Bajo Tejares

Last Thursday we had the opportunity to go back to the little neighborhood just outside of San Ramon, Bajo Tejares and visit the Centro Comunidad Cristiana.  It was amazing to hear the story of how they began.  It really started with a group of considered citizens in Costa Rica and the USA.  They new of this community and wanted to find a way to help, so they started an after school program for children, and from there it grew into the program it is today, advocating for the neighborhood rights, drug and alcohol programs, teen programs, and it continues to grow.  One of the huge accomplishments was getting the government to assist with creating sustainable housing, and now many of the inhabitants have new, but very humble homes.  Though there is not enough for everyone, and the majority still live in tugurios, or homes made completely of corrugated metal, with dirty floors.

And many people have taken to renting out their back yards.  Necessity is indeed the mother of invention, right?

While the poverty can seem overwhelming, I was amazed about all the great programs they had created, many by there own residents, including a Co-op, or Cooperativa.  In the Co-op they grow veggies for the community.  Many of the women who live in Bajo Tejares work there.

In the greenhouse I also met this darling little boy.  When I asked him, "como se llama usted?", he replied, "me llamo bebe"  Awww...so cute!!!  His older sister later told me, its actually "bebe andres", and her name was "dulce maria".  It seems spirit and hope are unstoppable, even in the midst of extreme poverty...how beautiful.

We had the opportunity to do some more arts and crafts with the kiddos.  Jenna was enjoying making tortugas with these ones.

We also had the opportunity to talk with the social worker there, Jessica.  Wow, talk about an amazingly dedicated individual.  Her job seems gargantuan.  Aside from the normal social work stuff, like organizing programs, working with families to get their basic needs met and doing counseling, she has worked within the legal system, advocating for housing rights, etc.  AND she does all the program management, from writing reports and managing the financial component...WOW!  Here is Jessica organizing all the students.

And of course, I couldn't resist to reunite with my friend, Karla.  As she was leaving she asked me when I was coming back again, aww, the heartbreak to explain I would not be back.  I had to recall to all my generalist practice class about terminations.  But we ended with good-byes and I told her how wonderful it was to meet her.  She had told me earlier that day how she wanted to be teacher, because she loved to read...I truly hope that her dreams come true.

This past weekend we had some time relax in Grecia.  We celebrated my papa tico's birthday, made it on a hike to the waterfalls, Los Chorros, watched the world cup (viva espana!), it was great!
How can you not love it here when you wake up to this view every morning, te amo, grecia.

Here is a darling pic of my teacher Ariana and her son Justin...both gorgeous.

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And some hiking pics from Los Chorros:

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Jenna y Mariya:

El bosque:

Coming up this week:

• visit is a poor neighborhood in san jose
• more spanish classes
• and tiffany's quincera on saturday! 

Hasta pronto bloggies!!