Develop Leaders in At-Risk Communities, Costa Rica

The ENYLB team, volunteers and program participants are the heart and soul of the Foundation. It is a pleasure to introduce you to some of these uplifting individuals, whose stories demonstrate what is possible with dedication and courage.

Meet Monica. She is 18 years old, from the community of Los Cuadros. She first came to ENYLB by attending tutoring sessions, which played a vital role in finishing her high school degree. During these tutoring sessons, a tutor mentioned the opportunity volunteer, which spoke to Monica’s strong desire to help others in her community. Monica began tutoring younger kids and in 2014 became the Foundation’s volunteer coordinator.  She fulfilled this role for 9 months and at the end of 2014, was contracted as a program assistant for the Foundation, the first step in her fulfilling a dream. Monica also helps with the girls groups in both communities.

When asking Monica about the Foundation’s work, she said that she loves it not just because she works there, but because many of the kids from the communities do not see a light, opportunity or open doors in their lives. This is what the Foundation shows them. “Life is like a staircase, and the Foundation is a bannister. It does not move you but it is there to support you along the way. We give people the tools they need. People want to be involved and continue doing more because they see people in their community growing.”

One of Monica’s goals was to work for the Foundation and she has already achieved this. “If I do not strive to be a better person every day, how can I inspire those from the communities to do the same?” Monica has many dreams and knows that to reach to her long term goals she must go step by step. Her first goals are to finish her education, which she knows she needs to move forward. She wants to continue to work and live to give other people powerful life tools and set an example. In her life, ELYLB has supported and inspired her, seeing people move forward from situations even harder than hers. “If I can, you can”.