UQSUQTUUQ/GJOA HAVEN - Six weeks in Nicaragua turned into a confidence-building trip for a Gjoa Haven youth.

Angus Hiqiniq, a Grade 12 student at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik, went to Esteli, the Central American country's third-largest city, from Feb. 7 to March 27 as part of Canada World Youth, a not-for-profit organization which provides educational programs abroad to youths aged 15 to 29.

Hiqiniq, who was born in Baker Lake then adopted and raised in Gjoa Haven, said he learned a bit of Spanish and a lot about the history of Nicaragua during his six-week stay in the country.

"I wanted to build up my confidence more and I wanted to travel to different countries," he said. "Before I went on the program, I couldn't speak in a large group but when we got back to Gjoa Haven, now I can speak to a whole group."

The 17-year-old said he worked in a number of elementary schools for Funarte, a foundation to support children's art classes, while in Nicaragua.

"We did some paintings and worked with children, prepared the materials, like paintings, paper and paint brushes," he said.

He added he also did three community presentations in the cities of Esteli, Mozonte and Leon.

Hiqiniq said he heard about the trip through Northern Youth Abroad, a program he participated in two years ago. Nicaragua and Peru are the countries available for the six-week program, he added.

Hiqiniq said Nicaragua is a "beautiful country" with an "amazing" environment - lots of trees and very green. He added he is thinking about doing Canada World Youth's six-month program in September after he graduates from high school, and says he is thinking about studying a trade.

"I want to be a carpenter because I've been studying carpentry for 10 years now. My dad is a carpenter so he has been teaching me for 10 years," he said.

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