University of Miami Football in San Rafael de Sabalito, Costa Rica

After a short flight from Miami International Airport, we landed in San Jose awaiting the welcomes of the Courts for Kids staff. Our next step was an eight-hour car ride full of laughs, trying new fruits, and getting ready for an experience like no other. When we finally reached our destination of San Rafael de Sabalito we were welcomed by the locals, and the delicious food that they prepared for us. As the night went on, we saw the traditions of locals come out with the gathering of so many in the community and we ended with one of the older children who got up to perform “Let Her Go” by Passenger to get us ready for our first day of work on the court.

Working with the locals the following days taught us invaluable lessons about compassion, patience, and acceptance. Every single local we spoke to had a smile on their face and cared about the conversation – a quality far too uncommon in America. Whether we were hauling cement in wheelbarrows, loading up the mixer with buckets, or taking a break under the trees, the locals were always by our side. Through the days in which we built the court, we made unforgettable memories with the people working with us.

Day in and day out we began to see the “simple” life in full effect. Locals were happy to be working with us and sharing their culture, especially their love of coffee; we got to experience how coffee is made from the picking of the bean to the packaging of certain types of coffee based on elevation and taste. It was so cool to be fully immersed and understand what these people took pride in throughout the community. We also got to try some of this high-quality coffee and to see the different flavors from the most bitter to the sweetest.

Due to all the hard work we were doing, “tengo hambre” was a frequent term used by a lot of us on this trip and, thankfully, Marina, the woman whose house we had been staying next to, always had a prompt response. Whether it was arroz con pollo, ensalada de lentejas, or the best pork you will ever eat, the food was always readily available for us to eat. We shared meals with many of the locals, bonding over how much everyone loved the food. As many of us are picky eaters to begin with, we had to take an extra-large leap of faith to try these new foods. The food never disappointed whatsoever and we always had more than enough to fill our stomachs. 

Being completely immersed in a community meant getting involved with the school kids of Sabalito. We got to take a tour of the nearby high school and really got to see the everyday life of these kids and how they develop skills at this school to have success in the community. From growing and roasting coffee, to taking cooking classes, and even raising and taking care of cattle and pigs, we noticed how these skill sets were essential tools the students needed to build their lives as adults in this San Rafael de Sabalito. It was so cool to end the tour by playing basketball, volleyball, and sharing conversations with them on their own school court.

This trip really showed us the hard work and dedication this small community put into their lives, exposing how happy of people they really are. Coming from the United States, we expected this town to carry a lot of sadness and be distraught, however, they seemed to live happier lives than us in the U.S. are living. The perception Americans have of developing countries that they aren’t a favorable place to live truly needs to change because, even though the stress can be seen through their faces, houses and town at times, they still live a much happier and enjoyable life compared to the majority of Americans. When we thought we were giving to them, in reality they were giving to us.
~ Judd Anderson, Adam Booker, Hayden Lowe - University of Miami Football players

Volunteer Quotes:

“A Courts for Kids trip gives a new perspective of life and makes you more appreciative of the things we have. Just a humbling experience overall.” - Seuseu “SJ” Alofaituli

“I learned that I can brighten peoples’ days up with just a smile, that I can work with anybody, that I can change peoples’ lives and that I’m a very loving person.” - Herbert “Third” Scroggins

“I learned from the community that you can love someone unconditionally without knowing anything about them. This community welcomed all of us with open arms and made it feel like home for the short time that I was here. I'm forever grateful for their gratitude and love.” - Elijah Heatley

“This trip helped a group of almost complete strangers put their guards down and connect.” - Mike Rumph

“Some of my favorite memories from this trip are the connections we made with the local community workers. We did this almost ritual with the fiber mesh where we would bring everyone who was working on our mixer and together we all threw in the fiber mesh. I felt like that really brought everyone closer.” - Ferras Isa

“A Courts for Kids trip may be an opportunity for you to find out who you really are.” - Dylan Day

“I think the biggest thing I learned from this community is how important meaningful relationships are. Making time for not just your people but other people as well.” - Justin Fitzpatrick

Community Quotes:

“It was a great experience, to see people of different nationalities united for a single project, to see the community as united as I had never seen it before.” - Idilia Barrantes Borbón

“This experience impacted me deeply because the volunteers and teachers of Miami were extraordinary as was the in-country director and the founder of the organization. It was very nice to see the local volunteers enthusiastic and committed, both boys and girls, women and men. The collaboration of the municipality was indispensable. Now to see the court finished is a dream come true and even more to see the court every day with people playing basketball. Now the community has a dignified and safe place to practice sports. We are very motivated and we continue to make improvements in our community. It was an unforgettable experience.” - Marina Barrantes Borbón

“A Courts for Kids project is a very enriching experience.” - Lidia Chacón Rodríguez

“This experience was stupendous and I am filled with a lot of pride.” - Jose Guevara Vasquez

“It was a very beautiful experience to be able to spend time with very nice people from another country.”
- Elieth Barrantes Castillo.

“This trip changed me by allowing me to trust in the good intentions of so many people I’d never met, and more importantly, to trust in the power of a team that believes in each other. The Hurricanes and the people of San Rafael de Sabalito have this in common and will continue to have success because of trust and teamwork.”
- Jack Singlested, Peace Corps Volunteer in San Rafael de Sabalito