I am doing a few weeks of voluntary work at an environmental learning centre in Central America. For gardening and teaching some local women some felting and other textile crafts, and to update the centre's website. It is a very interesting place, and the programmes are quite impressive. There are 8 volunteers here I think, two of us are twenty nine, and the rest are in their early to mid 20s.
The website does better justice to the huge undertaking this has been: http://www.learningcentercostarica.org/
This is from 4 years ago
My 25 year old daughter Erin and I are leaving fo... full info
Almost too good to be true!I was preparing for the unfortunate outcome of my needles never arriving or arriving after I left, and no one knowing what to do with the stuff in the box. So was madly trying to download videos on felting to keep for the women to watch whenever needed.
I had already cancelled Friday's class because of not having them, so Jennifer called everyone back to say the needles came in after all.
How to get mail in C.R.Why, forge identification, of course!! After Gerardo called and was told there was no parcel for me, I jumped when Joanna said she was going in to Puerto to do some banking Thurs afternoon. I got receptionist Jennifer in on the ploy, having her print a copy of my ID card from here at the Learning Centre, with my initial L. added, and Joanna's face inserted. Worked! When the rotund postal worker claimed there was nothing, Joanna looked around the corner and saw my parcel - I had given her a description obtained from the seller. So, the worker demanded ID and presto! It worked. Joanna looks every bit the Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican she is, so that made it all the funnier.
Lunch TimeWe are called for hot lunch every day, prepared by the wonderful Hilde (pronounced IL-deh) who is now making meals every day instead of us!! HHHOOOOORRRRAAAYYY. That's her little grand daughter Maria with her.
And a look from the other endFortunately most folks kept right at the business at hand, eating!!! I prefer "action shots" to posed ones.
Caught himHilde (pronounced ildah) picked up the little fellow who was getting all nervous and jumpy behind the door where he'd get squished
I've been 2-timing on CharlieThis little pup showed up Thurs and has been hanging around the Learning Centre. I asked Minerva if she'd be interested and she is! What a gentle little thing she is. I am bringing her home today (Sunday) when I finish fiddling on the computer here.
We got right to itA bunch of the women came in to see the new needles and get to work! We only have one class left before I go.
They really had funEmilsie, on the right, also makes beautiful wrist bracelets which I am buying to take home for the kids of the family.
Hilde did thisgetting the knack of the needles quickly. I'm so glad they are already arty - NO WAY could I have taught them how to make neat edges!
