by Carolyn Burhans
Last spring an article was printed in WAVES that described how Sweetwater Elementary kindergarten teacher, Megan Martens, traveled to the village of La Salinas de Nahualapa, Nicaragua with representatives from Daytona State College’s Teaching Beyond Borders organization. You may recall that Mrs. Martens spearheaded the effort to collect swimsuits, games and classroom materials for the students with which they would work. Their main purpose was to teach the local children academic subjects. In June 2017, Mrs. Martens’ group of certified and pre-service teachers made another trip to La Salinas. Although they returned to the same village and students with school supplies, curriculum, dental hygiene items and swimsuits, this Teaching Beyond Borders delegation observed significant changes in the children. First and foremost, they were welcomed warmly with hugs from bright-eyed, widely smiling children. You see, they recognized the visitors who invested time and energy in them the year before. These children knew what to expect and they could not wait to get started with new learning experiences. Some of the students remembered the English phrases learned the previous summer and were proud to demonstrate this knowledge to their American teachers. According to Megan, the local children were not alone in receiving blessings during their time together. Individual members of the teacher team experienced spiritual breakthroughs as they jelled as a family. The teachers acknowledged that God was actively at work among the adults and some received healing in their lives. When asked, what they needed in the village, the community leader (similar to a mayor without the politics) responded, “It’s all about the children’s education.” Knowing that they were making a profound difference in the lives of these children encouraged the delegation as they left La Salinas with high hopes for an eventful 2018 expedition. Unfortunately, adequate funding for the education program is not available for a return trip this year; however some members of the team plan to visit their beloved family in La Salinas to stay in touch and provide encouragement. Please keep their efforts in your prayers. For the sixth consecutive year, Megan has organized a schoolwide book drive to benefit our local community. This year’s collection of more than 1400 books was delivered to Family Renew and other community organizations for distribution to children here in Central Florida. As the sponsor of the Florida Future Educators club at her school, Mrs. Martens empowered those students to spearhead the project. The FFEA students and Mrs. Martens are excited about the far-reaching impact on our greater Volusia community as well as La Salinas de Nahualapa, Nicaragua.
Megan Martens is married and teaches kindergarten students at Sweetwater Elementary School in Port Orange.