears uniforms). Like I told them, any events that happen on a Friday I will try to come to in order to show my support for their endeavours.

I also received another $150.00 this weekend, bringing my grand fundraising total to $850.00 of $2,000.00. Certainly not a bad place to be, but I obviously still need to raise another $1,150.00 - a whopping sum at this point. Fundraising is quite stressful and I'm starting to feel as though I'm running out of time and places to ask. I realize I have until April however...

On the brighter side, the days are slowly dwindling until I leave for Esteli! Day by day it diminishes. As of this point its about 100 days or so until departure - scary and exciting, far away but fast approaching all at the same time.

But for now, in the words of my fellow Nicaraguian traveller, Jess

"Peace"