Saturday, May 25, 2013
Written by Pauline Fardow - GVI Manuel Antonio Community Volunteer
I don’t know anyone my age back home who hasn’t finished high school. Here in
Quepos, Costa Rica it’s almost the exact opposite. In Costa Rica they live by
the expression, Pura vida which kind of means, just relax and enjoy the day.
This expression not only affects the culture in general it also affects the
children and their attitude when it comes to school. School here is optional
and you’re free to leave whenever you like. Many children have difficulties
with concentrating, focusing and behaving. One of the reasons might be that
people live by this expression. Just
like every child, these children needs someone who can encourage them and
rewards them for going to school, otherwise it’s just hard work with no pay
off. At the same time living in poor conditions, like many of these children do,
it’s unsure if their parents will have enough money to pay for the next school
next term. Because of that it’s easier just not to care; you never know when
someone will take it away from you.
We
run a community center where we help out with homework, play games with the
kids and give classes in English. We are trying to give these children courage
and confirmation about doing well in school and in life. When I first got here
I wasn’t really prepared for the negative attitude against school. Because of
this I didn’t really feel appreciated. During my 4 weeks here I’ve learnt that many
of these children do care and also that there are many ways of showing
gratitude. When a smiling child runs to you with their arms open you know you
made a little difference. It’s a fantastic feeling helping one of the boys or girls and later hear them saying thank you and knowing that they really
mean it.
Actually
you don’t need to know many words of another language to laugh or make these
children gain some confident. They have so much capacity and they are so
intelligent, but they need someone to tell them. Every smiling face makes it worth being here and
hopefully one day they start smiling and helping each other and then it’s time
for us to leave. I hope these children are encouraged to believe in themselves
and in their future, be successful in life without losing the Pura Vida
lifestyle.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Intern Voice - Interns On Tour
Written by Miranda Jones - GVI Quepos Community Intern
So me and the other intern had been in Costa Rica for three months and it was
time to go to Esteli in Nicaragua for Spanish school.
After a twelve hour bus ride from San Jose we finally arrived. We met our host
families and then settled into our new home. The first week consisted of us
going to Spanish school in the morning then in the afternoon going to the cigar
factory and the local museums. Esteli was a small sleepy town, however we did find an amazaing cafe that sold bagels with cream
cheese and chocolate milk shakes. On the Friday we got to experience some local
live music. My host family was lovely. At first I thought it would be awkward
living in such a small house but it turned out great. We had lovely food and hot
water!
The second week was similar to the first apart from on the second to last day instead of staying in school the teachers took us to a cafe that was all natural; they had natural juices and food, it was such a lovely tranquil setting and we played lots if games that really helped our Spanish. On the last day we cooked traditional food with the teachers and had a small leaving party. My teacher in particular was lovely. She was slightly crazy and taught me every body part-even the arm pit, but she was so nice. I'm grateful to her for helping me so much. On our last night we went out for our last night out and we went to a bar out of town and then to a club. It was such a surprise how nice this place was. We were escorted in, brought to a very comfy sofa and served drinks all night, it was great. So the next day it was time to get in the bus and go home, and although I loved experiencing a different country and culture, I couldn't wait to get back to my friends and the children of El Cocal!
| Miranda with her host family |
The second week was similar to the first apart from on the second to last day instead of staying in school the teachers took us to a cafe that was all natural; they had natural juices and food, it was such a lovely tranquil setting and we played lots if games that really helped our Spanish. On the last day we cooked traditional food with the teachers and had a small leaving party. My teacher in particular was lovely. She was slightly crazy and taught me every body part-even the arm pit, but she was so nice. I'm grateful to her for helping me so much. On our last night we went out for our last night out and we went to a bar out of town and then to a club. It was such a surprise how nice this place was. We were escorted in, brought to a very comfy sofa and served drinks all night, it was great. So the next day it was time to get in the bus and go home, and although I loved experiencing a different country and culture, I couldn't wait to get back to my friends and the children of El Cocal!
Intern Voice - Interns On Tour
Posted by GVI Quepos at 10:11 AM
Labels: Esteli, interns, Nicaragua, Quepos, Spanish lessons comments (0)
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Staff Voice - My Friend Andy
Written by Nick Herrick - GVI Manuel Antonio Programs Manager
It's amazing what odd things you find yourself doing in a drop in community centre for kids. Although each day has a theoretical structure the likelihood is that each day in El Casa Del Sol will be quite different from the last. Some of the consistency for us comes in the children themselves. We have built up a group of regulars who will most likely be in the casa at some point during the day for a game of uno, help with homework or just a chance to kick a football around.
One of these children is Andy. Andy is 4 years old and the grandson of a lady who cooks lunch for us every day. He sometimes arrives at the casa with his younger cousin but more often we get a message from his mum saying that he is coming along on his little bike and could we let her know that he got there safely. Andy loves his bike and I have spent many happy times racing him making loud and unnecessary motorbike noises and trying to avoid him swerving into me as I run alongside and slightly behind him.
Andy is equally happy playing games inside, though he doesn't always have the same objective as others. During a game of "Guess Who" he routinely picks up his board and turns it around to show the opponent who he is with a look of puzzlement on his face that they would even think to ask whether "William" is a girl or has brown hair. Last week I spent a few minutes making the tower for Jenga while Andy knocked it down before we both decided it would be far more fun to try and pile blocks on each others’ heads. Perhaps him dropping handfuls of bricks on my head whilst giggling was less constructive but certainly no less enjoyable.
It is children like Andy that make our time here so worthwhile. Seeing them enjoy the opportunity to spend time with people who are able to focus on them and show them new games and activities is wonderful, and the knowledge that we are providing a safe place for them to play and learn makes even the hectic days worth everything.
Staff Voice - My Friend Andy
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Volunteer and Intern Voice: Learning to Lead
Written by various volunteers and interns at GVI Jalova
As part of the Leadership Course offered at Jalova
base, activities and talks are lead by short-term interns and thoroughly
enjoyed by all! Here are just a few of the latest events that have been
planned, organised and lead by our Leadership Course participants:
Over the past month other volunteers and I have been
lucky enough to learn from staff members about different animals in the
tropical area I am now comfortable calling home. This past Friday we were lucky enough to hear
from a fellow volunteer some interesting facts about chameleons I never knew
about. Enthusiastic would be an
understatement when it comes to describing how Elco, our wonderful speaker and
breeder of chameleons, feels about the reptile that is known for their ability
to change the pigment of their skin based mainly on their mood. However, that is not the only interesting
fact we were able to discover. For
instance I never knew their tongue is usually about two times the size of their
body and without it they would likely not survive much longer than a week. I also did not know the top of their head is
shaped in a slanted way so they can drink water from leaflets since they
actually do not drink standing water. On
top of that chameleons can add the shortest living reptile to their repertoire
as well! These are only a few facts our
speaker touched on considering the discussion went for a little over an
hour. I did not know much about
chameleons beforehand, and it is always nice to learn more about the animals
that roam our jungles, especially from someone with mountains of knowledge on
the subject.
-Peter, 3
month Volunteer
![]() |
| Elco imparting expert knowledge on chameleons to interested staff, interns and volunteers. |
-Amy
and Katie, 6 month Interns
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| Staff and interns digging for the final "treasure" during the scavenger hunt. |
Unfortunately
we didn’t catch any fish, but thank you Elco for this activity, it was really
appreciated.
-Jenny,
1 month Volunteer
Volunteer and Intern Voice: Learning to Lead
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Volunteer and Intern Voice: My favourite animal sighting at Jalova was....
Written by several volunteers and interns at Jalova
Another month has ended and we have sadly said goodbye to another group of volunteers. As they were leaving we asked them, and those staying on with us, to complete the sentence “My favourite animal sighting at Jalova was….”. Here are their responses:
Another month has ended and we have sadly said goodbye to another group of volunteers. As they were leaving we asked them, and those staying on with us, to complete the sentence “My favourite animal sighting at Jalova was….”. Here are their responses:
Kathy, the most perfect Leatherback Turtle.
We met on a moonlit night when the air was right, looked into each other’s eyes
and we bonded tight. We will meet again one night.
-Max, 6 month Intern
The Grey Four-Eyed Opossum found hiding in a
bag in the kitchen, looking dazed and confused until we released it outside.
-Jan, 6 month Intern
Towards the end of a Biological Assessment
Survey on the Juana Lopez Trail we thought we might be hearing Macaws. We
waited and waited, and finally four Great Green Macaws flew over us. There were
no photos but an amazing and rare sighting.
-Annie, 2 month Volunteer
A Leatherback Turtle, I forget her name, but
she was working her prehistoric fins as hard as she could to sweep herself back
to sea after a successful laying of her eggs in the moonlight.
-Pete, 3 month Volunteer
18 Mississipi Kites on migration taking a
break in a tree early one morning on canal bird survey. A surprising find and a
beautiful sighting of these graceful birds!
-Julia, 1 month Volunteer
Seeing four Great Green Macaws fly over after
not being sure whether we were hearing Macaws or Spider Monkeys. It was amazing
to see these marvellous birds fly overhead.
-Katie, 6 month Intern
When I found my first Red-Eyed Treefrog
sleeping on a big leaf. It was the cutest frog ever! Finally she woke up and
showed her beautiful red amazing eyes
-Jenny, 1 month Intern
![]() |
| The iconic Red-Eyed Treefrog spotted on an evening forest walk near our base. |
-Amy, 6 month Intern
Spotting a flock of Great Green Macaws on my
last survey. It was amazing! Seeing them fly over just blew my mind. However, I
can’t leave out the fifty-eight Eyelash Palm Pitvipers I’ve seen, including
every different colour morph. Jalova is just so beautiful, it’s like my second
home!
-Elco, 2 month Volunteer
Too difficult to pick! Trying to think of just
one favourite sighting at Jalova is so hard. There are so many new animals I
have seen here from snakes on base to turtles on the beach. Yet one of the most
unexpected was on our way to the Juana Lopez Trail when a Northern Tamandua ran
across the path in front of us and up a nearby tree. We had such a great sighting
of it as it sped up the tree and I actually managed to get a good picture! One
thing I’ve definitely noticed about the animals her at Jalova is that they
always appear when you’re least expecting it….
Volunteer and Intern Voice: My favourite animal sighting at Jalova was....
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