Turning Point

In the last couple of weeks, I have experienced a turning point in my experience here in Costa Rica. It all began with planning a bird-banding workshop with my supervisor Pablo (AKA Chespi). Here, I was able to utilize my experience in planning, logistics, and shopping. I started to feel less “out of my element”, and a bit more confident that I would be able to walk away knowing I did a good job.  Since this is my first job in a new direction and a new career path, I have taken a few blows to the ego. My crash course in ornithology and living in a country of a different language has been challenging, to say the least.

The bird-banding workshop took place in the highland region of Madre Selva, a place I had previously banded, and have since fallen in love with. The attendees of the workshop were the students my co-worker and I have been working with at INBio Parque. They are a variety of wonderful Costa Rican people: some studying Biology; some studying Natural Resource Management; and some simple getting certification for jobs they already have.

During the week of this workshop, I was also given the heads up that I would begin working on the project I was hired to do, which was to help in the development of an education program for middle school kids to learn about birds and conservation. The first stage in this program required me to spend a day in the elementary school (of focus) and to observe the way in which classes are taught; and how the school functions as a whole. Luckily, I was able to steal one of the bird-banding students (who is proficient in both English and Spanish), to aid me in understanding the language. Without her, I know I would have been lost (Thanks Sara!).

Grades 4-6 getting an exam review

The school is located in the small town of La Trinidad de Dota (google it… I dare you!). This town consists solely of a school, a church, and a store. The school only has two classrooms, where 3 grades are taught at once.  In the classroom I observed, there were 16 students, which were grades 4 through 6.

Now I am not saying I had preconceived notions of what these students would be like, or what their level of understanding would be… but what I can tell you, is that by the look of the town, I knew that funding was surely an issue the school had to deal with on a regular basis. My mistake, was assuming that this would have an effect on the quality of education the students were receiving.

From listening to the students, and briefly talking with them, I realized they had been receiving a better education than I had received in Canada at their age. Children of ten years of age were able to name bird species by their scientific name, and discuss issues like alternative energy, or the pros and cons of our ability to clone. I was amazed, and proud of them for having a more rounded understanding of science, than I, an (almost) 30-year-old woman.

Students excited to talk to a "Gringa"!

I left the school completely inspired, and amazed. My world had truly been altered. I felt the most “in the right” in my life about refusing to accept the dominant idea of “development” that we are constantly force-fed in North America. That fact that there is evidence that money, and money, and more money isn’t necessarily what is needed for a functioning nation. That kids can grow up bright and strong without making everything in sight “marketable”.

Okay, so I know I may have lost some of you along the way, so I will do my best to explain. One of the most exciting things I learned about the school system here in Costa Rica is that there is a nutrition program that ensures that all the students get a healthy meal while they are at school. There is no coke, or band name juices. There are no contracts with fast food companies, and there is only unprocessed whole foods offered. At the Universities (which I had the pleasure of visiting), the government subsidizes the tuition, and for the remaining amount required of the students (aprox $125.00 USD) there are also a number of grants and scholarships that anyone can (and do) get. It was also really excited that, on campus, there are ALSO no contracts with fast food companies, and the food is made on sight and fresh. Not to mention… affordable. Breakfast costs about $1.25, and Lunch around $2.00. I have realized that education (and health) are the cornerstones of the nation. They have been able to give their children a well-rounded foundation, without the selling out to Coke for brand new gym equipment (they play outside!). In Costa Rica, there is a 95% literacy rate across the board (which is more that I can say for some areas of Canada...ummm Canadian Government, our reserves are part of our country too!). 

Leaving the banding workshop in the Highlands

So, this is all beyond the point of my story. I am writing to you, dear readers, about the turning point for me here in Costa Rica. Up until now, I have been not quite a tourist, and even less a resident. I have been floating from one bunk bed to another, not yet really knowing any Costa Rican people, or speaking the language… until now.

My week in the highlands had given me a chance to spend time with more people of Costa Rica. I made friends with several of the students, as well as a new coworker (from Nicaragua). They have so easily welcomed me into their lives and their homes, despite our obvious limitations in communication.

Dinner with Angie's Family in Turrialba

More recently, I had also had the great pleasure of spending the weekend with one of my new friends. She had invited me into her family home where she grew up and spent her childhood. This experience has been overwhelmingly heart warming. I sat at a dinner table with her entire family, and shared a home cooked meal. On the Sunday, I spent the day with them in a National park, and sipped wine near a waterfall. I really couldn’t believe the hospitality shared with a perfect stranger. To be in the family home of a friend, I have realized, is something I have yet to do with some of my closest friends in my home country.

Mid-afternoon rest in Guayabo National Monument

This turning point for me has been seeing the most beautiful side of the country that goes beyond the mountains, volcanoes and silky white beaches. The most beautiful part of this country is the people and their honest warmth, hospitality, their openness to friendship. It is the love and respect they express for their families and  neighbors.

Thank you Costa Rica, for giving me this experience.

Stay tuned…

Best meal (or general food) of the summer… I had been saving this one up!!

Can you name this fruit?