We began with a "J" term program out of Williams College, Massechusetts.

This experience provides an opportunity to create a joint delegation of students from Williams College and Nicaragua. We had 12 students from Williams, 8 from Nicaragua, and a great team including Rick Spalding, Chaplain from Williams and 5 from the AKF School team. Before bringing the two cultures together the students from Williams lived together for three days at the Kairos Center, strengthening their relationships and learning about the shared history between Nicargua and the United States. The mixed delegation was a tapestry of cultures, religions, and personalities rich in diversity and creativity. Early on they named themselves "Amistad sin Fronteras", Friendship without borders.

Williams College

January 5 29, 2012

The delegation Friendship without Borders began their experience of living and working together, sharing cultures and knowledge, and in that way getting to know one another, at the Callie Williams AKF Farm School.

The students left their mark with painted murals as well as strengthened frienships with the team at the Farm School. They shared the dances of their different traditions as well as the histories and realities of their lives.

The students explored Liberation Theology with the Faculty of Theology from the Interfaith Center for Theological and Social Studies, CIEETS
Everyone became a theologian in an interchange where they studied a bilblical text together using the methodology of to see, to judge or analyze, and to act.

Learning to work the clay with their hands and living with the families of the women potters in the community of El Ojoche, Somotillo.

Participating in the community clean up day and repairing the road with women, men and youth from El Ojoche.

Wow, what an organized community, so clean and healthy, so happy! We were surprised by their wisdom and generosity!
Reflection by students from the delegation Friendship without Borders.

Playing with the children, sharing learnings and gratitude with the community of El Ojoche.

Sharing of experiences with the womens cooperative of the community.

Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Somotillo

Living with families in the community and playing with the children.

Students from Friendship without Borders

Shared the journey while on retreat on the beach at Poneloya, in the Callie Williams AKF Farm School, living with families in two rural communities and one urban, in dance classes, the rivers that run through the villages, and the mountains of Esteli and Matagalpa.

Sharing with Don Alberto, sculpturist of the rocks and man of gratitude and joy in the mountains of Esteli.

Encounter with Maria Lopez Vigil, Theologian of Liberation, political analist, historian and writer, creative, and outrageous!

She challenged us to be transformed!

Women of Peace, United Methodist Church, Los Altos, California

January 13 23, 2012 They began to get to know Nicaragua through the AKF team and the Centro Kairs.

Then Women of Peace went to Matagalpa to learn spanish with the women of Matagalpa Tours, and to learn about life from the women at the Casa Materna.

Bird Watchers Delegation

February 29 March 9, 2012

AKF Callie Williams Farm School, Mateare

Reserva Silvestre Montibelli

Reserva el Jaguar, Jinotega

And while the birds were sleeping, the delegation took time to learn to weave with the womens cooperative of Molino Norte, Matagalpa. Their presence and purchases supported fair trade with artesans throughout Nicaragua.

Reserva el Jaguar, Jinotega

Reserva el Jaguar, Jinotega