San José, Costa Rica (March 2024) - Service Trip Recap
Dates: March 9 - 17, 2024
Location: San José, Costa Rica
2024 is off to a great start with our first team serving Roblealto Childcare Association, our partners in Costa Rica! Our team stayed busy throughout the week working on painting, construction projects, and volunteering in the school classrooms.
Read the daily recaps and watch a video testimonial below! ⬇️
Day 1
After a smooth travel day for the team that flew out of Raleigh, NC they made it to Costa Rica safe and sound and we're welcomed by a delicious meal made by our partners! ✈️💚
Day 2
The team went to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park and got to experience the Costa Rican rainforest, its diverse animals, and powerful waterfalls! 🇨🇷🌊🌿🦋
They took a trip to get ice cream and buy some groceries for the team house which included Pejibaye and Granadilla. 🍨🛒
Back at the team house, the team enjoyed a Spanish lesson from fellow team member Daisy! They ended the evening with a delicious homemade dinner and a reflection on their first full day in CR, followed by a hilarious game of fishbowl! 🍽😊
Day 3
This was the team's first day volunteering at Centro Educativo Niño Feliz and they loved it! They started with an orientation from our partners, and then got to work!🥰💪
Their project for the week was to prepare what used to be a classroom into a new computer lab for the kids! They started with removing all the furniture out of the room and sanding the walls. At the coffee breaks and lunch, they got to learn more about their new friends and the work they do!🛠☕️
After lunch, they went back to sanding the ceiling and plastering the holes in the walls. The team got to try out construction skills some of them had never done before! After that, they had time in the classes with the kids doing arts and crafts, legos, PE class, and soccer recess!🎨⚽
They ended the day with a delicious chicken pasta meal and "melocotón" tea! 🍑
They had their evening reflection which ended with a team member testimonial! 💙💚
Day 4
After breakfast, the team sorted some donations and then started the day at the care center with a presentation on child sponsorship from our partners. Then, they got straight to painting and took snack and ice cream breaks throughout the day. Some of the students jumped in and helped paint while bonding with the team. 🍦🎨
In the afternoon, the team supported some teachers in the classrooms and then joined some volleyball and soccer games. 🏐⚽👩🏫
A delicious Costa Rican Shepard's Pie with Maracuyá dessert set up the team for an evening of reflection and testimonial to end the day. 🥧🍋
Day 5
The team continued their painting project throughout the day with a side project to organize the kitchen pantry and clean the kitchen.👩🎨👩🍳
After lunch, they went to the grocery store to get supplies for tomorrow’s visit to the Roblealto Bible Home!🏪🛍️
The evening ended with a delicious chicken pie, the evening reflection, a special testimony, and a hilarious game of Mao!💞🃏
Day 6
This day was filled with sports, service, yummy food, new faces, and new sites! 💚
The team visited Roblealto's Bible Home and spent some quality time with the house moms and then joined their homes for lunch. They took a tour of the school which ended in helping out in English class. 🎨🖌️👩🏫🏫
The team helped clear the drainage at the school before heading into town with the kids to have basketball practice. 🏡🏀
Back at the Bible Home, they played a "mejenga" with the house dads and kids under the beautiful sunset! ⚽🌄
The day ended with hot seat, testimonial, and writing thank you cards! ✍️🙏
Day 7
The team finished their painting and remodeling project in the future STEM room for the care center! 🎨🏗️
They were surprised with thoughtful gifts from the kids and the staff, thanking the team for their service during the week. 🖼️💌
After difficult goodbyes with the kids they connected with throughout the week, the team went to join the teenage ministry - PROAA. 🥺
At the Friday night youth group meeting, the team led a "Human, Cage, Tiger" activity followed by a Pizza Party sponsored by our team.🐯🍕
Day 8
The team walked to a local park and made friends while playing volleyball and playing on the playgrounds.🏐
They visited a mall and explored more of the culture (and stores of course)! 🛍️
They explored downtown San Jose and two different artesanal markets where they bought souvenirs and gifts! They enjoyed dinner at a fun food hall! 🇨🇷
The day ended with worship and mingling with the International Youth Group kids and then doing their final team evening reflection!🫂
Day 9
After an eventful week, the team had an early wake up call and a smooth travel day back home! ✈️
Kaylea, a trip participant, shares about the impact the trip had on her in this short video!
What a great team to kick off the new service trip season with! We look forward to what is to come from our future teams in 2024. You can read the blog recaps from more of our trips here.
