This morning, we had a service project at a local school where we interacted with the children, practiced our Spanish, and painted the fence with them. This volunteering was very beneficial for us since it allowed us to give back to Costa Rica. We have so much to be grateful for as far as this program goes. We’re fed, we get to travel all over the country, and the people in this country are so kind to us. Therefore, this project was a nice way to help repay the kindness. I loved practicing my Spanish with the kids and playing soccer and painting with them was so fun. It made me happy to see the smiles on their faces.

Later, we visited the coffee farms in Monteverde and discussed how they grow coffee compared to Doka and Britt. For example, the coffee plants can live up to around 40 years, 15 more than at Doka due to the climate. Additionally, Monteverde uses an interesting type of natural fertilizer instead of pesticides to promote the growth of their plants while eliminating damage to the environment. This was a very important aspect of sustainability practiced at this plantation. Also, our guide said that every year, they bring 100 farmers in to try and teach them this method, and around 70 agree to convert to sustainable and natural fertilizer. This further shows Costa Rica’s dedication to the sustainability of their environment.

Life as a Tico farmer in Monteverde was better as well. They received $4 for each basket they finished, and they could fill more baskets than farmers at Doka and Monteverde since the climate causes these coffee trees to produce fruits more frequently. I also found it interesting how the farmers start the germination process each year for new plants and systematically replace the old ones with the new ones. Everything is very organized to create an efficient, sustainable plantation. If I were a child of a Tico farmer, I would want to be a contributor to the coffee plantation in a sustainable way. I would strive to make the plantation as eco-friendly as possible while maximizing production. Being a part of this community is important since it’s the backbone of the economy. Good, motivated people are needed for these jobs to keep the environment healthy and the economy running. A strong community connection helps these people keep their strong morals and dedication to their work.