Nicaragua

The Nicaraguan school looks much like any other school.

At the International Christian School in Managua, Nicaragua, where my niece, Natalie, teaches, about 65% of the students are natural Nicaraguan, 25% are North American, and 10% are Asian. Many of the students are children of missionaries, and some have parents who have businesses there. The student body is made up of 3-year-olds through 12th graders.

Natalie with some of the graduating sixth graders

Natalie teaches Sixth graders, and Social Studies to both Fifth and Sixth graders. The Fifth grade teacher teaches Science to both Fifth and Sixth graders.

Many students in Nicaragua go to school from Pre-K through 6th grade. Graduating from 6th grade is a significant accomplishment for Nicaraguan students. They are given a diploma from the school and from the government. For many in the traditional Nicaraguan educational system, that is the end of their formal education. Others may go on for further classes.

Natalie lives in a house with 2 other teachers. They rent the house, and that’s where they have lived in previous school years. The compound also has another small house where an additional teacher lives. They share a car for traveling the five-minute drive to the school, going to church, and trips to the grocery store. Or, there might be a trip to a Pacific beach.

When I asked Natalie how much longer she plans to teach in Nicaragua, she said, “It’s a year by year decision.”  She’ll be leaving next week for the new year of teaching.

When I ask why she so much enjoys doing this work, she says:

I enjoy getting to work with this community of believers. Our school serves many missionary families who are serving the country of Nicaragua. Some are training and mentoring local pastors, some own businesses that employ and train Nicaraguans, and others work with ministries that serve Nicaraguans living in poverty or those with special needs. In addition to teaching the children of missionaries, I also teach Nicaraguan students whose families are influential in the community. Their parents may be pastors or business owners who are in a position of influence. It is our prayer that by helping raise up these students to love and serve Christ, they will be future leaders in creating positive change in their communities and the country of Nicaragua.

Natalie’s favorite Bible verse:

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11 (New International Version)