THANKSGIVING IN COSTA RICA 2009

Yesterday we attended the “Pura Vida No Pro Surf Contest” in Esterillos Este, just a little south of Jacó Beach. The name of this event disguises what it really is. It should be named, “A Special Day For Special Children”, or “One Of The Best Days A Special Child Could Ever Have In His/Her Life”, or “Count Your Blessings Day”. Boys and girls from the oldest orphanage in Costa Rica (1886) were brought in from the nation’s capitol, San Jose, to one of the most beautiful places on the Costa Rican Pacific coast, the Pelican Hotel, for a day of fun at the beach.

Now in its 8th year, the “No Pro” event continues to give abandoned and abused children Golden Memories of happiness and interactions with people who care. The children arrived at 8am and were immediately fed breakfast. Then, as the kids finished eating, they were issued special bracelets and divided into 6 groups of 6 kids each with 10 volunteers per group. The schedule of activities on the big chalkboard makes it immediately clear that the “No Pro” group knows what kids like and has developed the organizational skills to make it happen.

The official “Timekeeper” was the DJ, Cesar Vargas. Like a digital stopwatch, when it was time for the kids to move on to the next activity or take a food break, Cesar would lower the volume of the music, a siren would sound and his booming announcement was heard all the way out to the farthest wave. Laughter, smiles and sounds of excitement from children having fun were all around us, making the atmosphere unforgettable. The groups of kids rotated from Surfing to Volleyball to Yoga to Hip Hop dancing to Games (soccer, water balloon and egg throwing contests) to Horseback Riding on the beach.

At the same time, more fun activities were happening like Soccer, Sand Castle Building, Slip n Slide, Swimming in the Pool and Haircuts! As a bonus, the “No Pro” organizers brought in at least 6 dogs (ok, they may have already been there) that everyone could play with and a few more showed up with attendees! Here’s a short video from 2007 that captures a glimpse of what goes on; Link text With the world in its economic crisis and so many charities in the world that deserve support it’s challenging to find donations, but if someone of means (great or small) who reads this, is deciding where to direct their monetary gifts, they should know that they would be helping to support a well run, proven and worthwhile organization where a dollar is stretched a long way.

Although there are many volunteers and helpers that have enabled this amazing event to become as successful as it has, the founder, Steve Sanchez initially began the program as a part of a group of surfers helping out a few local kids. The “Hearts of Stone” organization (named that because of an Arizona masonry business) was formed and along with co-founder and Costa Rica Director, John O’Toole, now supports not only the “Hospico de Huerfanos” (hospice of the orphans) but “Casa de Suenos” (House of Dreams) as well.

The “House of Dreams” is the bridge support for orphans who by law can not stay in the children’s orphanage when they reach the age of 18. Before Casa de Suenos, some of the older children were being quickly lost to the world of drug abuse, prostitution and violent crime---some just disappeared.

In a lesson of entrepreneurialism, some of the artwork of the kids has been transformed into ceramic tile murals and unique t-shirt designs for sale at every event. After the noon meal, the “Expression” surfing began where points are awarded for “style”, rather than technical prowess on the waves. At 4pm, there was a Hip Hop performance, group photos, gift awards ceremony and starting at 5pm BBQ and party for 2 hours. End of a great day!

It is so difficult for many of us to fully comprehend that there are children in our world that are abandoned and alone---it is so beyond our reality box. But here it was today; innocent young faces belonging to children that were actually left to fend for themselves---WTF? (sorry) There are so many people that came to this event and quietly gave what they could to the children that many good hearted people will be missed being mentioned here (most don’t actually care for recognition)---sincere apologies to them.

Here’s a partial list---Steve Rodriguez-founder of “Pura Vida No Pro” and “Hearts of Stone”; Link text John O’Toole-co founder and Costa Rican Director;Link text The man known as “Oso”-owner of the “Pelican Hotel”;Link text Cesar Vargas of “Cesar Vargas Productions, Jaco” 8342-8532 Chris and Andrea Wady of “Discovery Horse Tours”; Link text Jim and Leonore (Leo) Hogan of “Jim Hogan’s Costa Rica Surf Camp”; Link text

“Easy Riders Surf School”;Link text “Picos” surfboards”;Link text “Surfline”; Link text “Hansen’s Surf Shop, California”; Link text “Las Olas Cabinas”;Link text “Hotel Arenal Pacifico”; Link text
“Master Marble, Ltd., Arizona”; Link text

“Wavehunters”; Link text “Surfer Magazine”;Link text Tim McManus;Link text Teri Dominey; Link text “Hired Guns Drywall”; (602) 996-4998 “Baca Graphics”; Link text “Quicksilver”; Link text