I, Mark Fister, and my daughters of ages 13 and 12 stayed with a host family for nearly two weeks in La Flor de Cartago.  In such a short time, you would expect friendship but not a feeling of belonging and love, but the latter is what we found without actually expecting it.  To be sure, perhaps our experience was unique, but the people here are truly amazing. 

Their smiles, laughs, and peaceful existence is exactly what my daughters   needed.  I was hoping that my daughters would have an experience that they’ll never forget, and I was not let down.  My daughters learned that the things they have aren’t important, that others are less fortunate, and that finding true friendship doesn’t depend much on communication, only in being with another person. 

Truly, I too learned the same.

Mark, Alaina & Victoria spent two beautiful weeks in La Flor Project. They taught English to the fourth & fifth grade at the elementary school every morning. During the afternoons they took Spanish lessons and later on, they provided English classes to all the kids interested in learning the language in La Flor. They stayed with a gorgeous host family. Besides volunteering, they took amazing tours during the weekends such as the Arenal volcano hike and hot springs, zip lane canopy tour in the Jungle and the gorgeous Turtle Island.

To see a video of the Fister family teaching English click here:

http://www.new.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=64949635121&oid=4562147589