The following
entry is by Lindsey, a volunteer who recently helped us out at our Hojancha
Daycare Center Project:

Heading
to Costa Rica

After graduating college
and before starting full-time work I wanted to do something where I felt I was
making a difference. So, I packed my bags and headed down to Costa Rica
where I was welcomed by some of the most incredible people I have ever
met. I was able to spend a week in the town of Hojancha staying with a
host family and teaching English at the local Daycare Center.

Meeting
My Host Family

When I arrived in Hojancha
I was welcomed with open arms by my host family. Carmen and
Carlos along
with their daughters Karla and Gabby, and grandsons Carlos Eduardo and Jose
Maria immediately made me feel at home. Throughout my week there they
introduced me to many aspects of their life which made it very special for
me. I had the pleasure of meeting some of their extended family, visiting
their farm, attending a birthday party, watching them package their own brand
of coffee and so much more. They included me in everything they did and
made this a very wonderful experience.

Off to
School

On my first day of classes
I headed off to the Daycare Center with Carlos Eduardo where I met up with
Ricardo from Tropical Adventures. Ricardo introduced me to Cecilia, the
maestra, and all of the children I would get to play with all week. I was
warmly greeted by everyone there and was quickly taken it as part of the
group. Within five minutes of being there they had me dancing in circles
and singing songs in Spanish.  I knew very little of what I was singing,
but the kids got a kick out of me pretending to have the nose
of an elephant
and acting out the other words of the song right along with them. The
entire week they included me in everything they did. When we were playing
chef they put an apron and hair net on me. When we were walking to lunch
they would take my hand and walk with me. And when there was a birthday
party they shared their party favors with me. The entire staff did a great
job of making me feel comfortable. They did everything from walking me
home to make sure I got there safely to making sure I had enough to eat at
lunch.

Teaching
English at the Daycare Center…

Words cannot explain how
rewarding it was to see the kids’ excitement to learn English. They would
all bring me books and toys and games and ask me over and over how to say the
words. Their enthusiasm would keep smiling all day! One of my
favorite stories is about a four-year-old named Fabian. We were learning
actions and he asked probably twenty to thirty times how to tell his parents he
wanted to take a ‘shower’. His desire to perfect even just one word was
really touching.

… And
What it Was like Not Knowing Much Spanish

Truthfully, having only one
semester of Spanish was a little difficult at first. The kids knew that I 
spoke English but had a little harder time understanding that I didn’t know
much Spanish.  A lot of our communicating seemed like a game of charades
which turned out to be a lot of fun. By the end of the week they had
helped to teach me Spanish and talking with them got easier.  Yes, I went
with the intention of teaching English but looking back I realize that those
kids taught me more than I could ever have hoped to teach them.

Saying
Goodbye to All the Incredible People

The hardest part about the
entire week was saying goodbye to everyone. On my last day at the school
each of the students made me a paper flower. On the back they had written
‘con amor’ (with love) and their name. Each and every one of them gave me
a flower along with a hug and a kiss and said thank you. It was extremely
touching and made it all the more difficult to leave them. Having to say
goodbye to my host family was just as hard.  I was only there for such a
short time but they really made me feel like part of the family and I will
never forget the wonderful time I had with them.