Camino Claro Blog

Spring greetings from Escuela Camino Claro!

What’s been happening at ECC the past few months?

‘Tis about time for some ECC updates, tidbits, news, and other anecdotes.

Earth Day

ECC celebrated Earth Week by joining in on a community beach cleanup, followed by an Easter celebration at the community center. Lisa facilitated several Earth Day- inspired activities, turning the day into an educational and fun-filled celebration. As you can see, bilingual bingo finds its way into every celebration…

Farmer’s Market

The Farmer’s Market continues is the Pura Vida fashion (relaxed and non-hurried). Now that several of these monthly markets have taken place, it’s catching on! A great way for local ticos, foreign residents, Guaymi indigenous, and tourists to share their goods and produce. Plus we all need a stimulus in the economy, right?

Other Classes and Activities

ECC’s bilingual programs and daycare continue on with great success and increasing attendance. We wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the help from The EDGE Charitable Foundation and their generous donation of school supplies.

Creating a Thank You banner is a great excuse for an art project…

…The final product!

On a four-month-long journey via car, plane, taxi, bus, and rickety wagon, The EDGE school supplies have finally made it to Escuela Camino Claro in Pavones.

It doesn’t look like much, right? A few cardboard boxes, some packages, but believe me- a little goes a long way for this grass roots non-profit community education center. Notebooks, paper, pencils, pens… these bountiful treasures help support Escuela Camino Claro, bring the community together, and nourish our souls!

The EDGE Charitable Foundation

The Early Development of Global Education (EDGE) Charitable Foundation welcomed Escuela Camino Claro (ECC) as a charity member in March 2009. The EDGE Children for Children Charitable Foundation, an international program of the Miami-based foundation, provides environmental education, advocacy, and services to children globally while fostering connections with children in the US. ECC is proud to be among their list of much-deserving international charity groups.

Their spring fundraiser, The Green Masquerade Ball, and partnership with Staples, Allied Paper, and Board Member Jose Martinez resulted in these school supplies arriving on our doorstep lats week!

Thank You The EDGE!!

Escuela Camino Claro Fundraiser & Silent Auction

December 2010

Bring on the New Year!

What a grand way to wrap up 2010 and introduce ECC’s next academic year by hosting a community event for a good cause, as well as having a party! This is the second official fundraiser held in Pavones, among the very community that ECC strives to serve, making this event extra special for everyone involved (and abroad!).

Lisa Thrash, the current manager/administrator at Escuela Camino Claro, did a great job organizing the silent auction and putting the whole thing together. Lisa, Raphel and I wish we could have been there!

Words of gratitude

Lisa would like to thank the following individuals and local businesses for their help and support during this event:

“The ECC Fundraiser was a great success! A great big thank you to all our wonderful friends who donated their goods and services; those who spread the word and those who attended.

Just to name a few:

La Pina Restaurant for hosting the fundraiser and donating 40% of the sales to ECC (Rosella, you cook exquisite Italian food)
Sassy, my right-hand (wo)man
Mira Olas (one- night stay)
Katie at Pavones Yoga Center (massage)
Maruja, guided horse tour
Bar La Plaza (dinner for two)
Cafe de La Suerte (lunch for two)
La Sirena (Brazillian dress)
Ebenezer (dinner for two)
Clear River Adventure (bike/kayak rental for two)
Pavones Hotshotz (souvenir photo cd of Pavones)
Casa Tranquilo (one night stay for two with surf lesson)
Brent’s Dents ($50 ding repair)

Pura Vida and Happy New Year

From Escuela Camino Claro

Lisa held down the fort during the rainiest rainy-season ever (but don’t we say that every year?). This is not an easy task, but when the sun begins to shine and the walls dry out, spirits are lifted once again.

An update from Lisa~

Although the open hours have decreased in the past few months, the children continue to enjoy ECC on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even through the rainiest season on record, they are still arriving! We have added on a Mystery Center: a weekly theme-inspired creative center that inspires the children in different ways. We’ve already done some painting and gardening projects, and activities like a science lab and a Christmas art project center are in the works for December. Of course, the coloring room, game table, puzzle table, and reading center (where they either read a book to one of the volunteers or they can have one read to them…..depending on the age) are ongoing.

Funds are very low in the community due to the extra long rainy season and minimal tourist money coming in, so the families have really enjoyed ECC’s free programs. Needless to say, the paid language classes dwindled down due to that as well, however they should pick up in a month. The rainy season has been so intense it wasn’t practical or possible to start the Farmer’s Market….but now that the sun has come out, it’s time! The 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month will be our Farmer’s Market day!

In February, with the help of Jaime and Gerardo, we will be incorporating a new program into ECC’s repertoire: A homeschooling program called Maestro en Casa, designed for the numerous high school drop-outs. Escuela Camino Claro will provide the space two to three days a week for a few hours. The tutor will be Gerardo who has a finger on the pulse of the community and knows who needs the assistance and encouragement. Gerardo was last year’s ESL teacher for youth and adults- and they love him! Also, we have four laptops that are just waiting for our computer genius, Dean, to arrive back in town so they can come back to life. Computers have a knack for dying on us in the tropics. Then ECC can offer a free cmputer/Internet lab for the Maestro en Casa program and the Guaymi Indigenous who just can’t afford the high priced Internet service in Pavones. We’re getting ready to do a fundraiser…will keep you posted as it manifests!

Holiday Wishlist

For anyone in the area, the school has a wish list: Spanish books, bookshelves, a floor lamp or large lamp, metal bars for two windows (for the school store). For most of you who don’t live in or around Pavones, donations are always welcome as we continue to pay rent, and electric, phone, and internet bills.

To donate via Paypal (safe and secure!) go to ECC’s website here or contact Haley and Raphel at info@caminoclaro.org

To contact Lisa Thrash: call (506)2776-2245 or (506)2776-2243, or email rainbowcountrysurfers@yahoo.com.

We are on Facebook: Lisa Thrash and Escuela Camino Claro. See recent photos and… say hi

Thank you sun for coming out! and thanks to all of you who have supported ECC in the past, those that continue to support us, and those that will in the future!

Pura Vida, Lisa

Another successful Anti-Tuna Farm Festival

May was a month of action for the Pavones community as a whole. Pavones hosted quite possibly its largest festival of the year in opposition to the proposed tuna farming in the Golfo Dulce. We had much support in gathering the town’s signatures on the petition; I won’t lie, getting everyone together for an awesome party puts people in a helpful mood. There was great food, delicious chicha (tastes like kombucha, feels like moonshine), rappers and clowns entertaining children for hours on end, a baile that went too late for my tastes these days, and other amazing things I can’t put into words. Gerardo took great control of the events organization and everyone worked together to volunteer their time. It was really cool to see everyone coming together to throw this big awareness festival. A fantastic mural is near completion on the once-white wall of the fishermen house – thanks everyone who worked on that (I know I saw Aurora, Alex, and Hadas there!). Although things seem to come together at the last minute here, I must say the Tuna Festival was a fantastic success.

ECC’s classes continue to go well

I know Lisa’s sure are: to paraphrase her students’ sentiments, they really like: “all of the games, singing, and food.” I can attest to their delightment in these things as I often hear the enchanting little voices singing such titillating tunes as “Clean Up! Clean Up!” and “London Bridge.” I won’t lie; I’ve even had fun playing some of the games – and eating the snacks! I never knew I liked raisins so much… Lisa has combined her two bilingual classes into one and they sure are swell. Speaking of swells, they even dedicated themselves to a pledge of environmental stewardship and conducted quite the beach clean-up – some tourists and locals even volunteered their abilities at picking up rubbish.

My classes are still going strong. Leon, my private home school student, and I become a more proficient studying machine as the days progress. He’s doing a good job at keeping concentrated on our work, even when I know at times images of waves are rolling through his head. Adult computer classes have finally collated into one Thursday evening class. Everyone has been making leaps and bounds in computer comprehension and that includes the kids’ computer/photography class. Of course, this month was exciting for us as the students have been creating a documentary focused on “No a Las Granjas Atuneras” (Anti-Tuna Farm). Gerardo’s Adult English class is still great fun. Lately, students have been working on putting together a travel guide in English, combining both English practice and computer literacy.

Other community happenings

Las Gemelas public school is chugging along like the little engine that can, and has. We’ve really come along way in our community garden there! Just today the students of Las Gemelas got their hands dirty planting a variety of different flora. En lieu of Dia de los Arboles several trees were planted, along with herbs, vegetables and even ornamental flowers.

Escuela Camino Claro’s benefit dinner up at El Castillo Restaurant was quite the fiesta. There was an appetizing spread of pizza, pasta, burgers, and make-your-own-salad with a dozen ingredients! We had a great turn out and a great time. It was so fun to be in such a swanky little place nestled up in the hills of the jungle. Everyone’s support and energy made all of us at ECC feel that proverbial warm and fuzzy feeling.

This month we have had several different volunteers from the tourist community volunteer at the public school’s library and during ECC’s English classes, which was a great surprise and help. I feel like this might be a great untapped resource as a lot of people feel like giving back to the community they are visiting. There may be more tourist volunteers to come. Of course we would like to thank everyone for coming and helping us to be a positive community.

~Jacob

Seasons greetings from Escuela Camino Claro!

Dear Friends and Family,
I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy, and excited for the madness of the holiday season and the approaching New Year! ECC’s little elves (i.e. Raphel and Haley) have been hard at work in our winter workshops (i.e. our Northwest homes) as we prepare for next school year in Pavones, Costa Rica. Before jumping into 2010, let me take a moment to recap some of what happened last year in ECC’s second official year as a non-profit community education center.

2009 was characterized by two main successes. First, Pavones’ growing acceptance of ECC into the small community and, second, ECC’s expansion in all areas of service: more classes, more students, and more variety. Because of last year’s growth, I can say with great pride that ECC has accomplished one of the main goals set out by the board and has advocated further educational options for the Pavones area by offering an education center that does not pursue its own agenda but responds to the requests, needs, and opinions of the community.

A few highlights from 2009

•    Increased monthly enrollment. The average number of student enrollment was 24, almost doubling our 2008 enrollment. In our peak month this year, we had 45 total students attending classes at ECC! Our Pre-K/Kindergarten class (ages 2-5) was the largest and had the most consistent enrollment.
•    Increased number of native Costa Rican students. On average, Costa Ricans comprised 70% of enrollment this year, thus demonstrating ECC’s growing acceptance into the native community.
•    Going green. March 2009 earned us our first “sponsorship” from the umbrella corporation The EDGE Charitable Foundation. It was the turning point for our decision to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner as well as to incorporate environmental education into our classes.
•    Community involvement. ECC played a role in several worthwhile community events and projects, such as helping to organize Pavones’ first recycle system and participating in the Anti-Tuna Farm Campaign celebration. Also, last June ECC celebrated its 2nd annual Global Services Outreach Program, a community service and cultural integration excursion for high school students. Thank you to the six Kalapuya High School students and adult chaperones from Eugene, Oregon who did some amazing work in the community!

What’s in the stars for 2010?

Next year we are looking forward to integrating other passionate, creative teachers and volunteers to help teach ECC’s classes, including ESL, home school, and computer/Internet literacy classes. We are also eager to expand our involvement in the community, particularly by increasing environmental awareness, starting with our students and reaching into the greater Pavones area. We hope to see a more organized and sustainable recycle system next year.

Thanks to fundraising efforts and support from generous individuals throughout the past few years, ECC was able pursue our mission by providing scholarships to all students in need and to families with multiple children enrolled. We are dedicated to providing the same services to the Pavones area by working with members of the community who share our vision and goals of broadening our community education center.

In order to meet the high demand for classes, offer classes at an affordable (or free!) rate, AND provide scholarships to students in need…

WE NEED YOUR HELP…SPONSOR A STUDENT!

Despite how hugely successful our Pura Vida Fundraiser has been in the past, the decision to not have one this winter means that ECC will rely 100% on the support and contributions from individuals. Fortunately, ECC has a much broader support base that has now grown beyond our local Eugene, Oregon fundraiser: we feel confident we can depend on people like YOU to help ECC continue to flourish. This year ECC is offering a program that allows our supporters to sponsor a student for a month or a year (see previous post). The more donations we receive, the more students ECC can enroll with an adjusted tuition. With your help, we are confident ECC will continue to survive and flourish in 2010! All donations are tax exempt.

On behalf of the students and teachers of Escuela Camino Claro, as well as the Pavones community at large, we thank you from the bottom of our heart for your kindness and support thus far.

May your holiday be filled with much happiness, joy, and PURA VIDA!
Sincerely,

Haley Whitley, Co-Founder
Raphel Weber, Co-Founder

‘Tis the season for pumpkin bread, spiced wine, and many other holiday-ish things no matter where you may be: Costa Rica, the Northwest, or the North Pole. Raphel and I are here in the Northwest, however, where these things are plentiful (as well as rain and cold weather, yuck). Pumpkins are as abundant here as good left-hand point breaks are there.

We like to keep you all in the loop, so here are some tidbits of what’s been going on during the Escuela Camino Claro off-season.

Pre-K classes are still going

Thanks to Lisa Thrash, our new pre-k teacher! Although we already mentioned this enthusiastic ECC parent stepped in last September to fulfill the need for additional help, she deserves to be mentioned again because she is doing such a great job keeping the school house in order and taking care of a growing pre-k class.

Lisa Says…

“A native to Florida, I feel lucky to be part of the community of Pavones and be part of the group effort in preserving it for future generations. I’ve been teaching and having fun with children since I was 14 years old, whether was tutoring elementary students after school, being a Spanish instructor in the Florida public school systems, or acting as P.T.O president. Now I find myself intricately involved in my young children’s schooling. While my wonderful surfer/chef husband and I pursue our dream of living a sustainable life in Costa Rica, I have had the pleasure of home schooling my two children, ages three and nine. I love reading, history, nature, dancing, traveling, photography, animals, and hanging out with my family.”

February 2010 will bring a rush of new students and classes, so we are grateful and happy to have Lisa on board.

ECC all over cyberspace

Something that comes along with living in the US: countless online social networks right at your fingertips, it’s almost impossible to not get sucked in. So we did. And here is what you should know.

The GreenWave Blog is a newsletter that inspires green-minded people and gets them connected with eco-friendly organizations and events. It’s worth checking out, even if you’re not in the L.A. area (just click on the link above).

You can see ECC mentioned on the GreenWave Blog by checking out The EDGE September 2009 Newsletter that is posted. The EDGE is helping ECC by raising funds and gathering supplies in their 2010 Donation Drive. We put together a wish list a while back and school supplies can now be donated to the Foundation or directly to us!
We are collecting eco-friendly: pens, paper, notebooks, paints, coloring pens, crayons, musical instruments, educational CDs, educational toys, CD player w/ speakers, pre-K/Kindergarten workbooks, etc.
All donations are tax-deductable.
Donors can either email ECC directly at info@caminoclaro.org or The EDGE at priya@theedgeeducation.org.

Are you a Facebook junkie like everyone else? ECC can be found there too, are you surprised?
Click here to see ECC’s Facebook page and subscribe or become a fan
Click here to see ECC’s Cause page, and cyber-hangout with the other 180 members, or even donate some $$$, if you are so inclined. These are both in their rough-draft phases, fyi.

What’s next?

So you see, we have not been idle these days: Raphel and I are alive and kicking during the three months hiatus or “summer break” from classes. Most importantly we are exploring our options for fundraising, both in seeking donations from private donors, as well as applying for education grants. It’s a full-time job but hopefully it will pay off and ECC will be adequately funded in 2010. More on that later, don’t you worry!

All this sure makes me miss those kiddies in Pavones…

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM ECC!
what are you thankful for?

ECC is on its way to “going green”, thanks to Green Wave’s support!

In January 2009, ECC caught the attention of the Los Angeles-based environmental non-profit, Green Wave, and its “Green Girl Guru” founder, Janine Johnson. Since then, the organization has been influential and inspiring in our community education center’s progress toward environmental education and community development. In fact, it was through our connection with Green Wave that ECC’s “sponsorship” with The EDGE Foundation was born!

But first, a little bit about this new, progressive organization that ECC is so grateful to be collaborating with…

What is Green Wave?

Green Wave is a dynamic, environmental non-profit dedicated to establishing precedents for change and redefining activism. Green Wave provides service to companies to create and fund ecolistical initiatives to inspire waves of change in both local and global communities. Green Wave is people-powered by a collaboration of other like-minded companies and organizations. Green Wave works business to business with companies and other organizations in the creation and strategic implementation of ecolistical projects that give back to their communities.

Mission
To inspire waves of change by creating living examples focused on living consciously, peacefully, and harmoniously with the environment and with each other for the well being of our planet.

Goal
To create green/restorative developments and education initiatives

“Health for people and planet is the new currency” –Janine Johnson

Green Wave Projects and Events

Green Wave believes that companies are integral for catalyzing the waves of change necessary for a sustainable future. Apart from working with such companies as the Grammy-nominated band, The Crystal Method, NextAid, Sabertec, Kalia Modern Eco-Living, and Green Addict, Green Wave has also hosted several events:

The Green Heart Eco-Yoga Day Fundraiser
The fundraiser took place in February 2009 was held in celebration of International Yoga Day.  As with any Green Wave event, it was a green event and meant to bring mindfulness to sustainable living concepts which are in harmony with yogic practices. It was from proceeds from this event that Green Wave was able to finance the EDGE Curriculum for ECC’s 2010 classes donation was also made to the Golfo Dulce’s Anti-Tuna Farm Campaign.  Click here for more info about this event.

Earthdance 2009
The world’s largest synchronized music and dance festival for peace. Since its inception, Earthdance has been held on over 500 locations in 80 countries with all events simultaneously joining together in the Prayer for Peace - a powerful moment of coherent intention.

Each public Earthdance event gives 50% of their profits to a charity that falls into one of the following categories:
-The Welfare of Children & Urban Youth
-Indigenous Peoples & Cultures
-International Relief and Development
-Environmental Sustainability & Protection
-Organizations that help Promote Peace

Earthdance occurs annually every September in recognition of the United Nations International Day of Peace with the intention to build a Culture of Peace.  On September 26th, 2009, Green Wave was the beneficiary of the San Diego Earthdance.  Green Wave worked in collaboration with the producer of the event, Green Addict, to introduce, implement & inspire sustainable practices and living to both the event and the attendees. Click here for more info about Earthdance.

The future is bright (and green!)

On behalf of everyone at Escuela Camino Claro, we would like to say THANK YOU to Green Wave for its support and inspiration! ECC looks forward to a positive future and an enduring relationship with Green Wave.

ECC has officially wrapped up its second year and wow, what a great year!

I was forced to accept that the year had come to and end a couple weeks ago as Haley and I were cleaning the school and sorting through our abundance of papers, books, hidden frogs, crabs, and all of the usual things one finds in a schoolhouse at the end of the year. After three years in Pavones we have learned so much and started many projects in the community. But most importantly, our community education center has become a valued resource for Pavones’ residents.

The 2009 school year was more successful than last year for many reasons; mainly due to the fact that we nearly doubled our average number of local Costa Rican students, something which Haley and I have made a major goal since the school’s launch. Here are a few statistics to sum up our success this year.

• Monthly average student enrollment in 2008 was 23.
• Monthly average student enrollment in 2009 was 34.
• Monthly average of local Costa Rican students in 2008 was 13.
• Monthly average of local Costa Rican students in 2009 was 24.

Recycling in Pavones

When I look back on the many projects that ECC collaborated on this year, I am most proud of our work to implement a regular recycling pick-up service in Pavones. Though it may be something that only Haley and I can appreciate, I have to admit that I have come to love the sight of black plastic bags overflowing with recyclables and piled high along ECC’s outside wall. You might ask why is the recycling left at our school? Well, it’s the most convenient place for the community to leave their bottles and cans, but the downside is that the recycle truck isn’t exactly punctual! Although it’s not necessarily a pretty sight, it does represent that the community is becoming more aware: well worth it. While we are back in the US for the winter months, Lili from Mira Olas Cabinas will continue to arrange pick-up dates and people will still leave all their recycling at the ECC building.

Other projects that ECC students and teachers were involved in:

• Mural project at the public school, Escuela Las Gemelas
• Mural project at the public school library
• Global Service Outreach Program (GSOP) with Kalapuya High School (follow link for more info!)
• Helping with fundraising to support the Golfo Dulce’s Anti-Tuna Farm campaign
• Beach clean-ups

A special THANK YOU to…

We would like to thank all of our supporters for giving Escuela Camino Claro the opportunity to continue existing and flourishing. We are so grateful to all who have allowed us to grow and continue to “bring communities together through education.”

• The EDGE (Early Development of Global Education) Charitable Foundation
• Gabe Hamel, Humans for Humanity LLC
• Janine Jonson, Green Wave LLC
• Sumo Sushi
• Calan Taylor, Kalapuya High School
• Tully Spring
• Dustin Haines
• Lisa LaMagna, Encanto Costa Rica
• Hadas Barkan
• Sam Claiborn
• Rebecca Quinn
• Lisa Thrash
• Siempre Domingo Bed & Breakfast
• Cafe de la Suerte
• Clear River Sports & Adventures
• Amy & Alex Outerbridge
• Katie Kalmbach
• Billy Scorer
• Downtown Languages
• Seattle University Alumni Magazine
• CostaRica.com Blog

And all friends, family and donors/supporters of the 2009 Pura Vida Fundraiser & Silent Auction

…we apologize if anyone was forgotten… THANK YOU!!

The 2010 school year will resume in February

But in the meantime please continue to check out our blog for updates and news. We look forward to a positive future for Escuela Camino Claro and wish for you all to be a part of it!

Pura Vida,

Raphel & Haley

Dearest Escuela Camino Claro friends, family, and fellow supporters,

The countdown is on: we have two weeks remaining before our second official year as a non-profit community education center comes to a close. More than seven months ago, Raphel and I arrived in Pavones with open minds and the eagerness to make this year better than the last. In many ways we succeeded, due to heightened ECC involvement in the community and increased enrollment: during our busiest time this year we had around 50 students of all ages! We were also unsurprisingly faced with new and difficult challenges as ECC becomes more of a fixture in the community. Overcoming the many obstacles and turning them into successes, or at least valuable life lessons, has made this experience the most joyful for both of us. We have learned life is not always a clear path, though our name may say otherwise (“camino claro” means “clear path”).

Change is a good: the 2010 school year awaits

What is in store for next year? We hope lots of new and exciting changes and improvements! To start off with, Raphel and I have been eagerly on the hunt for new teachers for next year, and so far there have been several promising individuals who are interested in taking over most of the teaching (including pre-kinder, ESL, and home school classes). It’s clear now that Raphel and I are needed more as administrators maintaining the integrity of the business, e.g. recruiting, accounting, and networking. Besides, fundraising is a full time job, something we absolutely cannot do from Pavones because high-speed Internet is still undiscovered. We look forward to a few new, inspired, motivated individuals to help us continue teaching the community of Pavones. Like I said, change is good!

The EDGE environmental education curriculum

Last March, ECC was proudly accepted under the charity umbrella of The EDGE (Early Development of Global Education) Charitable Foundation. By becoming part of the EDGE Children for Children program, we have joined several other charities around the world receiving support from this organization. With this acceptance, ECC has made a commitment to become an environmentally friendly school to the best of our ability, turning our school green! ECC also received The EDGE curriculum guide, which provides ECC teachers with the knowledge and creative tools to help us introduce environmental awareness to the students and, in turn, the rest of the community. We are very much looking forward to implementing it into our classes next year, particularly targeting the youngest students.

First step in going green: ECC’s recycle program

Though still a fledging, ECC’s mini recycle center is one of the first steps ECC has taken to become an environmentally friendly school. What’s a better way to create awareness of the basic purposes of reducing, reusing, and recycling, than working with our youngest students? They are beginning to understand the difference between aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles by putting them in the correct bin. Small accomplishment, it may seem, but these simple actions will eventually lead to a cultural shift in thinking about their country’s waste management. Eventually…down the road… but in the meantime, aren’t they cute?!

On a similar note, we are still stumbling along and making slow progress with the grand Pavones recycle plan. The good news is that the mayor of Golfito has apparently approved of funding a community recycle facility. Though the paperwork is underway, we’re not sure how long it will take until a building is actually erected and the residents get the hang of recycling. With the help of other dedicated Pavones residents (thanks Lili!), we have arranged for a monthly recycle truck to pass through Pavones while we wait for tangible results of the mayor’s approval.

Until next year…

By remaining on our mailing list, checking out and subscribing to ECC’s blog, and continuing your support, our community education center can continue to thrive and progress!

I will leave you with the following words from The EDGE Dedication:

Be as great as you can possibly be. Be an advocate and a teacher for the children in your life. Show them that life knows no bounds. Allow them to feel the soil, awe at the miraculous species that inhabit the earth, to feel the wind and smell the fresh scent of every season. The Earth calls to them with reason. Educate them.

The appropriateness of ending the 2009 school year with these words is, in my opinion, twofold. Initially these words inspire me to reflect on my own purpose in life, regardless of my title (English teacher, community developer, fellow human being) and strive to better the world I am so much a part of. Secondly, this dedication reminds us that ECC has the potential to bring many more positive changes to the community of Pavones, Costa Rica, and beyond: we will especially be able to succeed in the coming years by embodying this dedication as our own.

Thank you so much for sticking with us and supporting us!
Pura Vida,
Haley

Source: Hernandez, Gomez, Nembhard, Paez-Garcia, The EDGE Curriculum. 1st Edition. Miami, The EDGE, 2008. www.theedgeeducation.com