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Abriendo Mentes
Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
May 16, 2012
Sundays are good for lots of things here in Potrero: taking a nice walk on the beach, participating an action-packed game of soccer, enjoying a delicious batido (smoothie) in
Recap of Kids Classes- January-March 2012
May 07, 2012
First session break has commenced, giving us a chance to reflect on the past couple months and how much we have accomplished in our first session. Between the everyday classes,
March 21, 2012
An exciting new position has opened up at Abriendo Mentes. Due to our growth and success, we have recently released a full time position for an onsite Project Director in
A Healthy Community is a Happy Community
January 02, 2012
When it comes to health and nutrition, Potrero is struggling like communities all over the world. Obesity is an epidemic among adults and is creeping into the lives of children.
November 01, 2011
Written by: April SimonHaving stalked Abriendo Mentes online for nearly nine months, I thought I knew what to expect upon my arrival in Playa Potrero. Reality, as I am often
October 07, 2011
Written by Drew RaglandWhat do diapers, fishing line, a car tire, a toilet seat, shoes, and ceramic tiles have in common? They were all among the various articles of garbage
Story Learning Workshop in Playa Potrero
August 29, 2011
Written by Sarah LittlefieldStory Learning is a way of teaching adults using their personal narratives to stimulate learning. I have used memoir to help illiterate people learn to read, to
Happy Birthday Abriendo Mentes!
August 11, 2011
Written by Meradith Leebrick, Co-FounderA little over two years ago, on a hot sunny Costa Rican Saturday in early June 2009, Drew and I found a tiny little note pad
My Experience with Abriendo Mentes, by Shelia O'Brien
July 28, 2011
My experience at Abriendo Mentes was nothing short from amazing. The level of energy that the staff,interns, and volunteers exuberate is inspiring and it definitely motivated myself to come
Crocodiles, boats, and swamps at Hacienda El Viejo
June 22, 2011
Written by Alexandra CarelliChildren squealed and peaked through their spread fingers as a 6 foot long crocodile leaped from the water to catch a flopping fish in its gigantic jaws.
May 19, 2011
Ever since the rush of tourist traffic during Semana Santa, Potrero hasn’t looked quite like itself. The endless stream of families, campers, and day trippers brought copious amounts of trash
We Couldn't do it without Them! A
March 12, 2011
By: Megan HettwerSimply put, the generosity and selflessness of people can be amazing. The continuous outpouring of support that Abriendo Mentes has received from the community of
Libros para Todos - Books for Everyone!
December 15, 2010
Friday, February 11th kicked off the distribution of the Libros para Todos book drive, organized in our area by Las Catalinas Development and Bahia del Sol
Abriendo Mentes partners with Womanars to promote the power of women and girls around the world
November 05, 2010
Tilde Guajardo emailed me in May, she had received my contact from another woman in the Potrero area - I was surprised and thrilled to get
Abriendo Mentes hosts a childrens' community art workshop
September 29, 2010
During August, we were thrilled to welcome Narda Boughton to Potrero for
June 15, 2010
3 goals, 3 months, 103 women and children in Playa Potrero need our help.With 1/3 of the 2010 Abriendo Mentes year successfully completed, we are happy to announce we have
Happy 1 year anniversary Abriendo Mentes!
June 11, 2010
On June 8, the Abriendo Mentes Organization marked its one year anniversary with a celebration in the Salon Comunal of Playa Potrero with a piñata, snacks, guest visitors, and several
Abriendo Mentes penpal program
June 01, 2010
In the past few months, A.M. has strengthened several relationships with other organizations. Unique Adventures Costa Rica has sponsored a pen pal program in which A.M. students have been
Abriendo Mentes celebrates a successful beginning of 2010!
April 21, 2010
It has been an amazing and busy first three months of 2010 for Abriendo Mentes and the children of Playa Potrero in Costa Rica. 7 volunteers, 2 field trips,
First week at Abriendo Mentes
Abriendo Mentes, by Amara Stuehling
May 22, 2012
Today was the first full workday I have seen at Abriendo Mentes since people were away last week and I only arrived on Thursday. This morning we had a staff meeting with all of the volunteers and I went to all of the kids’ classes in the afternoon. I also had my first meeting with Meradith, the director of AM, about my goals and interests in my time here. I didn’t get to start many of the tasks I am working on because the internet was out this afternoon, so I am writing from home on my computer (I can use the internet tomorrow to post this). Now that I know a little bit more about the organization, I wanted to explain some of the programs that run weekly and some...
Arrival adventures in Costa Rica
Abriendo Mentes, by Amara Stuehling
May 20, 2012
It’s been just two days since I left the U.S. and so much has happened already! I arrived yesterday at my host family in Portero, where I will be teaching English for the next 3 months. Since so much has happened in the first few days, I ‘m going to write about my stories and adventures so far. Most of this is about how what I did the first day in Costa Rica and how I got to Portero, so I'll post more soon that covers more about Abriendo Mentes and what I'll be doing here. Here's an overview of my first few days:Monday:My adventures really began Monday night when I realized that I was going to Costa Rica in the morning. With all of the whirlwind packing, moving, finishing...
Preparing to leave- Guidebooks, passports, finances, etc.
Abriendo Mentes, by Amara Stuehling
April 23, 2012
Yesterday my Lonely Planet Costa Rica travel guide came in the mail. For some reason this made my upcoming trip seem more real than any of the other travel preparations I have been doing (including having my passport come in the mail, going to the travel health clinic, or beginning to make a Costa Rica pile of stuff next to my suitcase!) When I studied abroad in Peru, my friends always joked that I could be in a Lonely Planet ad because I used it so much. I actually have a picture of me reading the guidebook while sitting in front of Macchu Picchu in Peru. Do I look like a total tourist? Yes, of course. But I also learned a lot about the history of the site and great...
Leaving in a month!
Abriendo Mentes, by Amara Stuehling
April 08, 2012
Today is April 8, 2012 and I found out that I received the Omprakash grant a few weeks ago. A lot has happened in those few weeks and I’m still kind of in disbelief that I’ll be volunteering in Costa Rica for 3 months this summer. Currently I’m finishing up my own classes for the semester, grading and preparing for the Overseas Project Workshop in two weeks at work, completing student teaching in 4th grade, and trying to not put any of that stuff off because planning for the summer is more fun at the moment. I’m excited about the trip, but there’s a lot to do before I go. I bought tickets yesterday though, so that’s a start!I’ve been putting off writing this first story for the website because...
Community Support at it's Finest!
Abriendo Mentes, by Rachael Sine
March 20, 2012 | 1 comment
One of the ongoing goals of Abriendo Mentes is to raise local awareness of our presence in Potrero. This past week we had many wonderful opportunities to share with the community about the organization. The Mardis Gras parade and the Fiestas del Toros were both in town, and our students and volunteers were present at both events spreading the word about AM.In the midst of our busyness, it became apparent of how much the community already supports AM and the ways in which we are trying to empower its members. Just last week, a group of mothers whose children come to AM classes approached Meradith. They wanted to create an “Abriendo Mentes Moms Group” to give help in any way they can. Numerous hotels and local businesses...
Why Abriendo Mentes Invests in Women
Abriendo Mentes, by Rachael Sine
March 08, 2012
All over the world people will be celebrating today, March 8th, as International Women’s Day. It is a day to recognize and honor the strength and ability of women as invaluable contributors to society. Abriendo Mentes (AM) would like to take this opportunity to highlight the amazing women in the Potrero community and express why it’s important for us as an organization to invest in their growth and empowerment.The women of Potrero are hard working. They work hard at their jobs, in their homes, with their children, and with loved ones. They are our loving neighbors, our helpful friends, and our gateway to the community. However, these women often feel marginalized and oppressed due to the machismo society in which they live, their relationships or...
Best Time Ever. Abriendo Mentes Volunteer Post
Abriendo Mentes, by Michelle Fonseca
February 12, 2012
I volunteered with Abriendo Mentes for an incredibly amazing, and way too short, two weeks. After reading how the organization was started, I knew I would easily connect with, and learn a lot from cofounders Meradith and Drew. The duo’s dedication and motivation to improving the quality of education and life for the people of Portrero is contagious.My main responsibility while at AM was assisting the classroom director, Anna, teach the day’s English language lessons and activities with other volunteers. Every day, each class begins the same way - the students are given small white boards along with expo markers and write down what “Today is, Yesterday was, and Tomorrow will be.” After practicing writing the appropriate days, the class sings the “Days of the week” and the “Months of...
Third Session: Big Changes Can Happen Quickly
Abriendo Mentes, by Shannon Ghere
November 07, 2011
As the Third Session of Abriendo Mentes’ programs has come to a close and our fourth and final session of the year is underway, it is a marker for me to look back at the enriching time I have spent in Costa Rica thus far. I arrived on the dusty roads of Potrero in the beginning of August, just before the the Third Session began. Recently graduated from college, I was full of desire to make real change. I was ready to begin, but truly had no idea the journey I was embarking on.Potrero at first seemed quite different from the life I was used to, but I quickly fell in love with it. The town is comprised of Guanacastecos, some of Costa Rican origin, others immigrants from Nicaragua. Poverty...
A Day for Children
Abriendo Mentes, by Shannon Ghere
October 24, 2011
Mother's Day and Father's Day are well known in the United States, but here in Costa Rica they add a new holiday into the mix, Children's Day! Recently, Costa Ricans celebrated the national holiday of Dia de los Ninos to celebrate all the children of Costa Rica. Often on this day children receive gifts from their families and there is a small town celebration. Of course, this holiday did not pass by quietly at Abriendo Mentes!To celebrate the children of Potrero, Costa Rica Abriendo Mentes hosted a Carnival in the community salon open to all the children of Potrero and beyond. More then 50 children came, many of them arriving early (which those who have spent time Costa Rica know is something rare!) to stand outside the door, excitedly watching...
Christmas in September
Abriendo Mentes, by Emily Hric
October 10, 2011
I arrived in Potrero late in the evening almost two weeks ago. The drive to the coast from San Jose was long and arduous, but luckily my driver, Miguel, had a sixth sense for avoiding the thousands of pot holes that lined the dirt road into town. Tired, and a little apprehensive, I settled into my new casa , not knowing what to expect from Potrero or my time working with Abriendo Mentes.The following morning, I was greeted bright and early by Lynn, another volunteer, who was tasked with giving me the official Potrero tour. I was introduced to the three super markets, which all seemed to carry the exact same products (though I would soon learn which super had best for produce and which had the best selection of...
The Simple Joy of Arts and Crafts
Abriendo Mentes, by Shannon Ghere
August 29, 2011
On Friday, I had the opportunity to lead an art class with a fellow volunteer, Lynn. We helped a small group of children create and decorate picture frames and then create paint or draw a picture to put into the frame. I was surprised at how much fun everyone had with the activity, including myself.In the United States, I always love when my nephew brings home a craft that he had made at daycare and the pride he has in his creativity and the final product. We usually hang his “works of art” on the refrigerator. While this seems like such a simple part of a child's life, in Portero the children have little opportunity and resources to develop their creativity skills and create a final project they can be...
Looking Back from America
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
August 24, 2011
What did I find in Central America? What did I do? What did I change? These questions have been swirling through my mind as I have been attempting to find a semblance of normalcy and make my way in a new city. It's, interesting, looking back and trying to place myself on those dirt streets in that ramshackled village with children swarming at my feet and waist speaking in their imperfectly beautiful Spanish. It's strange, looking back out my floor to ceiling windows to the blinding chaos of the one and only New York City and placing myself on the deserted beach near where I saw that dead monkey hanging on the wire. Who did I become during those months? Who am I now?There is no doubt in my mind...
Abriendo Mentes
Abriendo Mentes, by Megan Hettwer
August 10, 2011
To be honest, I didn't quite know what to expect when I first arrived in Playa Potrero. Its safe to say that my decision to come to Costa Rica to volunteer with Abriendo Mentes (AM) was an impulsive one - and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.For volunteers looking for an organization that will fully integrate them into the community they are serving, look no further than AM. Meradith and Drew truly give their volunteers the opportunity to take on a variety of tasks within this rapidly growing organization. From teaching English classes, to organizing field trips, writing blog posts, and even overall organizational management, volunteers are encouraged to participate in any component of the organization that interests them. If all of that isn't enough to...
Starting the Photo Pals program.
Abriendo Mentes, by Jonathan Katzenberg
June 23, 2011
Hi, I’m Jonathan. I’m an Omprakash Photo Pal’s grant recepient for June 2011. I am currently living and working in Playa Potrero, Costa Rica with Abriendo Mentes. We are a community development program in Guantacaste region, situated in the northwestern coordinates of Costa Rica. Our town has approximately 400 people, 100 of which attend the single school in the center of town, The Potrero School. This building accomodates ages 3-12, and fortunately Abriendo Mentes has the esteemed privledge of working with approximately 80% of these young minds.Over the last few months, my relationship with the AM kids has formed through my camera while I photograph the organization. To my bewilderment, the vast majority of these kids pose better then any models I have ever worked with. I even...
Playa Potrero Garden Project: Problems in the Garden!
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
June 20, 2011 | 1 comment
There is yet to be a project on the face of this earth that is seen through to completion without some trials and tribulations, and our garden project is no exception. Yesterday when I went out to do the daily watering, I was greeted by the horrific sight of stripped pepper plants and disappearing bean sprouts. Where just a day earlier stood a healthy, stoic clump of leafy green peppers, now stood little more than a green stick, stuck pitilessly in the dirt. And to make matters worse, the little bean stalks that had so ceremoniously poked their heads out of many corners of the garden (apparently they grow well in Costa Rica), had been reduced to barely visible white stumps. All of my trash hauling, bed...
Women's Ideas for the Women's Group
Abriendo Mentes, by Sara Llansa
June 17, 2011
From the interviews that we had with some of the women in Potrero we got a good idea of a direction for the group.Ideas for the Women’s Group from the Women in Potrero1. What are some of the most important situations that women in Potrero need to deal with?• Work: There aren’t many options for women. The only options according to them are cooking, cleaning houses, or working in the house.- One of the women said that it was very necessary for there to be a club for women in Potrero so that the women can do economic initiatives together.- So that they can benefit from tourism the women would like classes on how to make artisan crafts.o Cecilia knows how to sew (we can ask her if she can give sewing...
Women's Empowerment Group!
Abriendo Mentes, by Sara Llansa
June 17, 2011
Several weeks ago a few of us volunteers began planning for the possibility of having a women’s group in Potrero. We had several meetings together in order to figure out the questions that we would ask the women, as well as how we envisioned the group would be. We all agreed that we wanted this group to be for the women by the women. We, the Abriendo Mentes, volunteers wanted to be more like facilitators than the actual leaders of the group. Last week we kicked off the women’s group with an art class designed by Reshma. Right before the class started I began talking with a few women that were waiting for the class to begin. I wanted to see what they wanted...
AM .. words from the founder ..
Abriendo Mentes, by Reshma Kulkarni
June 14, 2011
Abriento Mentes last week entered its third year, with a bunch of new activities taking place. The community garden project, the Photography class for kids, various activities in environmental awareness and a Women’s group focused on women empowerment! The hard work that the founders, Meradith and Drew have put in speaks for itself! I took a quick interview of Meradith and here is what she had to day …What was your most compelling moment at Abriento Mentes ?Meradith Leebrick: We had just started teaching at the Sol de Mar restaurant. About 35 kids attended the classes by then. We were still thinking about what to offer as an organization. However, the restaurant closed for October and we had to move the classes to the community center which...
Playa Potrero Garden Project, Part 3.
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
June 12, 2011
This week we made incredible strides in the development of the Playa Potrero Garden Project. On Monday, we still had a borderline vacant lot with a few piles of stones, but by Saturday we were watering plants, turning compost, and building a beautiful stone path. Watching it come together piece by piece, and knowing that at one time this was little more than an idea floating around in my overzealous brain, was an absolutely enlightening experience.Monday, Jonathan and I set out building the herb and vegetable beds out of rocks that we purchased and some that we collected. I had a vision of creating a free-form, organic space with winding paths and concentric circles filled with herbs, trees, and sprouting beans. Rocks were the perfect medium to...
AM reaches out to Costa Rican tradition!
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
June 06, 2011
Here at Abriendo Mentes, we spend a lot of time preparing the youth of Playa Potrero for the future. We teach them the language, skills, and concepts that will allow them to propel themselves into the developed world, and leave their lives of poverty and discomfort behind. However, quite often when communities are rapidly industrialized, trademark ties to the traditional culture are completely lost. Songs, recipes, clothing, and dances that have been a hallmark of the community for generations are dissolved into a new culture of ipods, skinny jeans, and cell phones. The youth become distracted by their new access to the greater globe, and no longer have an interest in learning the secrets and trades of their elders.This problem is something that we, as an organization, have a deep...
Hiking, Cooking, Dancing, AND Teaching?
Abriendo Mentes, by Sara Llansa
June 01, 2011
These past few days have been filled with activities. Last Saturday the Potrero Public School had organized a field trip to Río Celeste, which is a beautiful park about 3 and a half hours away from Potrero, and they invited the Abriendo Mentes volunteers along. We left Potrero around 5:30 a.m. and returned around 7:30 p.m. It was a long day at Río Celeste, but it was a good one. The kids and their parents were able to explore a place they had never been too, and some of them really came to value the beautiful nature that their country has to offer. Some of them, even that adults who have lived in that area for their whole lives, had never visited a waterfall so...
Juggling Projects
Abriendo Mentes, by Sara Llansa
June 01, 2011
Well it's 8:30 p.m. here and the village is already quiet. My host family is already in their PJs, and because I'm getting used to life here so am I. I've spent this first week trying to figure out what my role will be with Abriendo Mentes. Last time I wrote I explained that I would be working on grant research, but then the next day Meradith asked me to help with the adult curriculum. I was very excited at the prospect of getting more involved with the adult classes so I jumped at the opportunity. They have a lot of worksheets that can be used in an adult English class, but they had not been able to organize all of these worksheets into a...
The Last Bus Stop
Abriendo Mentes, by Sara Llansa
June 01, 2011
I'm writing from the living room of my Costa Rican family's house. Yesterday, when I arrived in Liberia, one of the main cities in the Guanacaste region, I was amazed by how different it seemed from Southern Costa Rica. The first time I went to Costa Rica was when I was 16 years old on a Putney Language Learning trip. On that trip I lived in a small village in the South.This time I'm living in a small town (about an hour and a half from Liberia) called Playa Potrero. This region of Costa Rica is a popular tourist spot for Americans and Europeans alike. The organization that I have come to work for has been operating in the area for about 3 years now, and...
Plastic Bottle Planter Project: Part 2
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 29, 2011
On Friday, dirty hands and smiling faces were abound in the Salon Comunal, as the AM students packed their planters with soil and seeds for the second part of our plastic bottle project. We laid out the seeds, Popsicle sticks, painted bottles, and a bag of soil and instructed the kids on how to properly plant a seed. Here is how we did the project:1. Gather the painted bottles, Popsicle sticks, markers, seeds, and soil.2. Instruct the kids to choose a type of seed, and write the name of the plant on their Popsicle stick. (Be sure to monitor this step closely, as we have a few “Omboosi Guiam” species in our garden now).3. Have the kids fill the bottles just over halfway with soil, and poke three...
Ugh, mud puddles in the classroom.
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 26, 2011
Last night marked the official beginning of the rainy season here in Playa Potrero, with hour upon hour of insanely heavy downpours. Unfortunately, it also marked the beginning of the problems associated with heavy rains in a poorly drained environment.Today, when we arrived at the Kids Club for our T-Shirt Project, the place was literally filled with mud. As I unlocked the door and pushed it open, I was greeted with sheets of dirt caked on to the once pearly white ceramic floor. The muddle puddles extended from the front door, to the classroom, to the bathroom, to the storage room in a thick sludge of wet, grassy, disaster. It was heartbreaking.I started trying to clean the area with a broom, but too no avail. This...
Here, Life is like a Leaky Faucet
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 09, 2011
Last night, I had a dream about leaving Costa Rica. I dreamt that I said good-bye to all the beautiful faces, beaches, moments, and memories; that I packed up my things and my dog, and headed for the states. I dreamt of leaving these dirty streets, the pesticide covered vegetables, the stomache-aches and sunburns, and in my dream, I wept. When I awoke, I realized that I only have 8 weeks left of this trip. I am more than two months in, I am over the halfway point.The thought of going back is terrifying. Not because I don’t want to see my family, friends, Nala, and start an actual “job”, but because of what I will be leaving behind.Central America has stolen my heart away....
Plastic Bottle Planter Project: Part 1
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 07, 2011
As you may already know from my earlier posts, Costa Rica has a significant waste management problem, and one of the most prolific culprits is the plastic bottle. To help combat this issue, and to teach the kids about creative recycling, we decided to do a Trash Art project this past Friday with plastic bottles. Since we are in the process of starting a community garden, we thought it would be cool to use the plastic bottles we found in the garden area to create planters, and have the kids paint them as a fun, creative art class! Here is how we did the first part of the project (collecting, cleaning, painting):1. Collect as many plastic bottles as you can: any shape, any size, and color. It is best if...
HOW TO: Get your organization in the media!
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 04, 2011
In the past two weeks, Abriendo Mentes has appeared in Costa Rican News Sites 7 times, and that isn't counting aggregator sites. Through sending out Press Releases, creating relationships with local news sites, and relentlessly writing articles, Abriendo Mentes is beginning to make it's mark on the media. And this hasn't just given us a few extra fans on facebook, people are inquiring about helping with our Garden Project, or having us speak at workshops about our projects. Being in the media can really help your cause; it is definitely worth it to put some time into this outlet. Here are few steps to creating a cohesive media kit that can be used each time you have a project that you feel deserves some attention: 1. Create a media list.-Research all of...
Down with Domestic Abuse!
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 03, 2011
Today, I was made aware of another layer of problems in Playa Potrero, one that often flies under the radar of the local gringos because it is one that can not be seen or heard in the streets: Domestic Abuse. We were meeting with a prominent community leader, Elizabeth, a woman who has made it her own crusade to act as a surrogate teacher and parent to many of Potrero’s offspring. We were discussing the backgrounds of the AM students, when the conversation abruptly shifted. Elizabeth spoke passionately about the families that live in a small squatter community outside Potrero, with entire families living in one room and many children never attending school. She said that when she sees some of the kids that are bound to this godforsaken area,...
Playa Potrero Garden Project, Part 2.
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 03, 2011
Seeing one of your ideas come to fruition is one of the most satisfying experiences one can have. From a random thought, to a plan, to discussions, to organizing, to actually sticking the first shovel in the dirt is a mental and emotional roller coaster that is seemingly controlled by some unseen force. You never know what parts of your idea is going to see the light of day, where it is going to fail, who is going to laugh in your face and tell you no, and how it is ever going to come together; but somehow, with determination and little passion, you pull it off.Before I came to Potrero, I was living in South Carolina for around 8 months. While there were many things I loved and loathed...
Playa Potrero Garden Project, Part 1
Abriendo Mentes, by Alexandra Carelli
May 03, 2011
After a few weeks of discussions and chasing the President of the Potrero Association, I finally got the OK yesterday to begin a community garden project in the village center. Needless to say, I am so stoked! The garden will be a great opportunity to teach the kids about organic gardening, permaculture techniques, composting, recycling, and taking care of the earth.While Costa Rica, and all of Central America for that matter, is traditionally an agriculture based economy, at this point most communities have been pushed into the tourism sector and as a result the earth around them suffers. Not only do tourists from the developed world come baring unchecked levels of garbage, but as the people themselves adopt practices from industrialized nations they become disconnected with the environment and rely...
Abriendo Mentes Volunteer Story
Abriendo Mentes, by Emily Wirtz
May 02, 2011
If you're looking for a volunteer experience that gives you the opportunity to be fully integrated into the community; that is offered at no cost; where the impact being made is not only obvious but entirely gratifying; Abriendo Mentes is it. AM fills such a huge need in Potrero, and it's apparent from day one just how much AM's presence means to the community. Apart from providing volunteers with the opportunity to truly make a difference, Meradith and Drew also make the experience as easy, comfortable, and fun as possible. For a solo traveler and first-time international volunteer this was the perfect first experience, and I thorougly enjoyed every day of the three months I spent there. I will definitely be a lifelong supporter of Abriendo Mentes and absolutely look...
Volunteering with Abriendo Mentes
Abriendo Mentes, by Jan Jacobs
April 11, 2011
Volunteering with Abriendo Mentes was a tremendous experience in many ways. Meradith and Drew have tremendous energy and their knowledge of how to engage children in learning is impressive. They have been masterful at obtaining and utilizing a wide array of resources to provide more and more opportunities to the children and adults of Playa Potrero. Being able to live with a family in a Tico town gave me an appreciation and understanding of the culture of Costa Rico that was invaluable. Meradtih chooses host families carefully, and she and Drew are very responsive to any need or concern that arises. What they have created is remarkable and I am so fortunate to have been able to be involved with Abriendo Mentes for even a short time. Perhaps the highest...
A volunteer's experience teaching with Abriendo Mentes
Abriendo Mentes, by alexander gomez
March 18, 2010
This is a story written by Abriendo Mentes volunteer, Maggie Roberts, in March 2010. Volunteer teaching for Abriendo Mentes has been both an incredible and formidable experience. The children here need many of the resources that kids in the US take for granted. But every day I see so many kids who brighten when they walk into our classes. I have fallen in love with all of them, watching each kid grow a little bit more every day. They differ from an American child in the sense that their critical thinking skills and creativity have not been nurtured. I immediately noticed that they desired positive affirmation, love, and one-on-one teaching. The mothers of the students have told us of the immense progress the kids...