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.