Develop Leaders in At-Risk Communities, Costa Rica

Doing the community social work required by my university at Boy with a Ball Costa Rica was the first experience I've had working in socially at risk communities. Me, being a person from a middle-class family, have never had to deal with the typical questions that many of these families question in their day-to-day life like, 'What is going to eat my family today?', 'How will I get to school or work?', 'How do I protect my children from so many vices that exist around us?' Witnessing this at first was really shocking for me and what most shocked me was how happy, friendly and generous the communities are despite this. One of the experiences that was most impregnated in me, was one day that I went to the Los Cuadros community with a team member to a meeting in the house of one of the students in an English group so they could practice the language and spend time together. We went into a small house and we were received with a smile, empanadas and coffee. It was during this meeting that really I realized everything that these mothers have gone through. Children being threatened, recruited to sell drugs, or disinterested in studying or abusive spouses who have abandoned them with more than one child to raise. Despite all these factors, these women continue to struggle to get a education and be united. These women work, study and care for their home at the same time. They can really be considered heroes and for me it was a great privilege to be invited in their home and listen to their stories. Experiences like these and many more is why volunteering is so important. One learns so much from these children and adults and we must do our best to share what we have learned also.