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.

Abriendo Mentes: Helping children succeed

Written by Melissa Howard

I am an ESL Resource teacher in the states and came to Potrero to volunteer with Abriendo Mentes to learn more about teaching English as a second language. Because of Abriendo Mentes, my teaching has changed for the better. I was blown away by the students’ abilities with AM! Students came on their own everyday to learn English with AM. The staff, interns and volunteers have such a passion for teaching these children giving them so much energy and strength to learn each and every day. Although my time with Abriendo Mentes was only a few short weeks, I plan to continue to help raise money and volunteer next year with this wonderful program. I believe in this program and that it will continue to strive and teach the children of Potrero the language and skills they need to succeed in their lives.

AM: Short Time, Large Impact

Written by Megan Hettwer

To be honest, I didn't quite know what to expect when I first arrived in Playa Potrero. Its safe to say that my decision to come to Costa Rica to volunteer with Abriendo Mentes (AM) was an impulsive one - and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

For volunteers looking for an organization that will fully integrate them into the community they are serving, look no further than AM. Meradith and Drew truly give their volunteers the opportunity to take on a variety of tasks within this rapidly growing organization. From teaching English classes, to organizing field trips, writing blog posts, and even overall organizational management, volunteers are encouraged to participate in any component of the organization that interests them. If all of that isn't enough to keep busy, Potrero is simply a wonderful little place to pass away the days- a town where everyone will come to know your name and you'll come to love everyone there.

All I knew was that I wanted to have an impact, even for a short period of time, in the community I was working in. Thanks to Meradith, Drew, and the entire AM team, I was able to do just that!