During a "Social Work Day" hosted by ACI Costa Rica, foreign and Costa Rican volunteers joined forces to provide much needed support to the Fernando Centeno Guell School. Of the participants, three Costa Rican youth were recognized for earning full scholarships enabling them to volunteer abroad in Europe for six months and one year.

San Jose, March 20, 2010. For a Saturday activity, twenty young Costa Ricans who are preparing to depart this August for cultural exchange programs as part of the Cultural Exchange Association of Costa Rica (Costa Rica ACI) joined with ten foreign volunteers and ACI team members for a "Social Work Day" to support the Fernando Centeno Guell Special Education School. The participants were involved in organizing a party for a group of alumnae, starting a restoration project in "La Casona", the original building for the School, and renovating a room for a new Occupational Therapy Classes. The Costa Rican youth experienced a first impression of the type of work they can expect while in their various destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa. Furthermore, three full scholarships for one year or six months cultural exchange in Europe were delivered during a ceremony.

At 9:00 a.m. the volunteers began working at the Centeno Guell School on "La Casona", a building once declared a Historic Architectural Landmark but in recent years has served as a warehouse filled with old computers, desks and damaged toys. Several hours later, they left the house tidy, with an office, a classroom and a room for physical therapy still packed with the materials used, the rest were organized and grouped to be repaired or discarded. While working the volunteers unearthed a rare jewel, a beautiful massive wooden desk. Similarly, all equipment stored in the occupational therapy area was cleaned and repaired where needed, the new classroom was freshly painted and the alumnae who attended the party left with their tummies full of ice cream and cake and hearts full of beautiful memories.

The work was only interrupted to recharge everyone’s batteries with a shared lunch between volunteers and alumnae followed with a party. This occasion was also used to celebrate the presentation of three scholarship awards granted by ACI Costa Rica in the first half of 2010 through the European Union volunteer program. Hazel Chavarria of San Carlos and Jorge Brenes of Tucurrique earned themselves a year abroad in England, while Jonathan Bolanos turrialbeño will travel to Italy for six months. Zarelly Sibaja, Director of the Centeno Guell School, congratulated the scholars and also thanked the entire group for their collaboration. "What we celebrate today is an example of our commitment to goodwill and goodwill knows no borders or boundaries," added Mauricio Gabert, CEO of ACI Costa Rica.

Now it's up to the Costa Rican volunteers to carry this goodwill beyond the borders of Costa Rica.

San Jose, 02.26.2010. Volunteer from Germany.

Before leaving for Costa Rica I always had a clear thought about how my voluntary work abroad should be. Definitely working and sharing time with children. I imagined myself teaching and giving English lessons, playing with them and learning from their easy-going way of life or helping them whenever they do not seem to understand the world.

When I found out that I was going to be working with children with disabilities I felt insecure and confused because I had no experience whatsoever on how to act towards handicapped kids. Nevertheless, I was willing to accept this new challenge in my life and started the first day without any further expectations.

The project I work in is a shelter for 17 highly disabled kids, ages five months to 20 years, who are orphans or not wanted by their parents. The place is run by five nuns who are assisted by other employees and many volunteers that come to the place to help.

To be quite frank, the first day I came to the project I was shocked and confused because I did not expect these kids to be that disadvantaged. I felt very lost the first day and did not know what to do with myself. I was not really told what my duties were going to be and no one introduced me to my new colleagues. A typical issue I experienced in Costa Rica. When I came home I had to call my parents in Germany since I was crying so much. Fact was that I did not think that I would bear seeing these sick kids all year and I had no idea what useful work I could fulfil there.

Most of the kids that I am now taking care of are disabled due to violence they suffered by their parents after their birth. Furthermore, most of them are not able to walk or able to move their wheelchair. None of the kids can eat by themselves and have to be fed. Some are that sick that they have to be fed through a stomach tube, which was one of the hardest things I had to witness. A few of my kids are blind and no one can talk. At the beginning it seemed to me that they were just laying around all day and that also made me very sad.

After having spent half a year in my project, I have to admit that I could not be happier. I have gotten to know each one of the kids and realised that each one has their own special personality. Some kids prefer to be alone all day, others need somebody who sings to them and yet others are simply happy when being bathed or fed. They even get mad at me when I do something wrong or make me feel good when I please them.

When I arrive at the project in the mornings I start the day by bathing and dressing the babies. Then I help cleaning the rooms, changing the sheets of the bed or washing clothes in the laundry room. Additionally, I help feed the kids and change their diapers. When there is time, I love to sit down with the kids and read to them or listen to music with them. Others love to sit with me in the sun and listen to the sounds of nature.

Being in this project has taught me so much. I have learned a lot about how to care for kids with special needs and learned that they are not as different as I once expected. They enjoy and call for the same things that anyone would. I have learned to be tolerant and patient because sometimes my little ones react in a very different way and their moods can vary a lot.

Besides, I enjoy spending time with my co-workers because they explain a lot to me, not only about the kids but also about the Costa Rican culture.

I love getting up in the morning and it is a pleasure when I arrive at the place and notice that the kids are happy to see me and finally know who I am. I have found my very own place in the project which was hard at first and at last I feel like I am part of a wonderful family.

I do not want to think about what happens when I have to leave all these wonderful people in half a year. It is certain that I will return home with a bunch of new experiences and points of views that will accompany me all my life.