Celebrating Thanksgiving in Potrero!

Written by: Anna Hergt

Some United States holidays aren't commonly celebrated in Potrero, but for the sake of fun, we like to spread the word. On Thanksgiving, that word was “THANKS!”. We started off the day with Kindergarten kids, who had been learning about the letter N, so we decided to make Native American headdresses. They wrote their names and colored nature-related things on their headbands and then taped on the "feathers." It’s quite nice how excited they were to tape on their scrap paper triangles and celebrate proudly with us.

Kinder with their head dresses!

Grades 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th were all in the next class, so we made a Tree of Thanks! Up on their mural they each posted colorful fall leaves, a strange concept here, and effortlessly wrote in English, “I am thankful for...” Most of them said "friends" and "family" and "my house," all blessings we sometimes take for granted.

Tree of Thanks!

Color-by-Number rainbow turkeys was the last activity for the 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th graders. Colors and numbers are subjects that they are especially good at so they had a blast and kept very quiet as they concentrated. A quiet classroom is rare here at Abriendo Mentes! When they were done the noise began again as we talked about how to say "thank you" in different languages. Our German volunteer Lynn taught them “Danke!” and we continued on to try and pronounce many other world languages.

Nayelli coloring her rainbow turkey

This Thanksgiving, we’d all like to say Gracias, Merci, Arigato, and any other way we could possibly let you know how thankful we are that there are people out there supporting AM even by something as simple as reading this. Salud!

A Healthy Community is a Happy Community

Written by: Shannon Ghere

When it comes to health and nutrition, Potrero is struggling like communities all over the world. Obesity is an epidemic among adults and is creeping into the lives of children. Diabetes is becoming more and more common and many people in Potrero are unsure exactly what the disease is or how to address it. It is because of this that the women of the AM women’s group, Mujeres Activas de Potrero (MAP), asked for more information on nutrition. We invited Dr. Judith Lipton to join us at a MAP meeting and share information on nutrition and healthy habits.

Traditional Costa Rican food provides a healthy and balanced diet. The province of Nicoya, just about an hour from Potrero, was named one of the 5 “Blue Zones” in the earth. The five Blue Zones include: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Icaria, Greece. The populations in these regions commonly live active lives over 100 years old and suffer from a small fraction of diseases that commonly plague other communities. While a traditional Costa Rican diet is nutritious and healthy, here in Potrero processed, fatty, salt and sugar heavy foods have filled our shelves and our bellies, creating an epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Living in poverty, many families do not have the knowledge or opportunity to change their current path and their children are beginning a similar pattern at a young age.

Dr. Lipton shared healthy eating tips with MAP, taught us how to read product labels effectively, and answered our questions about our own nutrition and child nutrition. She stressed the simple rule that we should all try to follow: Eat like your grandmother ate as she was growing up.

This information can be especially powerful and effective in the hands of women. In an epidemic such as this, the women of MAP can be crucial in changing the eating habits of the community as they are primarily responsible for the food in their households. Dr. Lipton will continue to join MAP to discuss other health related topics in the future including self breast exams and sexual health. Following up on our nutrition class, Dr. Lipton will be joining us early January to help us make healthy New Year’s resolutions and take our weight, measurements, and blood pressure to track our progress each month.

A Fun Filled Trip to the Feria Forestal

Written by Caroline Kirkendoll

The first Saturday in November marked the inaugural outing for our freshly restarted women's group, now known as Mujeres Activas del Potrero (Active Women of Potrero). After an early morning departure from Potrero we made the 2 hour drive south into the mountains to a town called Hojancha. Hoja Ancha literally translates into "wide leaf" and was named by the locals after a tree with large leaves that is found throughout the area.

Hojancha is known throughout Costa Rica for its incredible biodiversity, so it was fitting that this feria forestal (forest fair) took place in an area well-practiced in the art of forest sustainability and Eco-conservation. Six Potrero women and their eight children accompanied the Abriendo Mentes volunteers as we went about exploring the rows of booths inside sun-shaded tents. Although we visited on the last day of a 3-day festival there was still lots to be seen!

Verenice, Dilan and Emanuel on the park slide!

We were instantly mesmerized by an eye-popping display of dozens of butterfly specimens and a fish tank full of live koi. Each booth had representatives ready to pass out information and we walked away with lots of brochures, and a desire to make a trip back to the area to explore the underground caves of Barra Honda!

Anna & Ilene browsing the booths

What was particularly encouraging to us was the number of booths manne d by single women selling everything from rosaries made from tree seeds to jewelry made from painted glass. We learned that Hojancha also has a women's group, called Hojarte - get it?! - and they sell all kinds of handmade items, such as bags and jewelry, made from recycled goods. It was very inspirational to see how successful they are!

Judit with some of the beautiful jewelry

After a morning exploring we loaded everyone up and set off back to Potrero, full of ideas and inspiration for our mujeres activas! We are very excited to continue expanding the horizons of our local women, and hopefully sometime soon we'll have our own booth at a local feria! Many thanks to Andres of Bahia del Sol for organizing transportation and making this trip

Caroline and Andres enjoy some traditional meat on a stick

Fun Friday: At the Garden!

By: Ilene Solomon

Fridays are typically filled with fun (yet still educational) activities, in order to expand the kiddo's minds and hearts, and to provide them with more hands-on, experiential ways to learn. Last Friday was no exception! Fun Friday was run by the Garden Team: Lynn, Peter and myself...and with the help of parents who lent us their garden tools (thanks padres!), we all got our hands dirty with our first Garden Day of the new dry season.

The kids getting geared up for X-treme Garden Makeover

With about thirty students--from kinder all the way up to 6th graders--and seven volunteers, we raced out to the back of the salon, home to the Abriendo Mentes garden. Past volunteers and donors helped create a beautiful garden space, but unfortunately, due to the heavy rains of September and October and a horrible iguana attack, the garden looked like it needed some major TLC! Luckily, the students were excited to help. We managed to weed the entire plot plus remove all of the trash! Phew.

Tatiana with her bunch of weeds

But the greatest show of all, was when volunteer and Garden Committee Co-Chair Peter shimmied up the 5 meter tall tree with his travel-sized saw! He helped us trim down the tree to let more light shine in. Afterward, he instructed the big kids in how to safely use his travel-sized axe to chop the branches for the compost pile. One of our older boys, Oscar, was put in charge of showing the other older students how to handle the axe. This was a special moment for Oscar, as he was able to sharpen his leadership capacities...after all, education doesn't just happen in the classroom!

Peter teaching Oscar to use an axe to trim the tree

After about 2 hours of work, the kids were thirsty and the volunteers were tired, so we packed up and called it a day. Next on the garden agenda includes securing the garden beds and re-soiling the area. If you'd like to help support the garden, consider donating to Abriendo Mentes!

Third Session: Big Changes Can Happen Quickly!

Written by: Shannon Ghere

As the Third Session of Abriendo Mentes’ programs has come to a close and our fourth and final session of the year is underway, it is a marker for me to look back at the enriching time I have spent in Costa Rica thus far. I arrived on the dusty roads of Potrero in the beginning of August, just before the the Third Session began. Recently graduated from college, I was full of desire to make real change. I was ready to begin, but truly had no idea the journey I was embarking on.

Shannon in classes with Dilan making an igloo

Potrero at first seemed quite different from the life I was used to, but I quickly fell in love with it. The town is comprised of Guanacastecos, some of Costa Rican origin, others immigrants from Nicaragua. Poverty is prevalent in the region and has a strong hold on many families. But what is even more difficult is the lack of opportunity to change ones circumstances. It is clear after living in the area for a few months that not only is there a deep need for increased education, but also a clear desire from the community. This is what makes Abriendo Mentes such a success: they are addressing real needs and the community embraces them in their efforts.

The AM kids pile on the soccer field

Of course I was excited to dive into AM’s English classes and the Third Session classes did not disappoint. The youngest classes were always my favorite and I loved all the songs and English games we played with the kids. The older classes reminded me of some of the activities I have done in my own courses as I was learning a new language. From week to week I could see improvements in the students’ English. And thanks to a great idea by past volunteer Linda, AM was able to implement a new attendance program for the Third Session which more then doubled our number of regularly attending students! The impact was immediate and sustained throughout the session, leading AM to implement a new schedule in order to create smaller class sizes.

Kinder class! With Sofia and Daniella

We celebrated some fantastic holidays during the Third Session including Mother’s Day, Children’s Day, Independence Day, and the Festival of Corn. During each event I had a great time with the students and, of course, at all the AM fiestas we threw for the kids. Children’s Day was by far my favorite and, I think, something we should consider adopting in the United States! AM held carnival for all the children in Potrero and included many games and events I always loved in carnivals as I was growing up.

Shannon in charge of the UFO disc toss station

Since I arrived in Potrero the AM family has grown quite a bit! For the majority of my initial time in Potrero there were just three volunteers. Now the team has grown to eleven people in total. The largest Abriendo Mentes team to date!

With volunteer Lynn and some AM students making picture frames

Looking back on the few months I’ve been here, it is astonishing just how much can be accomplished in such a short time. From the wonderful teaching experiences I have had and the growth I have seen with the students, to the various successes Abriendo Mentes has had. I have built strong relationships in such a short time with community members and the other volunteers alike. And even the changes I have seen in myself: the improvement in my own work, my changing concepts of the community I have become a part of, and my lack of screaming at the various bugs, toads, crabs, and scorpions that wander into my apartment.

Shannon and Emily - Las Gallos Pintos at the Halloween party

When you look at life in Potrero and the immense amount of work Abriendo Mentes does, it can seem daunting at the beginning. But looking back at the past few months, who knows what can be accomplished in such a short amount of time.

We the Women of Potrero!

Written by: Lynn Hessbrueggen

A lack of educational possibilities and after school activities has centered Abriendo Mentes’ primary focus on the children of Potrero. As we all know, children are our future. But where do all these energetic, smart little ones come from? Who brings them up, feeds them and loves them? La Mujeres de Potrero (The Women of Potrero)!

A few important women of Potrero share smiles and stories during the first meeting

To honor this strong and essential part of our community, AM has created a women's empowerment group program. The group strives to be a place, where all women of Potrero (young and old, from Costa Rica or abroad) can gather together, discuss, learn and spend quality time just for themselves. A place where there is room for questions concerning women’s health, child care and economic independence; a place where no woman has to restrict herself; a place for women.

Shannon with some of the women of Potrero spending quality time together

This past Thursday at 5pm (más o ménos) we started our first new Women’s Group meeting. To our delight, the small room was filled with women of all ages. After Meradith had welcomed everyone in Spanish, and the buffet of food, which was provided by volunteers and village women alike, was emptied onto our plates, AM introduced the ideas of possible activities that we had thought of in advance: healthy cooking, Yoga, swimming classes, women’s health, Spanish-English intercambio… and the list goes on. There was plenty to talk about while enjoying fruits, chips, dips, rice and chicken.

Meradith enjoying arroz con pollo and conversation with Maritza, Margarita and Tina.

Everyone discussed, with openness and excitement the different possibilities of the women's group. A lively exchange of opinions full with laughter and jokes created a comfortable atmosphere: surfing and snorkeling were dismissed, in a fit of laughter, everyone imagining themselves on a surf board, and many new ideas were added. Next week, everybody is going to come with a towel, ready to learn how to give and receive a relaxing massage. Having attended the first meeting, I’m really looking forward to the next one.

Always Expect the Unexpected

Written by: April Simon

Having stalked Abriendo Mentes online for nearly nine months, I thought I knew what to expect upon my arrival in Playa Potrero. Reality, as I am often reminded, trumps the Internet every time.

A rainy season front yard in Playa Potrero

I first discovered AM while searching for a host organization for the Fulbright grant project I am proposing. The program is based on the Literacy Through Photography model and will explore concepts of self, community, and future aspirations with children aged 5-14. Having exchanged many an email with Meradith, I felt it time to make the trip from North Carolina to see for myself how the project might play out with the AM kids.

My partner, Brian, and I arrived on the rainiest day of the season. After a five hour shuttle bus trip into the Potrero, we were eager to get out and explore the village that we hope will be our home soon. Following the only road we saw, we soon found ourselves at the soccer field that serves as the center of town. From there, we could hear the sound of children singing through the downpour.

Looking out onto the soccer field.

The AM classroom buzzed with the energy of barely contained chaos. The teachers and volunteers moved around the room, helping the kindergarteners paste scraps of paper in the shape of an apple. Brian and I were invited to jump right in with the lesson.

Justin helps Dayra with her apple art.

Between the older and younger groups, I chatted with the children and let them play with my camera. One boy, Gerald, quickly established himself as the class clown- mugging for every single shot. A few others asked me to take group photos- and, like all eight-year-old boys are want to do, gave each other bunny ears for posterity.

Over the next few days, I got the opportunity to get to know more of the children, several of their parents, and many of the other community members. In true Tico fashion, the citizens of Playa Potrero are incredibly warm, open, and kind.

The corn king and queens of Potrero

We were able to take part in the Corn Festival, and I was given the recipe for the traditional corn and rice soup that was boiling in a huge cauldron over open flames. When all of the electricity in the area went out during our dinner at a restaurant, the owner casually brought us a candle, a drink refill, and a flashlight for our walk home.

Truly Guanacasteco: cooking arroz de maiz over an open flame.

Though we were sad to leave Potrero behind, Brian and I look forward to returning along with our own two children next year. I am excited to begin working in earnest on both my project, and with AM in their regular afterschool programs. While village life has its challenges, I am also very eager to have my family in a place that is removed from the bustle and anxiety of the city... and if I ever need to find my children- I’ll never have to look farther than the soccer field.

A Busy Week at Abriendo Mentes!

By Ilene Solomon

Between exams for all of the students, the Corn Festival, Game Day with Ilene and Peter, and Gymnastics Day with Lynn and Shannon, this week has been non-stop action!

All of the kids have been studying extremely hard for their exams. 1st grade has been learning all about pets, hobbies, and clothing, while 2nd grade has been busy with hobbies, traditional games, and clothing. 3rd and 4th grades spent the week working on leisure time activities, utensils, clothing, and food. Lastly, 5th & 6th grades studied different types of entertainment (hobbies), stores and places around town, legends and cooking recipes.

In our hands-on approach to learning, Abriendo Mentes volunteers created innovative ways to teach the students. Anna put together the pets and clothing topics for the younger students by making paper-dolls. But these weren't your average paper-dolls to clothe...instead, the kids got to choose outfits for their pets! Shannon and Emily helped the kindergarten students learn about the letter "K" by making king's crowns, while Ilene and Peter hand-made a Memory Game set with the Spanish and English words for various fruits and vegetables. The kids got a lot of study time in, but more importantly, they had fun!

Another big event took place on Wednesday: the Costa Rican Corn Festival! Fiesta del Maiz is held in mid-October to celebrate corn production; clothes are made out of corn husks and corn-based foods are enjoyed. At school, each grade chose a male and female class representative, who strutted their stuff down the runway. From shirts made of corn bags, earrings studded with corn kernels, and dresses lined with dyed corn, each kid's outfit was beautiful and so unique! A parade around Potrero's plaza gave the whole town a chance to see the kids decked out in corn. We finished off the fiesta with a delicious chicken, rice and corn soup and Costa Rican style snowcones.

Verenice in her corn outfit


To end their week of studying, the AM volunteers planned fun activities and a Gymnastic Day for the kids. They crawled through the tunnel like lions, climbed up the mountains, dodged the poisonous snakes in the swamp, and jumped over hot lava in our Costa Rican obstacle course, and danced the afternoon away to a freeze dance game, accompanied by Peter's guitar. On Friday, they learned how to warm-up like real gymnasts and do somersaults and handstands!

Good thing we have a break next week from classes...after so much activity, we all need a rest!

Lynn even helped out volunteer Peter with his handstand!

Christmas in September

Written by Emily Hric

I arrived in Potrero late in the evening almost two weeks ago. The drive to the coast from San Jose was long and arduous, but luckily my driver, Miguel, had a sixth sense for avoiding the thousands of pot holes that lined the dirt road into town. Tired, and a little apprehensive, I settled into my new casa , not knowing what to expect from Potrero or my time working with Abriendo Mentes.

The following morning, I was greeted bright and early by Lynn, another volunteer, who was tasked with giving me the official Potrero tour. I was introduced to the three super markets, which all seemed to carry the exact same products (though I would soon learn which super had best for produce and which had the best selection of my favorite cookies). And 20 minutes later, as the tour concluded (seeing that Potrero really is the smallest town I have ever been in) I caught a quick glimpse of the most gorgeous beach I have ever seen; only a few minutes’ walk from the center of town.

But then it was straight to work. I had arrived just in time to help distribute new school supplies to all of the children. Because of the great support from friends, families, and donors, this year the children were able to receive new pencil cases, filled with pencils, erasers, and sharpeners as well as a new set of colored pencils, a folder, and a new notebook.

Being a bit of a nerd myself, I know the excitement that new school supplies can bring, but I was in no way prepared for how thrilled these children were to get their hands on a new notebook. As each child filed into the Abriendo Mentes’ office, a line formed that ran from the top of the stairs all the way down and out the door. For some of the children, choosing between a pink pencil case and a polka dot pencil case, or a motorcycle notebook and a cool football notebook, seemed like it was the most important decision they had ever made in their lives. They sat there, almost in agony, debating between the two before they would look to a friend for guidance. And as they walked down the stairs, holding their new supplies tightly against their chests, not one of the students could contain their eagerness to show their friends and parents which supplies they had chosen. I have now been here two weeks, and still the pride that these kids take in having their own pencils and notebooks – that belong only to them, amazes me.

After only two weeks I have fallen in love with the kids. I can’t walk down the street in Potrero without three or four children calling my name or running over to give me a hug. Enthusiasm and affection just radiates from them, and it is entirely contagious!

A day for the children

Written by Shannon Ghere

Mother's Day and Father's Day are well known in the United States, but here in Costa Rica they add a new holiday into the mix, Children's Day! Recently, Costa Ricans celebrated the national holiday of Dia de los Ninos to celebrate all the children of Costa Rica. Often on this day children receive gifts from their families and there is a small town celebration. Of course, this holiday did not pass by quietly at Abriendo Mentes!

Flor and Sucelli's Children's Day sign.

To celebrate the children of Potrero, Costa Rica Abriendo Mentes hosted a Carnival in the community salon open to all the children of Potrero and beyond. More then 50 children came, many of them arriving early (which those who have spent time Costa Rica know is something rare!) to stand outside the door, excitedly watching us set up the party. After grabbing their carnival tickets, they rushed in to begin the fun!

Lining up...

We had filled the carnival with some of our own favorite games that we remember from carnivals and fairs when we were growing up including a fishing pond, Frisbee toss, bingo, and basketball hoop. We also included the classic game, the cake walk, where winners received brownies. And an arts and crafts station was set up for children to decorate their own goody bags and more. After each game children would excitedly pick out a prize that they had earned such as pencils, bracelets, or key chains. But the crowd favorite was clearly the face painting station! The line for face painting was always long, with children typically requesting flowers and butterflies or pirate faces.

Classic Go Fish

A new addition (thanks Shannon) E.T. frisbee

Needless to say, it was a wonderful and fun afternoon for everyone and a great way to celebrate the Potrero children!

Lynn our resident face painter!

Give a hoot, don't pollute!

Written by Drew Ragland

What do diapers, fishing line, a car tire, a toilet seat, shoes, and ceramic tiles have in common? They were all among the various articles of garbage that were hauled off of Potrero Beach during a community wide beach cleanup event that took place on Monday, August 29. During the rainy season, swollen estuaries and strong tides deposit copious amounts of trash along the beach in Potrero Bay. This accumulation of refuse is an environmental hazard as well as a detraction from the aesthetic value of this otherwise pristine setting. Pollution on Potrero beach is a big problem that can be tackled with small solutions.

Mhia working hard to clean the beach.

The Las Catalinas team!

Spearheaded by Bahia del Sol Hotel, the beach cleanup was a collaboration between local businesses, Abriendo Mentes students, Las Catalinas Development and community members. With garbage bags in hand, over 20 students, parents, residents, and even a few tourists set out from Las Brisas on a mission to scour the beach for litter. Another group struck out from Hotel Bahia del Sol towards the “new marina.” From tiny plastic bags to a large tractor tire, no piece was too big or too small to be collected. The two cleaning crews rendezvoused back at Bahia del Sol for a much needed refreshment and to sort all the garbage for recycling. Glass, plastic, metal, and trash; everything was accounted for and loaded up to be taken to the recycling center. In total, several hundred pounds of litter was removed from Potrero Beach and everyone went home tired, proud, a bit malodorous, but most importantly satisfied in fulfilling a civic responsibility. We are looking forward to seeing everyone come out for the next beach clean. Stay tuned for the time and date and tell your friends and neighbors because the more the mejor.

Drew giving Luis a ride back to Potrero.

Yoga in the wild

Written by Lynn Hessbrueggen

Energetic, hyperactive kids wouldn't possibly enjoy a calm, centered exercise such as yoga... at least that’s what you would think, until you meet Colleen Stacey, yoga teacher extraordinaire. This stunning woman managed to get a group of elementary aged kids to master "sun salutations" and "downward facing dog" with ease and sans complaints.

The kids and Colleen in a plank pose, part of the Sun Salutation.

This past Friday, Colleen joined Abriendo Mentes for a second children's yoga class. Following her famous dinosaur yoga in June, she came prepared for a new favorite, jungle yoga (yoga de la selva). Adding some roars and claws to regular yoga exercises made the half hour of yoga go by in a snap. No one even realized they were even exercising as the Salon slowly transformed into a humid, cloudy jungle adventure.

Luis, a true jungle cat.

Colleen had the kids walk through an imaginary jungle while doing the different exercises, and adding a little fantasy to regular yoga positions. First we became leopards by kneeling on hands & knee, stretching one leg up in the air (the tail, of course). The kids almost started to be afraid of themselves... well, almost. Accompanied by cobras and sideways walking crabs the journey through the tropical yoga rainforest continued. Monkeys and dangerous mangrove boat trips (good exercise for your abs) followed. At the end of their adventure Colleen enchanted the little ones to sit still as little turtles. Not an easy thing to do as all AM teachers know.

Colleen helping Verenice with her turtle pose.

After a 30 minute class, we transported back to Potrero from our selva adventure, still with the thoughts and feelings of a wild trip to the Amazon jungle.

The simple joy of arts and crafts

Written by Shannon Ghere

On Friday, I had the opportunity to lead an art class with a fellow volunteer, Lynn. We helped a small group of children create and decorate picture frames and then create paint or draw a picture to put into the frame. I was surprised at how much fun everyone had with the activity, including myself.




In the United States, I always love when my nephew brings home a craft that he had made at daycare and the pride he has in his creativity and the final product. We usually hang his “works of art” on the refrigerator. While this seems like such a simple part of a child's life, in Portero the children have little opportunity and resources to develop their creativity skills and create a final project they can be proud of and bring home.




As we created our crafts, it was exciting to see each student’s creativity and how much fun they had making their frames and paintings. Some made paintings for their parents while others painted pictures of butterflies in their favorite colors.

Without activities, such as the ones Abriendo Mentes provides, the children's afternoons would be spent idling. Instead, we were able to practice our English skills while we made crafts. It was simply just an enjoyable, fun afternoon together!

At the end of each day after I leave classes, I look forward to seeing the kids the next day and helping them with whatever they may need. Whether it’s English learning, help with a computer, or simply a friend to pass the time, I am excited to help and appreciative for the opportunities and services Abriendo Mentes provides.

Looking Back from America

Written by Alex Carelli

What did I find in Central America? What did I do? What did I change? These questions have been swirling through my mind as I have been attempting to find a semblance of normalcy and make my way in a new city. It’s, interesting, looking back and trying to place myself on those dirt streets in that ramshackled village with children swarming at my feet and waist speaking in their imperfectly beautiful Spanish. It’s strange, looking back out my floor to ceiling windows to the blinding chaos of the one and only New York City and placing myself on the deserted beach near where I saw that dead monkey hanging on the wire. Who did I become during those months? Who am I now?

There is no doubt in my mind that those countries - that country - Costa Rica, changed me. And there is no doubt in my mind that in my own small way, I changed it.

What did I find? What. Did. I. Find. I found the beauty in simplicity. I found death and life in the bloodied broken wing of a bird on a Tuesday afternoon, and I found hope in the dark smiling eyes of the children I taught. I found how hard it is to make change, and how there are always three steps forward and two steps back. I found the ease in which children and people make connections across language and cultural lines when you pull a little compassion and understanding into the equation. I found the raw, exquisitely visceral wonder in turning a piece of hopeless land into the black gold of possibility. I found that even in the worst of situations, human good can always come through. I found that when you give people a choice, a chance, an opportunity - they will take it. And they will run with it, as far as they can go. I found these things and many more, and I took them with me.

I spent my time in Costa Rica working on two main projects that I conceptualized early into my time in Playa Potrero: a Community Garden and a Women’s Empowerment Group. By the time I left, both of these had been fully realized and had taken on a life of there own. These two projects spoke deeply to my passions, and I recall many moments of working to manifest these ideas and thinking, “This is it. This is exactly what I want to be doing. This is perfect”. At Abriendo Mentes, I was able to creatively solve problems, implement solutions, and brainstorm ways in which we could make this community better and more livable for its inhabitants. I was able to channel my passions into projects, and I poured all of my energy and heart into making sure they became a reality.

The process of taking an idea and watching it grow and take shape into something I was never quite sure would manifest was exhilarating, empowering, and life-changing. I left Costa Rica knowing that I had changed something. I created something new. I planted an idea and I let them run with it.

By the time I left, the Community Garden had seedlings sprouting, compost composting, and the beginnings of a beautiful public space in the making. Many of the surrounding families had taken an interest in the compost pile, and were throwing their fruits and vegetables in every morning. Each day when I would head over to water, Jeffri, a three year old boy that lives next door to the space, would come over and help me haul buckets of water (well, I would give him cups), weed, and tend to the growing plants. I taught him how to stay on the paths between the sprouting veggies, how to gently pick off the browning lower leaves, and how to evenly spread the water throughout the bed. Other children would find sprouting mango pits in the streets, and bring them back to plant in the bare patches of earth. They were learning the trade that has been forgotten by many members of their community. They were learning how to care for the earth, and the fulfillment that comes from nurturing the land and watching it thrive.

By the time I left, the Women’s Empowerment Group was running on it’s own fuel. Local women had stepped up to leadership roles, and were actively organizing activities and meetings to keep the momentum going. The group steadily grew from 5 to 15 and then to 20, and the women kept coming. They were learning dancing, box making, rug weaving, card making, and had ideas about businesses and options to turn their group into a sustainable economy. These women, many who had been beaten or abused by men or have never been able to find steady work, were empowered by their new found opportunity. I remember hearing one woman say after completing an activity, “I am so proud of myself”. Proud. Proud of MYSELF. That’s what we created. We created an outlet for self-empowerment. We created a way for the women to see the value in themselves, and run with it. In the group, they saw a future, they saw ideas, they saw possibility. It was incredible to see how a conversation could turn into a such a life changing and powerful manifestation. The women gave me so much hope.

So, did I change anything? I think so. If nothing else, I know I changed myself. Strangely enough, I didn’t go to Costa Rica to “find myself”. I didn’t go to learn things about myself I didn’t know. I didn’t go to find a book of stories, life-long friends, or the perfect photo. I went to let it all go. I went to see what happens when you leave your ego behind; when you leave your clothes, your house, your other life. When you leave all the things you thought mattered, and give your life up to a cause that is greater than yourself.

I believe I accomplished that task. I threw myself into the unknown, and out of it my passions emerged. Passions that were perhaps slightly buried under the buildings, fancy dinners, urban outfitters clothes, wedge heels, book after book after book. Passions that were obscured by the vintage shops, the indie flicks, art museums, internships and concrete streets. It wasn’t until that was all gone, it wasn’t until I had no other options, that I was able to fully realize my SELF. And not only realize it, but USE it for the only thing I knew how, GOOD.

I want to thank Abriendo Mentes, and Meradith, for giving me the outlet with which to do this work. I want to thank Omprakash, for believing in my thoughts and ideas. I want to thank my boyfriend, for going every step of the way with me. I want to thank the people of Costa Rica, for everything they allowed me to give them, everything they accepted graciously, and everything they gave me.

And we just want to thank you Alex! - Abriendo Mentes

Story Learning Workshop in Playa Potrero

Written by Sarah Littlefield

Story Learning is a way of teaching adults using their personal narratives to stimulate learning. I have used memoir to help illiterate people learn to read, to help veterans deal with war trauma, and to help non-English speakers learn English. Adults and children alike love to speak and read about themselves, so motivation is high.

Sarah Littlefield, Founder of Townsend Learning Center

When I first thought about coming to Costa Rica, I asked Meradith Leebrick if I could work with parents and other adults associated with the children coming to Abriendo Mentes. She and Drew gave me an enthusiastic green light, so the project was started in the winter of 2010. Twelve or more adults, mostly from Nicaragua, came to the class. Working individually, I interviewed them in Spanish, and translated their narratives into English with help from volunteers. Personal photographs were incorporated, taken from digital cameras that I sent down to Potrero ahead of time. I published a small book through IPhoto, and each participant received a copy. An unexpected outcome was that they all wanted to read each others stories, thus expanding their learning.

Sarah working with the AM adult students in 2010

I returned to continue the project in February of 2011, working with more adults and more volunteers. The outcome was a gorgeous 70 page book, which is now being used for English lessons. We hope to continue the project, adding workbook exercises to facilitate learning. The best thing about Story Learning is that people learn to use meaningful words to talk about themselves and their own lives. Nothing could be more useful!

Reyna, Charlotte and Robert with the 2011 Story Learning books.

Patricio, Milena and Milagros pose with volunteer Sara and their books, very proud.