Continuing Promise Limon, Costa Rica

Continuing Promise
Limon, Costa Rica

Day 1 Engineering Site 2, Hone Creek School:

Stepping on Costa Rican soil was very different from the countries
that we had visited before-we walked right onto the dock in Limon. The
security and hoops that we had to jump through in Costa Rica was
astounding, it is amazing how difficult it was to receive clearance
for a medical mercy ship. However, with all of our passes in hand we
were ready to check out our options.

Our first day was an easy-flowing investigation to set up future
distributions. This time we looked toward working at the engineering
sites, which were schools, to partner and provide backpacks and
supplies. Once we loaded up on our bus around 6:15-6:30am we rode out
to a school on the outskirts of Puerto Viejo called Hone Creek. As we
pulled into the school with the Naval engineers, we noticed there were
a few children hanging around the site even though school was not in
session. I had a great time practicing the English and Spanish
versions for different fruits, while the children laughed at my
temporary memory loss. The principle for the school is Francisca, what
an amazing lady. We set up our distribution for a few days later,
dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s for the logistics. Francisca was
amazing at providing us the information that we needed and helping us
to organize the children.

Day 2 Engineering Site 2, Hone Creek School:

The big day was fantastic! For the first time in Continuing Promise,
we were able to have 10 marines come out with us to help give the
children backpacks and stuffed animals. They were wonderful. Once the
military got used to the process and was comfortable with the
children, high-fives and hugs were flying as we went through grade
levels. There were so many smiles and the marines brought a tremendous
asset to our team. Our friend Casey McCausland was wonderful again,
helping us to keep count of the actual distributions and getting us
the supplies that we needed to be successful. The navy, who were
painting the school, even jumped in here and there to get a piece of
the backpack action. Everyone really enjoyed their moments with the
children.

Another very important task for us that day was to ensure that the
teachers received their bags. These bags were more like satchels, made
out of leather in nice shades of blue and maroon. For the teachers,
the principle allowed us to present them their bags in front of their
students. A few of the marines and Janina and I walked from room to
room, and in some cases outside (classrooms), to give these lovely
ladies their gift. Having a mother for an educator, sometimes it is
difficult to explain in words just how much teachers mean to me,
hopefully the hugs, handshakes and smiles conveyed the respect and
love that we have for these ladies. Being with them that day reminded
me of my mother and warmed my heart to be spreading her love to in
Costa Rica.

The day moved on and we found ourselves saying goodbye, but not before
Francisca provided us an amazing opportunity to return later on that
week. We were invited to return for a closing ceremony-and we were not
going to miss it!

Day 3 Engineering Site 1, Westfalia School:

Janina and I decided to get creative for our second day of
distributions. We wanted to increase our efforts so I went to an
elementary school and Janina went to an orphanage. In the morning, we
walked onto the pier like before; however, I found a surprise of 10
marines waiting to come with me. It was so funny to me because
Westfalia was a very small school, yet in need of support and I had
almost one marine to a child. The marines were wonderful though, they
were so happy to be in Costa Rica as I asked and it was many of their
first times in the country. I was so thankful to have the opportunity
to work with them.

We arrived at the school and had a warm-hearted welcome from the
family that lived next door to the school. My new friend opened her
home to all of us. All of us sat in what I would call her front porch
area; she even brought out coffee and bread and butter for all of us.
It was amazing, Costa Rican coffee-fantastic. We tried to repay her
kindness, but she would not hear of it, not even allow me to help wash
the dishes. She was wonderful and so were her daughter and
granddaughter. Fortunately, her granddaughter liked the stuffed
animals and toys we had, it was a pleasure to see her enjoy playing
with them.

At 9:00 we moved into the temporary classrooms where the principle,
who is the only teacher, was instructing the children since the school
was being renovated by the naval engineers (SeaBees). When we walked
into the class the children greeted us with a big Buenos Dias and lots
of smiles. The marines lined up on one side of the room with the
children lined on the opposite side of the room. Each marine
personally helped the students put the backpacks on and each child
received a stuffed animal as well. It was such a cute site. The
children moved back into a line and the marines that worked with them
moved to stand next to their new buddy. All at once we instructed the
children to look inside the backpacks and the marines helped them to
check out their new supplies. The children were so excited, similar to
a reaction that you might see on Christmas morning.

Once the children had a chance to check out their backpacks, we
decided to move to another activity to give the children a chance to
learn and teach. The director told me that the children already knew
how to count through 1-10 in English and we decided to teach them
11-20. With the marines on one side and the children on the other, as
a Spanish and English number conductor we went through all of the
numbers. Each group had the opportunity to state the numbers in
English in Spanish. At the end of the number symphony, both the
marines and the children had learned something new. It was a lot of
fun! The children decided to teach us all some of their favorite games
and so we played with them for the rest of the day. The marines even
volunteered to help serve the children lunch, which made the meal
easier for the director.

Day 4 Engineering Site 2, Hone Creek School:

The day had come for us to attend the ending celebration with
Francisca and her wonderful school. It was not until the last day of
our celebration that I she told me that she wished to run an orphanage
as well as the school. Not only does this amazing woman bring
education to children she opens her home; she took in a baby at the
age of 19 to care and give that child a chance for a better life. I
was in awe of her.

The day started off with a game of red light green light with the
children. It was so great to see the children so excited to run, walk,
stop, and run again till they reached home base (which was us waiting
to give them big hugs). Many parents and students came to support the
celebration. The teachers passed out American and Costa Rican flags to
several of the children and they loved taking pictures with their
flags. A stage was set up with speakers, a keyboard, and some plants
for decoration. We were walking around when a marine came up to us and
said, “she wants me to sing the national anthem”. He looked a bit
panicked, but all in good fun. It turned out that one of the teachers
had asked him to sing because they had one of their students singing
the Costa Rican national anthem. Well, with ten minutes to spare I
said I would sing with him if he liked-he ended up bailing and another
naval officer jumped up there with me and we sang together. I enjoyed
it, even though I was so nervous because I had never sung the national
anthem; however, “when in Limon” why not right?

The celebration continued with each grade level presenting a different
skit, dance, or song. There were the kindergarteners singing and
waving their hands to the older students dancing around the stage.
Commander Negus and several other Continuing Promise officials watched
the celebration with such appreciation, you could see on their faces
how they were soaking up the experience and loving it. The final
presentation was Francisca presenting the project leaders with
decorative plates to say thank you.

Loving life- and as they say in Costa Rica “PURA VIDA” or pure life!!!!