Ruth Espinoza's sweatshirt, with the definition of "bunny hug" written on it, is just example of way the group from Nicaragua is adapting to life in Prince Albert.
"The sweatshirt was a gift for Christmas. My host family gave it to me ... every day I can use it in the cold," said Ruth Espinoza, the Nicaraguan project leader for the Canada World Youth program.
Program participants, nine from Canada and nine from Nicaragua, arrived in December and are slowly getting used to the weather here.
The 18 recently spent the last three months living and working in a small city called Somoto, Nicaragua, where the temperature doesn't drop below 10 C on the coldest day of the year.
"One of the main obstacles has been the cold." Shayne Lazarowich, the Canadian project supervisor.
At least the participants now are getting skilled at dressing for the weather, said Lazarowich. He teases some of the Nicaraguans, who used to struggle with the order of warm clothes as they tried to do up zippers and buttons on jackets while wearing big mittens.
"Next time we'll start in Nicaragua in June, July and August which will be hot there, and come here in September which will be not as cold," Lazarowich said.
During a press conference Friday, held by the youth, spokesman 18-year-old Alex Johansen, from Tofield, Alberta and 23-year-old Alany Judith Caremo, from Nicaragua, spoke about how difficult it is to overcome the temperature, but that they are still glad to be here.
Jorge Ponce Cabrales, 22, is happy to involved with sports that he consider at home: he especially wants to do more skating and try skiing.
"We're interested in some extracurricular activities in Prince Albert, some things the Nicaraguans might not have the opportunity experience ... snowshoeing and other winter activities," Luke Maloney, 20, from Arden, Ontario.
To make sure all the participants can try different activities, the group is in the process of organizing a fundraising dessert and silent auction night.
The event to be held Feb. 7, at Amy's On Second from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include entertainment, silent auction and raffle.
