Guitar Hero, Por Favor
Our trip started this morning with a visit to the Precario. The Precario is a Nicaraguan-squatters settlement of 3 acres with approximately 2,500 people living there. Of the 2,500 people, over 1,000 of them are children. As we pulled up, the children ran along side our van yelling "Hola, Hola". It was so exciting. They knew that we were there to play with them and they knew that Joy Sheraden, our guide, was with us. Joy's ministry here is laser-focused on the children of the Precario.
As we walked through the pathways of the Precario, I am amazed at what I see. The children have no shoes, their feet are covered in dirt and they walk through the sewage that runs down the dirt pathways. They have no idea that this is something that can hurt them. The families come out of their metal shacks to greet us, so welcoming, I feel right at home. The children are following us to get candy and handmade bracelets that Liz, one of our TNC team members, brought with her. "One for my sister" they said, trying to get more than one.
We continue to walk and meet many friends Joy has made, then, I hear this very familiar sound. Wait a minute; I'm in Costa Rica right, just a self-check. I walk closer and as I look into one of the homes, what do I see? A little girl playing GUITAR HERO! No Way! I couldn't believe my eyes.
Now a great fan of the game, I think, should I go in and ask if I can play? I'm telling ya, I was right at home. I could have sat on the couch and played all day with them. I was singing the songs, in English, watching her hit every note and she was pretty good too. As I moved through the rest of our day, this picture continued to come back into my
thoughts. It may seem like a small thing to some, but I just couldn't process this image. I was in a place that was obviously in need of sanitation, food, personal hygiene, clean water, medical attention and so much more but they are playing Guitar Hero. How does that happen? Wouldn't you take that money and buy food or something that would help better your family?
To my amazement I found out that Guitar Hero isn't just a game for this family. You see, our dear friends in the Precario take full advantage of every opportunity they get to make money. They charge a fee for others to come in and play. It isn't just a game to them, it's another way of supporting there family. I think I'm gonna start charging at my house...I could make a lot of money.
Signing off from Costa Rica, keep on Rockin' GUITAR HERO!
- Nina
