First Soccer Game..Last Childcare Center Meeting

Saprissa Vs. Cartago!

Last week I went tomy first, en vivo soccer game. Saprissa (the team that I support) was playing Cartago, which meant that it was close enough for us to go to! Several friends and I put on our purple and orange garb, and went out to support EL Monstro! We tied 1-1, but it was quite the experience. The fans of Saprissa are called the Ultra Morada, and they are crazy! The get all dressed up and scream and jump and yell... it's impressive. In any case, Ihad a good time and was glad I got to support my team.

Last Centro Infantil Meeting

Last night the ladies from the childcare center committe and I got together for our last meeting. Ligia and i presented the final designs for the building, plus all of the cost estimates that Daniel, the engineer who was helping us, worked out. They seemed pretty excited about how the plans turned out. I really hope that they keep up the fundraising efforts, and that a year from now I come back to see a completed day care center.

Systemizing the Habitat process

So, a representative from the Latin American Habitat office came to do a workshop with all 22 of our Las Rosas Habitat families. The idea is that they are going to evaluate what parts of the process worked well, and which ones didn't, so that they can apply the input to other housing projects farther down the road. It was a long, cold day. I arrived at 8:30 am to set up, but we didn't end up starting the activity until after 9:30 (due to family tardiness). Also, the event was held on the outdoor (though thankfully covered) patio of the elementary school, and it was raining and extremely cold! The consultant from the LAC (Latin America Office) asked me to supervise the kids so that the parents could fully engage in the process; we played a lot of games, and I managed to fall pretty hard on the slippery tile while we were playing tag. From what I heard from where the kids and I were playing, it sounded like the workshop accomplished its goal: the families were very open about expressing their likes and dislikes. However, it was also kind of upsetting for the families and the Habitat ppl who came. I mean, even impactful organizations have flaws... and the families have a right to complain about what they didn't like. I hope that their input is put to good use. We didn't end up leaving until about 3 pm, and I was exhausted. I went home, and was going to take a nap, but one of my friends Nelson showed up and invited me over to eat Chicharrones (fried pork?). I went, and they were totally worth it!

March is here

So, I come home exactly 1 month from today! Craziness! This is going to be a short but sweet blog, since i have a good bit to cover and not a ton of time.

Panama-Carnaval

Dustin (the other Habitat volunteer) and i went to Panama for our last 3 day trip out of the country. We made sure that we went while they were celebrating Carnaval, because it is supposed to be quite a party. Well, Panama lived up to its reputation, but I decided that at 23 I am just too old to be partying like a Panamanian- they don't sleep! And the big draw are these things called Culecos, which is pretty much a huge street party, but everyone has hoses and waterguns, and you spend the entire day soaking wet (nice for the heat though). Well, at first it was really fun, but by the end of the afternoon, there is a tond of wet trash, and who knows what other stuff floating in the streets, and you are in flipflops, and everyone was drunk )not me... which may have been why I didn't quite see the appeal). And they do this for 4 days straight. I went one day, then hung out with a family we know down in Penonome- they are super sweet. Consensus' Carnaval was interesting; not somethign i would want to do again.

More progress with my projects!

Obviously, with so little time left, I am rushing to get as much done as possible. We got the playground installed, and the first day that I opened it, a kid broke his arm! I guess that's just how kids are though, right? We also got the official constructión plans back for the childcare center, and I am in serious fundraising mode. Things are looking good. The elementary school is recycling! And they are excited about it!

Tope in Pacayas

Last weekend the friends and I went to Pacayas which I think will be my last Tope (horse parade) in CR =(. We had a good time though. However, I either got food poisoning or caught a virus, because I spent Sunday night puking. Here are some photos:

Other than these little things, I feel like a lot has been happening, but I can't think of what those things are at this moment. I will try and post a follow up blog soon.