Time is funny here in Sarapiqui...days go by slow, peaceful, and tranquil-but my 5 months here have flown by, and I am not looking forward to my departure in April. I have come to love Sarapiqui and have made it my home. I have met so many beatufiul and interesting people here who have greatly effected my life. But we must all move on and explore the many beauties that our planet has to offer.
We have just welcomed 6 new volunteers and one staff member to the center...thing are always changing here at the center which keep things fresh and exciting.
Jennifer Vargas changed roles from Intern to our lovely receptionist here at the center. She is a native from Sarapiqui and just graduated from La Universidad de Costa Rica on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Leah Josephson has joined us from Saint Paul, Minnesota as our "flaca y alta" ESL teacher and Scholarship Coordinator. Heidi Gramlich has moved from Fort Ann, New York and is our new ESL Coordinator. After just 1 week students are already loving classes...we have even had to open up new classes because the word got out that we have 2 awesome teachers now at the center.
Lee Caldwell is our Ecotourism volunteer and is from Forsyth, Georgia. February, March, and April are all full of ecotourism and community service activities so Lee will be busy helping Kattia (the Ecotouism and Community Development Coordinator).
Joanna Colon has joined us from New York, NY and is our After School Program Coordinator...she will be working with not only Chilamate this year, but also with Cristo Rey and Linda Vista.
Our short term volunteers have been great additions to the center. Anne Louise Carney came to the center for 5 weeks and worked with ´Las Morphas´. Las Morphas is a women's group that comes to the center to make their jewelery and crafts and then sell them in our artisan gallery. She taught the women how to felt so that they could sell different products. They loved ´Ana´ and still ask about her daily. Casey FitzGerald has just joined the team as our short term volunteer. He came as a birder but we found out he has MANY other talents as well. He will be working in the schools here on any projects that are needed from a 'handy man'. He's already fixed the bathrooms at Linda Vista and the center's bikes and he has only been here 2days! Awesome Casey. So glad to have them all on board!
It's been great showing the new volunteers around Sarapiquí...taking them to the river, to the Pozo Azul waterfall, to OTS, white water rafting, and showing them the Sarapiqueño social life have all been highlights since my return in January.
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