Habitat for Humanity
Rio Claro, Costa Rica, Feb. 9-18, 2006
 The bus pulled into our hotel a little after midnight. It was a long journey from the capital city San Jose. Rio Claro is at the southern end of Costa Rica about 30 miles from Panama. The drive along the infamous Pan American highway was long and twisting up and down the mountains.
The hotel was lovely and quaint, a little hacienda, white stucco with a tile veranda and lots of beautiful trees and flowers around. Our very tired group of 11 volunteers went straight to our rooms and fell asleep. The next morning at breakfast we drank the best Costa Rican coffee along with fresh local fruits, watermelon, pineapple, papaya and banana. The local people from the Habitat affiliate met with us and talked about the build we would be doing, the family and about local customs of the country along with money exchange, etc. We set off in our bus through town and stopped along the way to see some other habitat homes built in Rio Claro. The family we would be building for lived behind the car repair shop he owned. Alberto repaired and installed car mufflers and that was considered a specialty. The per capita income of Costa Rica is $3,500 per year but his income was $6,000 per year. Their existing home was built of some wood and corrugated sheet metal with a gravel floor. They did have running water, electricity and a toilet. The home we would be building for them was a little under 600 square feet and would have stucco walls and tile floors. The Habitat home would cost the family $8,000 dollars and that they would pay back to Habitat interest free. They had two little girls 2 and 5 who played around the house. Daya, Alberto’s wife was home with the children and each day she would make us a sampling of different Costa Rican food or drinks.
Since we were the first team, we began our construction from the ground up digging the footings for the foundation and making the rebar in which to pour the concrete. The setting was absolutely beautiful with many coconut and banana trees in the area and a large cow pasture next to us where the curious cows came to visit us each day. The family had several free roaming chickens who got up enough nerve to come around when they saw we were digging up lots of fat earth worms. Our team was very powerful and we worked very well together.
 On Sunday some of us went to the local church and in the afternoon had a cultural exchange with the local people. It was fun because they taught us the salsa steps a couple of them danced for us! Always included in a Habitat build is a little R&R and our team leader chose a two day getaway to a Rainforest Lodge. It was a cool and beautiful setting and we hiked into the forest with a guide and saw the beauty of the natural forest and running streams and the most beautiful birds in their natural Habitat.
We continued our build during the week with our hard working team and members of the family and local community. There was a wonderful spirit among the group. Each night we ate at a local restaurant where we had wonderful local food, fish, rice, beans and lots of fresh fruit.
Once again the time ended all too soon. We had a very moving farewell dinner and said our good byes to the family and all the people we met. There were smiles and tears. It always is such a moving and heart warming experience. I will anxiously await our next build and hope to continue working with Habitat for a long, long time.
Lynn Pakulla, Feb. 2006
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, the work they do throughout the world and how you can contribute or volunteer, please visit www.habitatforhumanity.org.
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