Volunteer Voice - Pura Vida
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.
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