Today we took our 40 Bryant sophomores to Las Obras del Espiritu Santo, a community service agency that helps the poor of San Jose, Costa Rica and, in particular, children, orhans, and the elderly. Our students were able to work in many different areas. They assisted in kitchen with cutting beets and hot dogs, cleaning tables and chairs, and washing many, many dishes. They assisted on the farm with cleaning out some of the animal pens, cleaning the water tubs, and picking up trash. They all worked very hard on the construction site where they shoveled dirt and rocks, put it into wheelbarrows, and brought it to the school that the people of Las Obras del Espiritu Santo is currently building. The students were also able to work in the nursery, playing with students and teaching them when possible, and in the orphanage where they played with the children, gave them extra attention, and read with them.
From a staff member's perspective, I can honestly say that I have never had an experience quite as moving and emotional as the one I had today. Watching our students -- all from different families, backgrounds, countries, states, and classes -- push wheelbarrows in the hot sun, teach four-year-old children how to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, or give clothes out to senior citizens who are in need, this was a truly amazing experience. I was also privileged to watch as many of our students put the Spanish language they've learned to good use as they spoke with children, the elderly, and the workers at Las Obras del Espiritu Santo, and even sang with them in spanish.
Through many fundraisers on campus during the fall semester, and through the generous giving of many of our students, we raised $400 to donate to Las Obras del Espiritu Santo. At the end of the day, three of our students presented this money, along with some gifts we brought from Bryant, to Anna, who was our contact and the person who coordinated our trip to Las Obras del Espiritu Santo. During this presentation, and during the words of thanks we received from Anna and the priest who founded Las Obras del Espiritu Santo, there were many emotional moments shared between the groups.
I can honestly say (although I'm not sure they'd all be happy that I'm sharing this), that all four of the facilitators and many of our students were in tears at the end of the day when we reflected back on the work we had done today. I (and the rest of the facilitators) left there so extremely proud of our students for giving their all today and for putting their hearts and souls into helping the children. I had teary moments many times throughout the day watching our students work with the children and put their all into what they were doing. At the very end of our day, twenty or thirty of the children from the nursery and the orphanage filed into the room and handed every one of us a thank you letter, gave us a hug and a kiss, and sat with us for a few more minutes. Watching our Bryant students hug the children, give them all of their love, and seeing the bond that had formed in only one day, was something that truly warmed my heart and made me so very proud to be an educator at Bryant University.
In Costa Rica, the traditional phrase that the people use is "Pura Vida," which is translated to "Pure Life" and means living a good, pure life and appreciating what you have. Today, I am proud to say that 40 Bryant students and 4 staff truly experienced Pura Vida and that it shone through each one of us during our time at Las Obras del Espiritu Santo. Thank you to our amazing students for your hard work, for not complaining even when you were hot and tired, and for putting your hearts and souls into our activities today. I am forever changed because of our experiences today and am glad that we were able to experience today's events together.
Meagan Sage
Assistant Director, Center for Student Involvement
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