FUNARTE

I have been working here for a while now and haven´t really introduced any one of my wonderful coworkers. I´m just going to briefly describe the staff of FUNARTE (aka the most inspirational people ever.)

Rafa- He was the first one we met. He is the quintessential joker. You ask him how to say something in Spanish and he tells you the wrong word so you can look like a baffling idiot infront of your bosses. Thats his deal. His deal is also being a male example to the kids he teaches. He is such a good teacher. He gets right in there with the kids and they love him. As do I.

Jafeth- Oh Jafeth. The staff here call him a child of 30 years old and it is so true. He´s the first to borrow one of the kids bicycle´s and ride it all around the art class being most disruptive. He is so welcoming though, never makes you feel weird for not understanding the language. I am so greatful for him here.

Manuel - If Rafa´s the joker and Jafeth´s the kid at heart, Manuel is the monkey. You will often find this amazingly fit 30 year old climbing something unclimbable, walking on his hands, or outrunning the kids in an intense game of soccer. He is a riot. Lovable and unstoppable.

Katy- Katy has the most fun with my name, every time she says it she cracks up and comes up with a million variations, ¨Shevonny, Shabonny, Shabonbonbon, CHEVVVVonnn..¨ It goes on for what seems to be forever.. She is my mentor and has taught me the most in terms of painting techniques. She never holds back if she doesnt like something I´ve done, she also is very constructive and I´ve learned a tonne from her.

Tania- Tania is a sweetheart, when she heard about my cousin she came right up to me and told me that her sister died last year from Leukemia while she was studying in Ireland. She just looked at me and we understood eachother. Shes got a lot of strength and poise for such a petite chica.

These are the instructors I work with the most on a day to day basis. There are also many influential volunteers like Nadine from Germany and Lena from Germany or some other regulars to FUNARTE from Esteli like Freddy (Jafeth´s nephew who takes after him alot...) Carlos (a quiet and timid teddy bear) and Tamara (you´ll always find her singing her heart out to the car radio, we have a lot in common...)

Hope that helps give you a better image of the people I work with here everyday. I am sooo lucky to have met these people, they are ridiculously amazing.

till the next time,
xo
S