Family and friends from Hickory, North Carolina, give their hearts and thanks to the community of Santa Cecilia, Costa Rica

After an eventful day of travel which included a quick stop at a gorgeous beach, we finally arrived at the mountain-nestled town of Santa Cecilia, Costa Rica. We stepped off the bus to the cheers of the young elementary students dressed in traditional Costa Rican attire, and it was clear we were welcome in this foreign place. When we initially stepped into the school where we would be staying, we were met with multiple dances, complimentary snacks of local guava and coconut water, and an opening speech that officially began one of the most unforgettable weeks of our entire lives. While we already knew that service would be a focus, it was made evident within the first day of our arrival that the people of Santa Cecilia also valued nature, community, and joy.

Heading into this week we assumed that we would be serving the community more than they served us. While we still served them through the aid in the construction of the court and the introduction of our own culture, they served us in so many ways. Whether this be through the giving of gracious gifts, the cooking of delicious meals, their work ethic, or the sharing of knowledge, we were overwhelmed with their heart-filled service.

Each morning we woke up to a meal prepared by the wonderful women in the kitchen, followed by the building of the court which began around 7:30am. Throughout the week we worked alongside the locals towards our common goal of a finished sports court. People like Piña (the contractor) and Poto (a local volunteer) amazed us with their endurance, cycling through buckets of sand, gravel, and astonishingly heavy bags of cement. This, along with their innovative assembly lines of materials, were ways that we learned how to work on the construction site, which in turn made the construction efficient and cohesive.

Once daily construction was finished we would exchange our respective cultures through a multitude of activities. Most of these exchanges were with the local kids with sports like soccer, football, and frisbee, bead-making, and a couple instances of making s’mores. One of the last activities we would do every day was a dance lesson instructed by our talented translator Fly, and her mom Mey. During this time we would not only learn dances from them but also improvise our own cultural dances. These intriguing endeavors further strengthened our connections with the community and engaged our curious spirits, while also ensuring we felt at home.

The natural landscape and agriculture of Costa Rica was another reason why we felt so welcomed and at home. We tried an array of local fruits like Manzana de Agua and Passionfruit which were foreign to us but were an integral part of Costa Rican agriculture. We walked through lush grasses to Poto’s farm to harvest fruit and had the opportunity to watch sugar cane be processed for use. Our exposure to Costa Rican wildlife and natural habitats continued to remind us of home when we visited a breathtaking waterfall. North Carolina is home to many waterfalls, so we felt very comfortable cooling off in the clear water. These amazing features of the Costa Rican countryside showed us why nature is such a big part of this community’s culture.

One of the reasons this community’s culture was so full and vibrant was because of their display of joy in everything they do. There was never a dull moment in Santa Cecilia, everyone was always excited and eager to collaborate with each other. The dancing and sporting events were great examples of this because everyone worked with a willingness to serve, as well as having genuine love and care for everyone around them including our group.

At the beginning of the trip our two groups were very different. The community was a close knit family, while we were a mixed group of friends and parents. Yet by the end of this incredible week, we felt like one big “familia.” We think that the biggest reason for this new connection was the lessons that we learned from the community. They taught us that it is possible to be happy and find joy in any circumstance, as well as how important living in the present and connecting with the people around you can be. As we go back to the United States, we will try to apply some of these things to our own lives, and spread joy to the people around us.

Now that our adventure in Santa Cecilia is over and we come back with an abundance of memories, lessons, and stories, we want to give thanks to our phenomenal leader Emma, who made this experience truly unforgettable. Also to Andrew, who was the one who orchestrated this whole trip. Most of all, we give our hearts and our thanks to the one of a kind community of Santa Cecilia, and the people who graciously welcomed complete strangers, somehow turning us into a forever family. It’s not “goodbye” or “adiós” but rather “we will meet again.”

Pura Vida🤙

~ Andrew Hata, David Holtzman, Ethan Melon, Hickory Family & Friends Trip - June 2026

Volunteer Quotes:

My favorite memories from this trip center around the people -  I don’t think I have ever experienced such hospitality and warmth from people I have never met. We felt loved. ~ Brooke H.

We have been accepted in ways that transcend nationalities, language and backgrounds. I learned that socio-economic status is really not important to a community of believers with a mission. I learned how to embrace and how to be embraced by those who really care about you. ~ Adrian H.

This trip is such an eye-opening experience of getting to truly know a place by immersing yourself in the community and culture while getting to serve alongside locals. ~ Cate H.

This trip reminds me that every time you truly lose yourself in service you walk away feeling like you got more out of the experience than those you served. ~ Cameron C.

Through this small family community I learned that the world is full of human beings experiencing the same basic needs in this life. We all need to be vulnerable in such a way that differences such as language don’t stop the understanding of someone’s heart. Our world is a better place when we know we are all in this life together. ~ Daniel S.

It is so great to be able to spread love so easily and freely here. Everyone is excited to see each other and works so hard for each other, whether it’s preparing food or building a basketball court. ~ Noah C.

Love others no matter the difference. I want to thank Courts for Kids for giving me this amazing opportunity and for helping me change my life forever. ~ Jack P.

Community Quotes:

There are no words to describe the wonderful bond the community formed with the volunteers; every single one of them is lovely, and one of the best parts of the project was spending time with them. ~ Eliza Z.

We made friends, we smiled a lot, and we learned that there are many good people who are committed to the development and well-being of communities. ~ Damián A.

What I loved most was seeing my community come together and living alongside people from another country. ~ Fly C.

As a community we gained a deep sense of affection, solidarity, satisfaction, and camaraderie among people of different nationalities—foreigners who came together to share in the lives of a simple, humble community—that was beautiful. ~ Eyter C.

For me, what I liked most was the wonderful group of volunteers—so helpful, humble, and respectful—and, of course, the great work and awareness of Emmita, as we affectionately call her. ~ Maikol

I am grateful to Courts for Kids for the wonderful projects they bring to communities. ~ Guadalupe L.