The Helping Heals Costa Rica Adventure was a huge success!

Eighteen teenagers, ages ranging from 14 -18, were very eager to participate in this year’s community service trip to Costa Rica and shared in the opportunity of a lifetime!

The group, along with Tuesday’s Children staff members, Jennifer Betancourt Aparicio and Lauren Andriano, as well as our new President, Carmine Calzonetti, arrived at the Bri Bri Village in Costa Rica to help the community with a variety of projects…from painting buildings at the local school, to planting a garden, to even teaching English to the Costa Rican children.  There were over 200 school children and community members who shared in the excitement of having American students assist with these important community projects.

Patricia Delgado, one of the schoolteachers, said it’s been such a long time since she has seen the kids so enthusiastic to come to school.

After our last day of community service, all of the Costa Rican children lured us into a game of soccer, Costa Rica vs. The United States, of course, where we shared many laughs and competitive spirit.

The entire experience was moving for all of the teens on the trip, as they realized there are many people in the world that need help.  Many of them thought of this trip as their chance to “pay it forward.”

Along with the community service, the group was able to take part in fun-filled activities that included zip lining, surfing and a trip to the hot springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

Jennifer Betancourt Aparicio, Mentoring Director at Tuesday's Children,

takes a picture with some of the local children in the Bri Bri Indigenous

Village of Suretka

Two of the participants smile at the Don Carlos Hotel

in San Jose ...

Lauren Andriano, First Steps Coordinator for Tuesday's Children, laughs,

with the local children, at the pictures on her camera

Lunch in the village with the local women's group

Tour of Cacao Farm and Chocolate Factory run by a local women's group

Painting part of the school was one of the service activities for the week

The children enjoy their time at school and with each other

A great group shot of everyone who participated in Helping Heals!