Obras del Espiritu Santo

Today we had the pleasure of visiting Obras del Espiritu Santo in San Jose. We began with a tour of all the facilities, which encompass about a whole block of the city. We split into groups of five or six people each and helped out with many of the different areas of the organization. Our group began in the dining hall, where we cleaned the kitchen, scrubbed the tables and chairs, and swept and mopped the floors. We then had the amazing experience of meeting many of the children who live at the organization's orphanage. We played games outside such as soccer and hot potato (where you had to get up and dance or sing if you lost!). The kids loved having their picture taken and also taking pictures of others. They also seemed to be very fascinated by our bottled water. They wanted to drink it and play with it as well. Who knew something so simple to us could be so entertaining to them. We broke for lunch and listened to a presentation from Anna, our main contact at the organization, and Gabby, who is in charge of the children. It was an enlightening presentation that showed us their true passion for the organization and it's cause. After lunch we split back into our groups. Our group went to the school and helped clean out two of the classrooms. We swept and  mopped the floors and washed the desks, chairs and windows. Then we moved to the restaurant, which is a fairly new edition to the organization where all proceeds benefit Obras. We peeled and sliced plantanes, washed and broke apart fresh lettuce from their small farm, cleaned the kitchen, and peeled garlic. Then we headed back over to the dining room where many of the groups participated in a social hour for the elderly. We danced with them and also served them coffee and snacks. Our final activity of the day was playing with the younger children in the nurseries. We practiced our Spanish and did our best to communicate with them. Our favorite part was when all the children decided they wanted piggy back rides and we danced around in a circle with them on our backs singing. Sadly, our day with them was coming to a close. We walked back over to the restaurant where we presented Anna with a monetary donation and a video camera. AJ and his family also donated a whole suitcase of soccer uniforms and equipment. It was a touching moment for our group and theirs, as many thanks were given. As we got on the bus and thought our day had concluded, the children and Father, who is their priest and director, boarded to say their final goodbyes. We exchanged hugs and kisses and the children handed out heart cutouts to each of us. The priest gave us a final blessing and thanks for our time and effort and the children left the bus to stand on the sidewalk and wave goodbye. The day proved to be a truly enriching and inspiring experience that touched us all. We will always remember those children and how they touched our lives today. We hope that they will someday be given the opportunity to grow and prosper as we are and will take advantage of that opportunity. Now we look forward to our volcano visit tomorrow morning and a visit to Intel in the afternoon.

Courtney Simao and Christine Poll