Experiences
Joost and Janoek worked as volunteers at an orphanage in Turrialba for 2 weeks
From a very hot, sunny and beautiful Costa Rica we would like to inform you that we arrived at our home stay without any problems! The trip of around 24 hours (including a time difference of 7 hours) was very boring. When we arrived in at the airport of Costa Rica someone was waiving to us with a paper with our names on it. After a 2 hour car drive we met the host family. Very warm and friendly people. The house looked a bit poor and small and has 0% of the luxury that we are used to in the Netherlands. We absolutely don't mind, because we are taken care of very well! Before we went to sleep we have been told the very welcome words: Mi casa es su casa!
Last week we started our volunteer project at the orphanage. The children are very cute and enthusiastic. Communication with our coworkers is kind of difficult. After asking around it seem to be the linguistic barrier and the difference of culture. The staff takes good care of the kids. The house is spotless, the children are well taken care of and get more than enough food, but that's it. Few activities are organised for them and education and psychological care is very different that we know in the Netherlands. Because our colored pencils, cards, bounce balls are spent the kids are very attached to us. But we still love them. Within 3 days we will be leaving to Manuel Antonio. Only sun, sea and beach + beautiful nature. We did not only entertain kids here, but we also went to see the volcano of Turrialba, and Saturday we went rafting. Turrialba is known of its popular raft/kayak activities, because of the two main rivers here. Rafting was really cool, and the surrounding was awesome. Toucans flew literally above our heads.
Meanwhile we really enjoy our stay with our host family. It is cosy and the food is still very good including the rice and black beans with breakfast. PURA VIDA! (the motto in Costa Rica).
Last message from Sheila, she is doing 5 weeks of volunteer work at a daycare centre and has one week of Spanish classes in Turrialba
Just a short message from me. Today I will have to do a lot of things and the internet connection is really slow.
Last weekend I left for a long weekend to Quepos, that was a great experience. I travelled 6 hours to see the sea, and it was absolutely worth it. I can make some comments about the sleeping place but I won’t, I am rather spoiled, I know!
I am really happy that I had to chance to visit a local church. I met a nice Tico, he gave me a nice tour while I was waiting for my friends. Well…. Waiting… I spent whole afternoon at the beach and enjoyed sleeping there.
This week is my last week at the volunteer project for this year. I will see the children next week because we will have a Christmas party. I will write more about this next time. I will stay with a host family next week, which I find rather exciting.
Maybe some of you are a bit worried because I haven’t written for a long time…. But work can be very tiring, to get up early etc. I’m not used to it…. And Sammie and I keep hanging around almost all day, which is not quite necessary. hahah
Furthermore, I have lots of reports to write…. This is very annoying with a slow computer. Next week I will also have Spanish classes, every day 2 hours, with lot’s of homework.
Oh yeah, the weather in Turri is still bad. Only rain… because of that there are a few number of children attending classes. We will have to just wait and see when the weather changes, so the classes will get fuller. Anyway, the people are nice.
And yes, the dogs…. A lot of wild dogs. And me the big doglover find it so sad to see, pfff. But no, I won’t tough them. Turrialba is very quiet but beautiful, nicer than
Besos
Sheila
Message from Sheila, she is doing 5 weeks of volunteer work at a daycare centre and has one week of Spanish classes in Turrialba
Hi,
I already feel quit comfortable here. I have to get used a bit that I am abroad, and can’t sleep late and do nothing. But ok, I enjoy it. The fact that I am in an other environment feels like a vacation.
After 4 days I can say I like my volunteer work. It isn’t very heavy work, rather simple. But because of the fact I don’t speak enough Spanish I couldn’t do more.
This is the program at this day-nursery is as follows: (when I get in at 8.30) the children are sitting in a circle (the oldest group, 3,5 – 6 years). The volunteers play a fairytale together with the children. After that children draw and paint. Also they are learning to count, they already are at number 5. The older children have more difficult projects.
Then there is lunch, in the canteen, all children come together. It looks more like a poor meal, but it always smells very good. The newborns and the younger kids take a nap in the afternoon. The older children are sitting outside doing nothing. I am amazed that the children are doing nothing, but this is because of the age difference and there is not being communicated with the children very much.
When the small children are soothed a sleep (literally) we are waiting for the chef so the workers can have their meal. Most of the time we have the same meal, with a nice salad. Then we wait until the children are being picked up by their parents.
Even though it’s all quite simple, I have to say I enjoy the kids. I never expected to like the kids of this age so much. They are all so cute. They find me interesting because I ask a lot: what do you mean or I don’t understand… hahaha. I am a bit of their level so that makes it easier for them. It’s funny that some girls always draw my attention, or want to sit on my lap, or spontaneous tell me a story. Secretly I already have for favourites… hihi.
What can I say about the school. The building is not so big, 3 large class rooms and a play ground. An office, kitchen, canteen, toilets for the children and for the employers. Material is old and worn out, used thousands of times. Also the sheets are not being washed often. And of course there is a lot of insects, but well what do you expect in a warm country. I absolutely have no culture shock, I didn’t expect differently. Because of other trips I made I kind of got used to this. I am absolutely not fond of small animals.. and act always like: whahah. I will never get used to this. Yesterday I bought a strong insect spray, because the thought of having insects running over me while I am sleeping…brrr.
About the school, I am not sure if there is a lot of poverty among these children. One of them is wearing a Tommy Hilfiger shirt an other one is walking on old sneakers. But the school itself could do something about the material. Hmmm, tomorrow I will check out how this is arranged.
Adiosss
My two weeks in Nicoya, 6 July - 18 July 2008. By Jantiene Cats.
After a 4 hour trip in a real Costa Rican touring car I am finally in
Let’s start with my host family. Father Louis and mother Siria live in a beautiful house on the edge of town. They are both retired and like to sit in a rocking chair and have a chat with the neighbors. They have three children, Veronica, how lives with her husband and son across the street, and two sons of 18 and 28 years old. They are very sweet people and do everything for me.
Even though I speak a little Spanish, it’s hard to understand my host family, but after a couple of days it is much easier. I am surprised how relaxed people are, how easy it is to do nothing. We Dutch people can certainly learn from that. Pura Vida is taken literally! The daily routine is much different than I am used. People go to bed early, around
Classes start on Monday from 8 – 12. I am the only student in my Group, so I get 4 hours of private classes. This way I am learning really quickly. My teacher is Theresa, she loves making puzzles. We practice crossword puzzles to increase my vocabulary. The classes are really good, both grammar as vocabulary are practiced. In the afternoons I started an exchange program with a student from the
My classes are whole week and in the afternoons I meet Alan or I am going to the beach. The beach is not so far from here, so that’s great! Playa Samara and Carrillo are beaches out of a travel magazine, palm trees, white sand and a warm sea. You can also make trips to national parks which are very near.
After a weekend of traveling to the Arenal volcano my second week of Spanish classes begins, this is my second and last week in