A letter to Norman from Nicaragua Alum, Dorian

Dorian is 17 years old and participated in Nicaragua’s Lacrosse the Nations programs for 3 consecutive years through high school, namely one of LtN’s highest performing student-athletes within LtN’s Scholar Program - a program wherein 94% of scholarship recipients improved their overall GPA’s from the year prior.

Upon Dorian’s graduation from high school and from LtN’s lacrosse and scholar programs, Dorian was accepted to university in the city of Managua. In his first year in college, Dorian felt the need to reflect on his gratitude and learnings with Country Director, Norman.

Here is his note:

“I am currently in the first year of university, at the National University of Engineering, studying Computer Engineering. Many things have changed since I enrolled in lacrosse, from my personal self to my style and quality of life, things in which Lacrosse was a great help to me, all the teachings I have received with you have helped me grow as a person. Not to mention the great financial help that I got thanks to the scholarship program, my family was positively affected thanks to this great support. I can't forget to talk about the love I received, Lacrosse always treats all students with an exceptional love, a love that feels special to each one of us. And just like you all have given me your care, I have great appreciation and a huge space in my heart or you, the coaches, and my teammates - such is the case that I cannot imagine a life in which I was not in your organization.

“If I had the opportunity to choose again if I want to enter LtN, I would always say yes, every time they asked me. I love you all, each and every one of the members of this great project.

”Lacrosse never discriminated against me, never judged me, never singled me out. Lacrosse taught me that I can be myself, but much better. Lacrosse taught me that we all have a great person inside, but it only takes a little push, a little help to bring out our talent and skills.

“Lacrosse always saw something in me, even when I couldn't see it myself. You helped me see that spark that we all have, you helped me bring it out better than anyone. Lacrosse taught me respect, Lacrosse taught me discretion, Lacrosse taught me camaraderie, Lacrosse taught me to leave everything out there, Lacrosse taught me to apologize and communicate, Lacrosse taught me that I can always give more of myself.

“But the most important thing that Lacrosse taught me was that I was never alone, despite everything that happened, I always knew that I had a helping hand in any of the LtN members, you never turned your back on me, and that's what I most appreciation from you.

“You, my coaches, and my teammates were always willing to support me in whatever I needed, and that has no price. The scholarship program was undoubtedly one of the greatest aid that I have received from you, the mere fact that you paid for all the school supplies was a support that had a great positive impact on me and even on my family. For 3 consecutive years you paid for those expenses, for 3 years you supported my education, and I have made the most of it and I promise that I will not disappoint you in that regard.

“I cannot do more than thank you for everything that you have done for me and even for my family, I would not be where I am I would not be who I am if it had not been for you, I offer you infinite thanks, thousands of thanks for everything, you are one one of the best things that have happened in my entire life, thank you very much.”

— Dorian, 17, LtN Club Hope Alum

The LtN Volunteer Experience

by Javier Silva (LtN Executive Director)

With our programs on hold, we have taken time to reflect on what makes them so impactful, who they benefit, and how. We focus a tremendous amount on the students who come to practice and the local coaches who work with them, and rightfully so – it’s a big part of our work.

However, our mission is fueled by the passion and dedication of young lacrosse players and coaches across the US. The impact they have on our programs is huge. What our young volunteers get out of their time in our programs is massive and we don’t talk about it enough. The list of benefits of volunteering with LtN is long, but I’ve narrowed it down to the biggest three.

1. Cultural Immersion

The time our volunteers spend working at our international sites introduces them to new people, food, experiences, challenges and opportunities. Living for an extended period in a place that is so different from home teaches our volunteers to be open to opposing points of views, to embrace a new way of thinking and to be grateful for what they have. They bring these new perspectives home with them and create a ripple effect much larger than themselves.

2. The Extreme Resume Booster

LtN does not have a large staff so our volunteers are given big time responsibilities. They get to dive head first into various aspects of our organization. Everything from executing and evaluating programs to social media and fundraising strategy. This opportunity offers volunteers valuable insight into the nonprofit world. Volunteering with LtN provides tangible projects volunteers can highlight on their resume that will make them stand out later on in their careers.

3. Personal Discovery

The cornerstone of the volunteer experience is growth. Our volunteers come home knowing much more about themselves as individuals and professionals. They discover strengths and weaknesses. They realize what they like, and what they don’t. Our volunteers come home with a better understanding of how sports can be used to improve the lives of others. The role we play in it and how powerful they are in making that change possible. Ultimately, our volunteers come home a better version of themselves.

A major goal in growing our impact is to offer more opportunities for members of the US lacrosse community to travel, serve and self-discover. As the world slowly begins to reopen, we look forward to welcoming a new group of volunteers to our international sites so they can build off the work of the volunteers who came before them to make our programs stronger. All the while, growing as individuals and finding their place in the world.

Coming Home to Nicaragua

After a two-year hiatus I finally come home to Nicaragua.

What a wild two years it has been. The last time I was in Nicaragua was February 2018 with the Middlebury College Men’s and Women’s lacrosse teams. It was the start of the school year and we spent the week painting the classrooms to get the school looking pretty. The future was bright. 

Then in April a political uprising led to violence and uncertainty. Schools were closed for two+ months. We brought all our US volunteers home and cancelled all service trips for safety concerns.

Since then we’ve opened programs in two new countries and my job has been all about ensuring LtN’s future. My focus was not on day-to-day programs in Nicaragua. That job I left to Norman, our Country Director, and the coaching staff. They needed to step up. They needed to work with limited resources. They needed to succeed without volunteers. 

In my first visit back since the political uprising, I’m happy to say that they did. Our programs are stronger. Attendance at study hall is higher.  Average grades are higher. Our coaching staff run engaging practices that are teaching and developing some incredible young people.

Here are my biggest take aways from my first week back in Nica since 2018.

We play the long game.

Sometimes it’s hard to see the impact because we get bogged down by the day to day grind. Coming back to Nica after two years really showed me how far we’ve come. In the past two years our team of local coaches have taken ownership of the programs and the community has responded. Parents come to watch practice, some even strap on a helmet and mix it up with the kids. That was not seen two years ago. 

This is a result of 11 years of working with the community and building local leaders over time. It reminded me that our work is paying dividends. However, those dividends don’t come after one week or one semester. Our work is long-term and the more we strive to get better every day, the bigger the impact will be in the long-run.

Volunteers are critical to our work.

Our kids love having volunteers at practice. Not just because they have different accents and let them get away with a little more than our coaches do, but because they get to learn new things while making new friends and understanding another culture.

Our coaches love having our volunteers too. They want to improve as coaches so they can challenge our kids on the field as much as they do off the field. Without a consistent flow of US lacrosse players and coaches, our coaches were limited to YouTube and Instagram videos. While those are helpful, having experienced lacrosse players and coaches is the best way to improve. 

To our volunteers - our coaches and kiddos miss you and we hope to start bringing groups back to Nicaragua soon!

With success and growth comes new challenges and opportunities.

Yes, we’ve grown. Our coaching staff is stronger. Parents are more engaged. The schools we work with are committed. The kids have bought in. The challenges I faced as a volunteer in 2012 are not the same that our coaches face today. That is a good thing. 

The challenges we face are a result of the work we’ve put in to achieve our mission. These new challenges will only make our programs stronger once we overcome them. I’m excited to look back on this post in two years to see what new challenges are in front of us and how we were able to overcome the ones we have today.