Dawgs Abroad: Morganne Flores in Costa Rica
June 29, 2017 | Softball
Earlier this month, sophomore Morganne Flores traveled to Costa Rica with other Washington student-athletes to volunteer with Courts for Kids. In this blog she recaps her unforgettable experience.
Reflecting back on my trip to Costa Rica, I can honestly say that that was an experience I will remember for a life time. On most trips out of the country, the purpose is to relax and lie somewhere on the beach, and don't get me wrong, those vacations are crucial, but this Costa Rica trip was way more valuable. About 20 students were chosen to go to the indigenous village of
Matambu in Costa Rica for nine days to build a basketball court for the kids in the village, and widen their knowledge of sports in the community.
We arrived around 7pm at night in the community, and we each went to our host families house. Members of the community were kind enough to open up their homes to let a couple of us stay in each house. Julia and I stayed in Rosa's house, who was about a 60-year-old woman, and an important member of the community. Being able to stay in the host families houses enhanced our experience incredibly because we were all able to see the customs of the Costa Rican people and experience their everyday life. It is amazing how the people in this town live so simply, with hardly anything, and are so happy and appreciative of what life has to offer. It makes me extremely appreciative of what I have, and reminds me to not take anything for granted.
The first 7 days we were there we spent building the court, and I must admit, it was the hardest work I have done in my entire life. I have a new appreciation for construction workers. My hands were bloody and blistered by day one, and I could not move my legs by the end of the trip LOL, but when the court was finally done, it was the most satisfying feeling I have ever felt. The locals contributed so much to building the court, and they helped out any way they could. When the court was done, the entire community were super happy to be able to learn a new sport and couldn't stay off of the court. They were so happy and it gave me pure joy to witness.
The community was super accepting of us and were so kind to us. Even though the language barrier was difficult, the locals were patient with us and taught us their language bit by bit. When we had to leave, we all had tears in our eyes when we had to say goodbye to our host family, because we had built such amazing relationships with them. I not only built great relationships with the community, but built amazing relationships with the other student-athletes that were on the trip. I have gained so many great friendships. This trip has opened my eyes to a new appreciation for life, and how acts of kindness is the best kind of happiness there is in this world.
-Morganne
Reflecting back on my trip to Costa Rica, I can honestly say that that was an experience I will remember for a life time. On most trips out of the country, the purpose is to relax and lie somewhere on the beach, and don't get me wrong, those vacations are crucial, but this Costa Rica trip was way more valuable. About 20 students were chosen to go to the indigenous village of
Matambu in Costa Rica for nine days to build a basketball court for the kids in the village, and widen their knowledge of sports in the community.We arrived around 7pm at night in the community, and we each went to our host families house. Members of the community were kind enough to open up their homes to let a couple of us stay in each house. Julia and I stayed in Rosa's house, who was about a 60-year-old woman, and an important member of the community. Being able to stay in the host families houses enhanced our experience incredibly because we were all able to see the customs of the Costa Rican people and experience their everyday life. It is amazing how the people in this town live so simply, with hardly anything, and are so happy and appreciative of what life has to offer. It makes me extremely appreciative of what I have, and reminds me to not take anything for granted.
The first 7 days we were there we spent building the court, and I must admit, it was the hardest work I have done in my entire life. I have a new appreciation for construction workers. My hands were bloody and blistered by day one, and I could not move my legs by the end of the trip LOL, but when the court was finally done, it was the most satisfying feeling I have ever felt. The locals contributed so much to building the court, and they helped out any way they could. When the court was done, the entire community were super happy to be able to learn a new sport and couldn't stay off of the court. They were so happy and it gave me pure joy to witness.
The community was super accepting of us and were so kind to us. Even though the language barrier was difficult, the locals were patient with us and taught us their language bit by bit. When we had to leave, we all had tears in our eyes when we had to say goodbye to our host family, because we had built such amazing relationships with them. I not only built great relationships with the community, but built amazing relationships with the other student-athletes that were on the trip. I have gained so many great friendships. This trip has opened my eyes to a new appreciation for life, and how acts of kindness is the best kind of happiness there is in this world.-Morganne
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