DAY 9: Uraccan University

We had an early dinner at our hotel, and then took taxis over to the "campus" of Uraccan University in downtown Rosita. It turned out to be a two-room building with an outhouse beside it. Despite its modest size, this university has been turning out students for over a dozen years, with degrees in education, business administration, community development, and bi-cultural studies. It is part of a network of post-secondary institutions in eastern Nicaragua, with this one focusing on the needs of the Mayagna peopleWe were welcomed by the University's Director, Mrs. Verónica Valdivia, and a group of Miskito and Mayagna students. We gave them a brief presentation about where we are from etc, and then we got into a long evening of cultural exchanges. We performed our usual array of songs and dances, and they shared their songs, dances, food, and drinks with us in return.Charmaine (left) and Samantha throat singing.These students sang for us the anthem that was associated with the Sandinista's world-renown literacy campaign, which took place after they gained power in 1979.These students performed some traditional Nicaraguan dances from the Pacific region of the country.Samantha and Lucy took some dance lessons from three of the university students.Robby, Randy and Nuqinga were enticed to be a part of a dance by some young women wearing cocoa leaves.Before leaving, everyone took time to celebrate both our host Lillian's and Randy's birthdays.(which is tomorrow). It was a lovely evening, and everyone left feeling very satisfied.