Upon arrival at Santa Marta de Limoncito, Costa Rica, it did not take long before we were enthralled by the palpable aroma of rainfall, lavish rolling hills and mountain ranges, and the ambiance of the kingbirds chirping, cows mooing, and leaves whirring. We were welcomed by locals with plentiful servings of home cooked, traditional food and a cultural dance performance by the neighboring indigenous Ngäbe community. Following the long day of travel, settling in was a priority in preparation for the work days to follow.

Unexpectedly, our first real challenge of the journey came the same night when we were met with hoards of abejones de mayo (which we lovingly called, ‘Junebugs’) residing on our mosquito nets. Without realizing it, this moment set a precedent for us thirteen boys to overcome our fears, starting a story of loving brotherhood.

During our stay, we not only poured concrete, but more importantly our hearts into the community. Our exploration and daily challenges (tasks given to us by Courts for Kids to create connections with the community) educated us on the humble culture of Santa Marta through practicing our Spanish in engaging activities, along with their traditional chores and ways of life. One particular challenge showed us the essence of the community from their heartwarming response to the question “Find a local hero and interview them.” The community gave examples of heroes such as firefighters and war heroes, but stated that there were no heroes here because everyone works together and considers themselves to be one.

We had vivid moments where we moved outside of our comfort zone. Some days we would start off as hesitant and clumsy dancing, which quickly turned into a vibrant merengue and bachata (Traditional Costa Rican dances). Bonding over shared music through the hours of the work day and throughout the night, we exchanged and learned insightful parts of each other’s cultures.

Upon finishing our work on the athletic court for the community, we were given a day to explore the amazing town of San Vito. The day began with exploring a world renowned insect museum and ended with eating flavorful food and heaps of candy. Through this trip, we learned yet again another important part of Costa Rican culture, but this time outside of the community, making it immensely meaningful.

As we part from our brothers and sisters in this community of Santa Marta de Limoncito, we carry the lasting efforts of our intertwined cultures. Friendships and memories have been created, alongside with the hard work and efforts put into the athletic court for years to come and thousands of people to enjoy.
~ Matthew Crafts, Joseph Gasiorowski, Dante Steinhoffer, and David Mina, Bellarmine College Preparatory volunteers

Volunteer Quotes:

Courts for Kids puts an emphasis on doing the project with the community which gives us opportunities to connect and learn from the locals. This creates an environment that is fun and supports growth. ~ James J.

I feel like this trip has changed how I view other countries and how I will better improve my prioritization of relationships. As I view the locals always talking or playing, I better grasp the importance of strong connections. ~ Alex C.

I feel like this trip has changed me in ways that I didn’t expect. I thought the point was to see what it’s like to live less fortunately, but in reality it’s so much deeper than that. This trip taught me just as much about myself as it did about others. ~ JJ S.

What I understand more clearly now is that you don’t need wealth to be happy. Human connection and bonds are infinitely more valuable than any amount of money. Happiness comes from being around your loved ones and fully embracing every moment or experience. ~ Tomás J.

Many immersion trips advertise that the group will connect with locals, but fail to do so while getting the job done. This trip, on the other hand, was incredibly detailed, allowing us to participate in many activities and challenges with the locals. For the first time, I feel that I have made genuine connections with countless individuals on this trip. ~ David M.

Community Quotes:

What we liked most was the excellent organization, the cheerful atmosphere, and the volunteers' willingness to work side by side with us. This project will foster a sense of unity and empowerment over the long term, demonstrating that by working as a team, we can bring about significant changes and improvements in the community. ~ Jocser

What I enjoyed most about the project was Living together, sharing experiences, and working together in an atmosphere of respect and harmony. In the long term, the project will foster greater unity, respect, and trust among neighbors. We gained new perspectives and insights into other cultures and different ways of working. ~ Ashley