Rio Tigre, Costa Rica court building in jungle paradise with Jesuit High School, New Orleans

Arriving at Dos Brazos de Río Tigre at night after a long drive was a beautiful mystery. As soon as we arrived the rain started pouring and the community got soaked helping us get our things off the bus. It was late night and the weather was refreshing. They had some welcoming words and served dinner for us in a beautiful bamboo building, a high and open one. It felt like an ecological or biological station surrounded by nature.

On the first morning, the alarm was an orchestra of many different birds singing at the same time. The beautiful sun rays penetrated the windows little by little until they reached our faces, waking up our curiosity to discover the place we were at. The clear sky and beautiful sunrise colors made us feel like we were in a Jurrasic Park paradise. The mountains all around and the delicious pinto we had for breakfast filled our souls up to start building the court! The kitchen ladies had their huge smiles and loving hearts ready to make us feel like part of the family.

The court site was a beautiful terrain between the school and the plaza. The diversity of community members surprised us when we saw blonde and blue-eyed members (there was a German family) and barefoot kids who were ready to take any available wheelbarrow, setting the tone of the CFK work ethic. All of the community members were ready and excited, like us, trying to find a role and an order while the lead constructor was figuring out the last details needed to start. Once we started, the euphoria got us working hard until the heat taught us to slow down our rhythm. Little by little, day by day, we got better at our workflow as we analyzed our operations every night to be more efficient the next day.

Having that same routine, we got used to our morning and day workflow. Every afternoon we had different, unique, and memorable activities. On the first day, we introduced ourselves to the kids in a soccer match, finding out their skills were better than ours (they had been preparing for months for this moment). All barefoot and passionate about that moment made us feel special, we were meant to be there to learn something.

We also had a cooking class and learned how to do an “arepa orera”. Most of the community members live from an artisanal gold extraction they do at the river. We had the opportunity to learn how to do this job, being able to buy half of an ice cream at the end of the day with the gold we got after hours of work. They leave all day to work or even camp at different mountain sites to keep working. If they can, they bring their kids in case they feel lonely. They found out that this special pancake they had would survive several days with them in the mountains without getting damaged. Unfortunately, they might only eat that for a couple of days while their feet stay wet for long periods of time, causing their skin to be sensitive to allergies and fungus.

We also did a Karaoke night where we found out the music the community likes while we showed off our best voices in the group. The most heartbeating activity was the night tour where we got to see alligators, frogs, snakes, and some jungle mammals. The jungle was hot at night! The vapor had us sweating while we were watching every single step in the middle of the jungle, knowing there could be a snake under camouflage in every single corner of the ground or hanging out between the branches.

Another beautiful moment was when the community did a movie night that had a pajama party vibe where the community teenagers and our group were spoiled with hamburgers and ice cream while we watched and laughed to the new Jumanji film. After this night we got to connect after dinner with community members hanging out in the cultural bamboo center until we had to move on to our thoughtful reflections where we shared our learnings with each other.

Once we were done with the court we got to know the downtown area. We went to church and felt very welcomed by the priest. Unsure of the meaning of his words, we felt the warm love of the church community who felt very honored to have us there. After that, we went walking to the beach following our local friend who took our group to his favorite spot where we hanged out, played, and swam for hours with some of the community kids. Lunch was a typical picnic lunch in plantain leaf, just like locals do. We were on a calm beach that felt like a pool, known for being the gulf where whales come to reproduce and give birth to their babies. It’s also one of the few tropical fjords and one of the deepest places on earth, next to the Corcovado National Park which contains 4% of the world´s biodiversity. By the way, David says Costa Rica only has knowledge of the 6% of mushrooms they have. We were truly blessed to be in Dos Brazos de Río Tigre and Puerto Jimenez.

As if that wasn’t enough, they took us to a special place called “El Salto” where there’s an amazing tiny current in a very narrow part between rocks that in the end turns into a tiny waterfall. It was amazing to walk again next to the river and between the jungle, but this time with daylight. We felt adapted and part of the community children’s adventures.

We could elaborate more about our adventures, but to finish this story I will only share how fun the inauguration day was. After receiving acknowledgments that felt like a graduation, we had a beautiful day to play on the court and enjoy with the community!

This place definitely has a magnet that brings people from different parts of the world together. Being able to experience a sunset playing at the court between the forest with this lovely community and kids made us feel very lucky and blessed.

Sofía Cerdas Víquez, CFK Costa Rica In-Country Director

Community quotes

In my case it was a very big challenge since the first day. I had never done such a big thing, such a big court but with the help of the members of the board and the volunteers of the town we achieved it and it was a beautiful project. And every day you see children and young people playing on the court I am proud of the project. Thank you... For everything. -Freddy Munoz Vega, Community Member

I have had the opportunity to be part of some communal projects, but after this one, I have learned that it is worth taking that extra mile that makes a difference, projects like this are fundamental not only in the development but also in the human, spiritual, social and moral growth of the communities, which is extremely important for this new generation. Thank you Corts for Kids, and all of us who together achieved the success of the project 💪🏼was definitely worth it. Sandra Campos, Community Member

For me it was a very enriching experience since in the whole process of the project you learn a lot ... Loved this experience. It's a wonderful project✨. Thank you very much. Jenny Alvarado Castillo, Community Member

Jesuit Student Quotes

I feel like this trip has taught me to be myself more often and that hard work pays off. I believe this trip will make me a more determined worker. I now know that when I work hard and get my work done swiftly, I get to enjoy the other aspects of life. Shep Kirchner, Student

This community has taught me that a simple life is a great life. Everybody here always has a smile on his/her face. Sofia said that they are rich. I was confused by this statement because there is no AC, service, etc here, but now I understand they are rich in love. The company of friends and family keeps them going. Clayton Morris, Student

I’ve learned so much about Costa Rica and life in a tight-knit community. The lifestyle and daily adventures of the people in this area are truly spectacular. Friends like Joel and Steven have been awesome to communicate and spend time with. Playing futbol and messing with the little kids has allowed me to create unforgettable memories. Ryan Farnsworth, Student

I learned a lot about myself on this trip. I learned that I am a very hard worker and that whenever I set a goal for myself, I can achieve it. I also learned I love getting to know about different people's lives. Sanad Hamdan, Student

This trip has been a very fulfilling experience. I have learned a lot about this community. I now understand what it means to be rich. The people in this community are rich because they have a good life and good friends and not because of money. I usually have no one to talk to besides my parents, I don't have many friends, here I feel like I have many good friends (...) Here it is so much easier. Logan, Student

I feel as if this trip has helped me remember who I am and who I’m meant to be. Being surrounded by peace and nature allowed me to reflect on myself in a deeper way than many of my other reflections. Andre Barahona, Student

I learned that there are many beautiful places all around the world, even in the most secluded places. What I understand more clearly now is how fortunate I am and how materials do not make people happy always. John Calhoun, Student

Started and finishing the court were some of my favorite memories of the trip. Going up river with Walmer was also one of my favorite moments of the trip. Walmer was excited to show us everything he knew. I understand more clearly nor why something as simple as building a basketball court can go way further than we can imagine for these communities. I also understand how appreciative the community is. Emerson Piacun, Student

I learned from the community that close-knit families and a simple lifestyle are all that is needed for a good life. Prior stereotypes that I had were that these people were poor. However, they are rich in spirit and should be viewed for their strengths, not their weaknesses. Aidan Obletz