After a wild stormy first night at our host families, the clouds parted and we were greeted with sun and heat!! We reconvened at the Chilamate Eco Lodge and set out for the day.
The schools that we visited are somewhat isolated, so we needed to rely on our driver Chino to navigate the winding and narrow roads. The first school we visited is a primary school (Kindergarden to Grade 6) called Escuela Republica De Trinidad Y Tobago. The name may sound a bit odd, but the school is so named because of where its situated so closely beside the high school, organizers thought it resembled the island countries of Trinidad and Tobago. To add a bit more flare to the school, the students have chosen Bengal tiger as its school mascot, something that one does not naturally find in Costa Rica. And just for a bit more fun, the tiger's name is Max. The primary school and its mascot have benefited from a number of students from across the USA who have visited the school on service projects. The students have painted walls, built roves and helped to build a storage space. The hope for the next project is to build an administrative office for the head of the school and for basic administrative functions as well as building a green house.
A stones throw from the primary school is the neighborhood high school. Many of the students from the primary school graduate and attend this high school. The high school works hard to ensure that the kids it teaches has every opportunity to remain in school and further their education. The school provides meals as well as free transportation to its students. The grade 12 students that we spoke with all wish to further their studies once they graduate high school. Some are interested in veterinary medicine, criminology, engineering, business and medicine.
After our time at the school we headed to a local organic farm run by a man named Daniel and his family. Daniel had worked for years at some of the large pineapple plantations. After witnessing some of the atrocities against nature and suffering himself from major health issues, Daniel purchased his own land and became an organic farmer. Daniel's dedication to organic farming and preserving the land is truly inspirational. After another amazing meal provided to us by the family, Daniel proudly toured us around his land showing us his pigs, pepper plants, vanilla plants and goats. For the past 15 years he has been successfully growing a number of products organically.
After touring the farm we all sat down to a warm cup of coffee and heard Daniel's story. From starting to work at the age of 12, to the hiccups of starting a new business to his future plans for the land and his goals for his children, it truly was a moving story. Daniel soon hopes for his products to be given the "certified organic" label and with any luck will be able to export his products and take his small business globally.
After a few photographs and some shopping to support the farm it was time to return home for another night with our home stay families.
The schools that we visited are somewhat isolated, so we needed to rely on our driver Chino to navigate the winding and narrow roads. The first school we visited is a primary school (Kindergarden to Grade 6) called Escuela Republica De Trinidad Y Tobago. The name may sound a bit odd, but the school is so named because of where its situated so closely beside the high school, organizers thought it resembled the island countries of Trinidad and Tobago. To add a bit more flare to the school, the students have chosen Bengal tiger as its school mascot, something that one does not naturally find in Costa Rica. And just for a bit more fun, the tiger's name is Max. The primary school and its mascot have benefited from a number of students from across the USA who have visited the school on service projects. The students have painted walls, built roves and helped to build a storage space. The hope for the next project is to build an administrative office for the head of the school and for basic administrative functions as well as building a green house.A stones throw from the primary school is the neighborhood high school. Many of the students from the primary school graduate and attend this high school. The high school works hard to ensure that the kids it teaches has every opportunity to remain in school and further their education. The school provides meals as well as free transportation to its students. The grade 12 students that we spoke with all wish to further their studies once they graduate high school. Some are interested in veterinary medicine, criminology, engineering, business and medicine.
After our time at the school we headed to a local organic farm run by a man named Daniel and his family. Daniel had worked for years at some of the large pineapple plantations. After witnessing some of the atrocities against nature and suffering himself from major health issues, Daniel purchased his own land and became an organic farmer. Daniel's dedication to organic farming and preserving the land is truly inspirational. After another amazing meal provided to us by the family, Daniel proudly toured us around his land showing us his pigs, pepper plants, vanilla plants and goats. For the past 15 years he has been successfully growing a number of products organically.After touring the farm we all sat down to a warm cup of coffee and heard Daniel's story. From starting to work at the age of 12, to the hiccups of starting a new business to his future plans for the land and his goals for his children, it truly was a moving story. Daniel soon hopes for his products to be given the "certified organic" label and with any luck will be able to export his products and take his small business globally.
After a few photographs and some shopping to support the farm it was time to return home for another night with our home stay families.
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