Pura Vida - translated means "pure life". This was the slogan of the mission trip I went on in high school. My trip to Costa Rica was life changing. I saw a whole new world, culture, and lifestyle. Being just thrown into a different world can be difficult. I took Spanish in High School, however I was barely able to get by. I could ask "what time is it" or "where is the bathroom", so most of the time I needed a translator.
We hooked up with a group called Pura Vida Missions. Everyday we would go out into the slums of Costa Rica and hold camps for the children there living in poverty. We played sports (ALOT of soccer), had arts and crafts, and sang songs. I became really close with Gonzalo (wearing the Spongebob t-shirt), Osmond (in the red USA shirt), and Edmond (wearing the red polo shirt). Everyday they would run up and talk to me while I tried to talk back. We communicated pretty well. They used small words so I could understand and my broken Spanish was enough for them to get the gist of what I was saying.
Gonzalo was the ring leader of the pack. He was a strong and confident boy who had a way with others. He showed me his house which you can't even call it a house. I realized that I take for granite most of what I own. I believe everyone needs to witness the things I have seen over there. In today's society, most people are materialistic and obsessed with making money no matter what the cost. Over there, they were just struggling to get by. Gonzalo even sold drugs for money. (He's ONLY 12!) I knew that these children appreciated all of us being over there. They ran to the bus everyday we pulled in. Gonzalo would run right for me, and one the last day he changed. He would barely look and talk to me. He told me he didn't like me and to go away. Later that day, my sister took another bus up there with a different group. Gonzalo grabbed a translator and brought him to my sister. He wanted to leave me a message - "I am sorry and I love you."
There are many programs like Pura Vida Missions that you could go on. Volunteer trips not only help the people you are going to see, but it also puts life into perspective for you as well. As a group we also participated in a lot of cool activities. We went to see a volcano, swam in hot springs, and went zip lining (which was a ton of fun in the rain forest). I went with a bunch of my friends so we found away to have fun in our own ways as well. So I recomend Volunteering to anyone and everyone. I had such a great experience and I know you will too.
This is a small list to get you started:
www.peacecorps.gov/
www.projects-abroad.ca/
www.gvi.co.uk/
www.travelworks.co.uk/volunteer-abroad.html
