Today was the first day of our community project. After asking the community of La Lucha, they told us that they wanted a new auditorium for the students. Right now, they don't have one so if they have assemblies, they have to be out in the field, and as we've experienced it today, it is incredibly hot and not the best environment to try to hold such meetings. Our job for today was twofold. One team was the shoveling team. They shoveled out dirt to make a wall so they could first level out the field for them to pour concrete on. Another request the school made was for us to help them make it more colorful, because right now the walls are plain and bland. So, another team was the painting team and for today, they sanded down the posts so that we could start painting them tomorrow. We will also paint a mural on their opening gate. This community project is especially meaningful because we know that this is something that the school needs and asked for directly. After working, a few of the students took a break and played games with the students. Soccer was especially popular and since we have several members of the MVPS soccer team on this trip, it was fun to see them interact and play together.
When it was lunch time, we split up into three teams and each went to a local house, where they prepared a meal for us. Each team had at least one adult with them but we tried to stay in the background so that the students could really be the ones to initiate and have conversations with the hosts. The food was delicious and the students did a great job practicing their Spanish as they asked questions and learned more about the Costa Rican culture.
After lunch, we went to a field where we played team-building games together and then we split into two teams again to have coffee time with another local family. Coffee time is a very important time for Costa Ricans and we were able to share a small snack time with them.
We are back at the lodge now, enjoying some free time before dinner. Since today was our first "working" day, we will end early and after dinner, we will just have a short meeting to conclude the day and they will be free to rest.
We've been lucky with great weather so far. It hasn't been too hot and we haven't had a lot of rain either. The clouds have been out and so luckily no one has been sun burnt. We have been consistently reminding them to reapply their sun screen and bug spray.
As a reminder, you can also be checking Twitter with the hashtag #MVInterim and #MVCostaRica for updates from our trip- you do not need a Twitter account. You can just search for hash tags and see updates on what we are up to.
Tomorrow we are working at La Lucha school in the morning and then spending the lunch and afternoon at a sustainable farm where we will learn about the blessing and curse of the pineapple industry for the country of Costa Rica.
Eating fresh coconut
A part of the leadership games we played was to be blindfolded and then guided through a "minefield" of toys and other obstacles by a friend who stood outside the lines and talked us through the path.
A small road side store where students were able to practice their Spanish to buy some Coca Cola and other snacks
Walking to the house to eat lunch
Playing with the students
Despite the heat, our students were so hardworking. I was incredibly proud of them.
Playing a version of tag with the students
A short break to play soccer
Working hard to help La Lucha school
A view of La Lucha school as we are walking in
Our bus ride to the school
When it was lunch time, we split up into three teams and each went to a local house, where they prepared a meal for us. Each team had at least one adult with them but we tried to stay in the background so that the students could really be the ones to initiate and have conversations with the hosts. The food was delicious and the students did a great job practicing their Spanish as they asked questions and learned more about the Costa Rican culture.
After lunch, we went to a field where we played team-building games together and then we split into two teams again to have coffee time with another local family. Coffee time is a very important time for Costa Ricans and we were able to share a small snack time with them.
We are back at the lodge now, enjoying some free time before dinner. Since today was our first "working" day, we will end early and after dinner, we will just have a short meeting to conclude the day and they will be free to rest.
We've been lucky with great weather so far. It hasn't been too hot and we haven't had a lot of rain either. The clouds have been out and so luckily no one has been sun burnt. We have been consistently reminding them to reapply their sun screen and bug spray.
As a reminder, you can also be checking Twitter with the hashtag #MVInterim and #MVCostaRica for updates from our trip- you do not need a Twitter account. You can just search for hash tags and see updates on what we are up to.
Tomorrow we are working at La Lucha school in the morning and then spending the lunch and afternoon at a sustainable farm where we will learn about the blessing and curse of the pineapple industry for the country of Costa Rica.
Eating fresh coconut
A part of the leadership games we played was to be blindfolded and then guided through a "minefield" of toys and other obstacles by a friend who stood outside the lines and talked us through the path.
A small road side store where students were able to practice their Spanish to buy some Coca Cola and other snacks
Walking to the house to eat lunch
Playing with the students
Despite the heat, our students were so hardworking. I was incredibly proud of them.
Playing a version of tag with the students
A short break to play soccer
Working hard to help La Lucha school
A view of La Lucha school as we are walking in
Our bus ride to the school
