Please donate to my Team Dayā fundraising effort – all funds go directly to building schools. If you are curious about Building Change with Team Dayā, please contact our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen. Our current scheduled 2024 school building dates are: Sunday, March 17, 2024 – Nepal (arrive Kathmandu), Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Senegal (arrive Dakar) and Sunday, December 1, 2024 – Guatemala (arrive Guatemala City).

By Team Dayā member Kristy Quagliariello

I am a firm believer in fate, convinced that every occurrence unfolds for a purpose. My journey began unexpectedly last January at CES when I crossed paths with Team Dayā member Davina Kent. Our connection extended beyond that initial encounter, through LinkedIn. Davina’s recurrent posts about the upcoming Team Dayā expedition to Malawi piqued my interest, leading me to engage with the group’s Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen and express my immediate interest in joining Team Dayā.

Before our departure, I admittedly knew little about rural Nicaragua or its education system. I delved into research, scoured online resources about the community we were about to visit, yet nothing could adequately prepare me for the actual experience.

As our 4x4s rolled into the welcome ceremony, the sight of children eagerly awaiting us with stunning bouquets stirred deep emotions within me, almost akin to the moment when Taylor Swift steps onto a sold-out stadium stage. The overwhelming gratitude enveloped me entirely.

The week spent at Arenales #2 taught me seven invaluable lessons:

1. Human adaptability knows no bounds: While pleasantly surprised by our host family’s accommodations—sleeping on cots with sleeping bags and mosquito nets—I was amazed at how swiftly we adjusted. Towards the week’s end, I found myself acclimatized to our living arrangements and daily commute to the build site. The poor cell service unexpectedly granted me the gift of disconnecting, fostering meaningful connections with our host family, fellow volunteers, children, and the families hosting our team for meals. In our society that emphasizes constant accessibility, this experience of being wholly present, engaging in profound conversations, and enjoying games with the children felt refreshing.
2. True happiness requires far less than we imagine: This manifested repeatedly throughout the week.
   • We don’t need an abundance of screens—TVs, mobiles, iPads, laptops, etc. Only a couple of families in the community owned TVs, yet every evening, several kids and teens congregated at our host family’s place to chat and watch TV. The TV acted as a communal hub, bringing the community together rather than serving as an escape.
   • The children in the community also exemplified this principle—when not aiding in construction, they indulged in activities like soccer, playful hillside adventures, puppy cuddles, and engaging conversations with us. Our final evening was a testament to this spirit as we played Jenga for hours with the host children! 
   • Despite their limited possessions, the families exhibited remarkable generosity.
   • Arenales #2, a 45-minute 4×4 ride from the nearest town, compelled its residents to rely on the land for sustenance. 
   • Simple pleasures like making s’mores or reveling in pinata swings were cherished highlights for the children.
3. Humans are inherently good and inherently helpful: During a night when I fell severely ill, the host father’s genuine concern and assistance reflected a mutual desire to aid each other despite language barriers. His actions conveyed a genuine willingness to reciprocate the help we offered to their community.
4. Education is pivotal in rural communities: Numerous instances underscored the transformative potential of the school for the community’s advancement. During the covenant signing, many volunteers had to use a thumbprint, symbolizing illiteracy, underscoring the significance of the school in breaking this cycle. Engaging in a gender discussion with female members revealed insights into issues like teen pregnancy, often stemming from limited education and opportunities. While speaking with the children, I learned they harbored significant aspirations – to become doctors, teachers, and more. The local school represents their initial stride towards realizing these dreams. Even from an adult perspective, the coffee tour exposed the exploitation faced by coffee farmers due to limited education and financial resources.
5. Women in rural Nicaragua lead lives vastly different from mine: Their daily routines, predominantly centered on family care and domestic chores, starkly contrasted with my own life experiences. Employment opportunities for women outside their homes are exceptionally rare.
6. Universal parental aspirations: I interacted with numerous families throughout the week, witnessing their excitement for the school project. I encountered many children separated from their parents due to a program between the US and Nicaragua, aimed at ensuring a better future by working abroad and sending money back home. Such sacrifices were abundant during my stay.
7. Embrace curiosity: Despite language barriers (overcome with help from the translators at Team Dayā’s partner buildOn), engaging with community members led to enriching conversations—a highlight of the week. Interactions ranged from discussions about Paw Patrol and Bad Bunny with kids to exploring Christmas traditions and agricultural practices with adults, fostering a deeper understanding of their lives.

There exist numerous other instances that profoundly impacted me during the week. But mainly it was the people; the children who became my fan club throughout the week. It’s astounding how, within a mere five days, one can forge such a deep connection with a community and its people. I frequently find myself reminiscing about the children and monitoring the progress of the school’s development. My pride for Arenales #2 and its inhabitants are immeasurable.For those seeking involvement, whether through direct volunteering with Team Dayā or supporting our fundraising endeavors, I wholeheartedly encourage you to reach out to our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen.

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Please donate to my Team Dayā fundraising effort – all funds go directly to building schools. If you are curious about Building Change with Team Dayā, please contact our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen. Our current scheduled 2024 school building dates are: Sunday, March 17, 2024 – Nepal (arrive Kathmandu), Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Senegal (arrive Dakar) and Sunday, December 1, 2024 – Guatemala (arrive Guatemala City).