The following post features student writing.
On our final full day in Bonanza, a worn-out work crew arose for our last day of service. Thanks to our hard work, the mountain of dirt to shovel had disappeared and our service consisted of painting the community center to prepare for our fiesta de despedida that night. Thankfully, the wet weather decided to hold off until our second coat was dry. As we painted, our Putney family shared song choices, stories, and small sentiments of our time in Bonanza.
The Bonanza bus stop built by a previous Putney group.
Meg and Lauren with Carlos, our maestro de obras.
A polaroid photo of our group with our cooks Mary Elsy and Yesenia and our maestro de obras Carlos.
Cindy, Malu, Gabby, Meg, and Lauren with the toucan sign.
Joey and Carlos, our maestro de obras.
As our work day concluded, Carlos enlisted our family to carry a tree he had cut for a support beam for the roof extension he is adding to the community center. Break started, and our group dispersed to head to La Fortuna for photo printing with Tim, and to do a final swim in the river. As we headed back to the community center for our farewell dinner, the majority of us got completely soaked in a total downpour. After attempts to dry off, many members of the community joined us in eating arroz con pollo and dancing. We also spent our time with the younger kids, singing, taking pictures, and talking with them. Sadly, our final evening did have to end. We exchanged goodbyes and made small speeches expressing gratitude, and many hugs all around.
Then we had our final group meeting and while all of us were excited about our upcoming adventures, tears were shed at the prospect of leaving this community we had shared so much interaction with and had grown to love in our week there.
– Callie & Jessica