| |
Alumni Journal
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Today I experienced community service like no other. Never in my life have I felt so proud and excited to help others in need. The town of La Carpio was eye opening to the poverty of Costa Rica. Though the people were extremely poor, they were happy and thankful. It was rewarding to see the smiles on the children’s faces, as we delivered the bunk beds and mattresses. I feel honored and privileged to have affected the residents of La Carpio and wish to help more.
- Grace, Costa Rica Combination, 2009
For our first act of community service, we visited a small community of Nicaraguan immigrants. When we drove through the streets, I was really sad to see crumbling homes and shoeless children. However, as we continued to drive, I looked over the superficial aspects of this site and was saw the happiness. The people were so happy. I could not help but smile back and wave at the kids. Pride radiated off of the kids when they showed us how to count to 10 in English. It was so amazing! For a while I forgot about the economic situation of the people, and just focused on making that day a good one. What a great experience!
- Mariah, Costa Rica Combination, 2009
Through so many amazing adventures, such as white water rafting, zip-lining, visiting volcanoes, hot springs, snorkeling, and surfing, it created memories that I will hold forever in my heart. The group was also involved in community service work. Working at La Carpio and painting the community center were life-changing experiences. We were able to accomplish so much as a group with all our hard work. Even the littlest of things each of us did at these places made a difference and would improve another life. Even though we will be leaving soon, the memories made by this group will definitely last a lifetime.
- Trip Member Costa Rica Combination, 2009
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Building a High School
For these two days, the group helped two awe-inspiring workers build a high school. It will be done in a month so that the local students do not have to attend class in an outdoor tin-roofed space. We helped carry concrete beams and planks for the walls, as well as assisting at the current school. The trip members enlisted the help of a truck to carry concrete planks up the muddy hill. At the end of the day, all fifty plus pieces of concrete were brought up the hill, where two Costa Rican workers made short work of putting them in place. By bringing all the concrete beams and wall planks up the hill, we achieved our goal for our share of the building. The rest is up to the next two groups! The Spanish-speaking tour members helped teach an English lesson that concluded with a dance lesson by the students! The last couple of days have been amazing! I really needed the relaxation, free time, and fun after all the work we did for Habitat. Jumping into waterfalls, horseback riding, tubing, mud bathing, and surfing was so much fun! I think everyone got close through these activities. Hopefully, tomorrow, zip lining, and the rest of the community service will be as fun as the past few days!
Sophie – Group Member Costa Rica
It felt so gratifying knowing that we were doing for others was going to be well appreciated. Painting the houses and doing the mural in the La Carpio shantytown was such an amazing experience because of the kids and how they all wanted to help beautify their town. I know that we made a difference.
Davina –Group Member Costa Rica
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
What did Habitat mean to us?
Entering the broken down house it was difficult to imagine it as something different. Piles of dirt, broken down walls, and crumbled tile did not ease our minds or muscles. Signing up for community service suddenly seemed like a regretful decision. As the days went on, the work became more difficult but the end result was so rewarding. Our relationships between the family and between ourselves became stronger and our spirits were lifted, no matter how much our bodies ached. Nothing could eliminate the motivation we had in helping a family who was truly in need. Working together we were able to complete almost any job. Nothing could stop us. The feeling of accomplishment and success at the end was worth every ounce of hard work.
At our next service site, another amazing thing happened. I felt something brush up against my work glove and when I looked down, I saw something both funny and incredibly touching. A boy I had never seen before was holding my hand! This seven year old boy, Andre, proceeded to spend the entire day working with us, laughing, sweating and crying when his wheelbarrow got stuck in the mud! Seeing the difference between his definition of a day of fun and ours was amazing.
- Group Member Costa Rica
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
