Tico teens and projects

• Pcvgirl's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Naranjo

Trip Start Jun 26, 2006 Previous
Entry Trip End Aug 14, 2008 Next
Entry

  Naranjo, Costa Rica
Monday, October 30, 2006

I went to a retreat for young people here in Naranjo this weekend. I enjoyed it a lot, and I think the two things that surprised me the most were these: One, this retreat was just like any other retreat in the states. I donīt know what I was expecting, but we did all the same things- songs, quiet time, group sharing, etc. Two, this is going to sound silly, but I found it fascinating that the teens ate the food. It was typical Costa Rican food, but in American standards, itīs not cool. Or at least not what I consider cool. Cool things to eat for lunch- sandwiches with normal things like cheese and processed-chemical induced sliced deli meat, Lunchables, an apple, pear, grapes or a banana that has no spots. You definitely donīt bring rice or a drumstick to school for lunch, or heaven forbid, leftovers. I realize that I hardly ever have a normal lunch, but there you have it. Iīve never been a part of the cool crowd when it comes to sack lunches. (Youīre cool if you buy your lunch.) Anyhow, they did not seem to mind eating the typical food like tamales, gallo pinto (type of rice and beans eaten at every meal), and arroz con pollo. I think the problem was that I associate eating comida typica with the older generation. I thought about the food Iīve eaten at previous retreats: sloppy joes, hanburgers and hot dogs, spaghetti, mac n cheese etc. Then I realized that the teens were USED to eating this food and that they like it.

Anyhow, I noticed that my personal space since Iīve gotten here is definitely shrinking. Iīm not sure if this is good or bad, just an adjustment we can put down as cultural sensitivity. The teens showed each other a lot of affection. Lots of hand holding and hugging and kissing on the cheek and patting on the knee/arm. Maybe it was the retreat atmosphere that made them closer to each other than they would normally be. The degree of affection shown was that, in American standards, normally shared between family members or boyfriend/girlfriend. I adjusted my bubble of personal space so that I didnīt feel completely out of my element when approcahed, and while I wasnīt as affectionate as everyone else, I still managed to recieve kisses on the cheek without giggling and to even give a spontaneous hug.

As for what Iīve been up to work-wise:

Tutoring people independently in English. Micro-enterprise coaching. Still integrating into various community groups (ie- going to meetings) but since itīs almost Dec, itīs hard to start anything, and I feel like itīs a bit early to start any projects with them yet.

Working with the Municipality. Two projects- one is with the streets dpt. The streets here have neighbohood committees that are in charge of cleaning them and keeping them nice-looking. But they often lose motivation and let the streets go into disrepair. So what Iīm doing is helping them to stay motivated about keeping up with the maint. With this, I can organize confrences or meetings or community awareness events to help the committees. I helped with a charla (speech/meeting) last week about maint of the streets, but canīt really start on anything since 1. itīs almost Xmas and nothing gets done between Dec-Jan, 2. the mayoral elections are coming up in Nov and the office change happens in Feb and the person in charge of my department is running. So poco a poco. (little by little). Right now, Iīm helping the social promoter with the awareness classes given in two elementary schools. I enjoy meeting the kids. In the last class, they all, by their own accord, all introduced themselves in English.

Other project- The Officina de Mujeres (Office of Women) is having a craft fair in Dec. Women who make crafts and have micro-enterprises are all invited to participate. Iīm part of the committee and am working on the entertainment and publicity. We only just got started last week, and I hope we manage to get everything done by Dec because I feel like we donīt have much time left. But there you have it, Ticoīs are more lax about getting things done. Itīs a lesson in patience.

In the library, Iīm giving monthly origami demostrations, helping with the weekly storytime and just started a project looking for computer donations from US schools. We wonīt really start this project until next week, though.

So all in all, I find my days filled. Have a spooky Halloween and eat lots of chocolate for me!!

Print this entry Share San Jose hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry