La Primera Semana (The First Week)

After living just one week here, I understand what Costa Ricans mean by their famous phrase "pura vida" (which translates to "pure life" but really is a way of life that's "full of life" or "real living"). I'm already feeling adjusted to the slower pace, constant sunshine, beautiful spanish language, and tropical habitat (probably due to the fact that I'm on this adventure with my supportive and spanish-speaking husband, Gabriel :).

Just as a recap, we've left Washington, D.C. and are here in Potrero, Guanacaste, Costa Rica for a few months testing out life in Latin America. A major reason for this adventure is to complete my practicum project for my Master's in Social Enterprise at American University. For this project, I'm conducting an assessment for the nonprofit, Abriendo Mentes (AM), to see how they can enhance the social enterprise model for their Women's Empowerment Program, Mujeres Activas de Potrero (MAP). 

I've created this blog for two reasons: 
       1) to keep friends and family up to date on our adventure (yes, we know you're living vicariously through us ;)
      2) to share some of my experiences working on the community development side of social enterprise (I hope this can aid your own work in some way or simply help you learn more about what social enterprise really is)

Abriendo Mentes, which means "Opening Minds," is a non-profit community development initiative that empowers rural Costa Rican communities by providing educational,technological and social programs. These programs include computer and english classes (for children and adults) as well as fitness activities and the women's empowerment program, Mujeres Activas de Potrero ("Active Women of Potrero").  

We all helped out with the Playa Potrero Community Beach Cleanup which helps the beach keep its well-known national Blue Flag certification (this is 2 blocks from our house :).

Mujeres Activas de Potrero (MAP) is a program created by Abriendo Mentes that aims to empower the local women in Potrero, Guanacaste, Costa Rica through economic, educational and health programs.

The women's advanced sewing group: Damaris, Yerlande, Tina and Gladys

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK:

We got settled into our new house which is not as rough as we expected! It's a 3-year old two bedroom, we have AC units in each room, internet and a beautiful view of our family's banana farm from the bedrooms. The best part about our apartment (aside from the low rent) is the family that owns and lives on the property. Carlos and Marlene live in the main house (with guard dog Osa and Rocky). They are super sweet people that are always chatting with us and have been super helpful teaching us about Costa Rican home life (including cooking beans on the outdoor fire and hanging our laundry on the lines). Laura and Donni (the daughter of Marlene) also live on the property with their two children Chianti and Josueya.

I've had LOTS of Spanish Class!! Getting up to par to be able to work with the women's group in Spanish. I love my teacher, Ivette, who is super sweet and encouraging.

Loving the small town simple life! Outdoor laundry, see the same folks around town all day long, gorgeous flora and fauna surrounding me instead of concrete, biking and walking everywhere in t-shirts and shorts (goodbye work suit), rising at for cool mornings and humming birds at 6 am and asleep by 8:30 pm.

I was pumped after my first project with the sewing group - creating a flyer for the upcoming beginners sewing class. Rather than drafting one and then getting their approval, I decided to use a white board to get the women to come up with the content and layout (although I did end up adding a few graphics). I felt such a rush of satisfaction from actually working face-to-face with the beneficiaries of this program rather than from a headquarters office countries away. It was great seeing them take ownership of something on the business side of the project - showing their capacity to lead. I felt empowered watching them! :)

Life so far is relaxed and every day there's time for something fun and new :)

Trivia night fundraiser for Abriendo Mentes at The Shack - a big hit each month.
Go team Falling Scorpion (yes, there are scorpions here).

The view from Las Brisas Restaurant where we were checking our email last week.