Today was our first day in La Carpio- the poor town outside of San Jose that is comprised mostly of Nicaraguan immigrants. On our way down to the daycare called La Libertad, we witnessed five young children being taken away in a police car and a woman crying and pleading not to take them. Gail explained to us that the foundation has tried everything to help this woman keep her children (given her food, a house) but the woman can’t stop beating them. The police officers wouldn’t tell Gail where the children were being taken, but Gail told us it could be any number of orphanages and that she fears the woman may never see her children again.
With that image burned in my mind, the group continued on to the day care where we were greeted by 15 energized children learning about healthy eating. Half of the group stayed there and the other half went to build bunk beds. It was a great day of service!
The most inspiring part of La Carpio is that despite all of the bad, the people are full of a lot of hope. Yes, the town is still dangerous and the people are still struggling to survive, but they continue to survive through perseverance and hope. From where the town was 17 years ago and how much potential it has, it’s pretty incredible to be a part of.
Amazingly, it is 8:45 p.m. now and I am exhausted. What a day… I am calling it an early night tonight.
Dulces sueños,
Jessica Lynn
Here’s a fun phrase:
Pulpería de pobre.
Background: a pulpería is a store that has a little bit of everything, like a convenience store. De pobre is ‘poor,’ thus implying the store is small, but has a lot. This being said, a girl who is a pulpería de pobre is a girl who is small, but ‘well-stocked.’ I have been called this on a few occasions by ticos…I think it’s supposed to be a compliment. : )
Pulpería de pobre: Chiquita, pero bien surtida.
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