"Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

Tanya Wright Start Date: Mar 20, 2025 - End Date: Jul 19, 2025
  • San José Province, San José, Costa Rica

My Travel Story

by: Tanya Wright Start Date: Mar 20, 2025 - End Date: Jul 19, 2025
Mr. Rogers once said: "We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes."

Similarly, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaratin to clarify exactly who our neighbor is--anyone who crosses our path--regardless of nationality (or race, religion, political party, gender, sexuality identity, citizenship status, socioeconomic status, friend or foe). In this well known parable, the Good Samaritin sees need, is moved with compassion, and goes out of his way to love in action.  This is one of my 'why's' for taking this volunteer trip.  We are all connected to God (the Divine) and to each other, all desiring and worthy to give and receive love.  I choose to love what God loves.  This includes what is right in front of me, but also includes everything and everyone (my Costa Rican neighbors). 

A second 'why' for taking this trip is the hope that my boys will experience with their hearts that their neighborhood is much bigger than they ever knew.  We live in a divided world that is quick to judge instead of listen, fear instead of trust, guard and defend instead of live generously, and exclude instead of include.  I hope this trip will expand Jed and Peter's (and my) curiosity, open heartedness, humility, and compassion. 

What will our trip look like?  We will be volunteering in child care programs in San Jose, Costa Rica, through an organization called International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ).  We will partner directly with a local team, for 5-6 hours per day, to help in community centers, daycares, and schools that care for and entertain children outside of school hours. This is an important service in Costa Rica where many schools are overcrowded and only run in either the morning or afternoon. This programming provides a safe, structured and fun environment where kids can grow and learn.  We won't know the exact details of our project until we arrive in country but usually involves:

Setting up games and activities
Helping with homework
One-on-one interaction with children
Teaching basic hygiene skills
Assisting with meals

During our few hours of free time per day, I plan to take my boys and explore on foot, and by bus, the city of San Jose and the Costa Rican culture (language, food, parks, history, historical sites, etc.).  I also fully expect there will be some discomfort (long days, language barrier, new foods, hard work, lack of Snapchat or YouTube, etc.) that will call for patience, perseverance, flexibility, and choosing gratitude and kindness--qualities I want to grow in all of us.

I'm also thrilled to share that we will be accommodated in a homestay with a local Costa Rican family (and perhaps other volunteers).  This will autheentically and intimately expose us to the Costa Rican people and way of life.  We will come to know our Costa Rican hosts personally.  And exchanging our stories over a meal (they will feed us breakfast and dinner), while invited into their home, surely will leave a profound mark.  Through our relationships, I believe we will leave with fresh perspectives, deeper empathy, and a greater togetherness with humanity.

(PLEASE NOTE: Any funding raised above and beyond our trip costs will be donated in country to the local team--buying supplies/services that would benefit their program).
  • San José Province, San José, Costa Rica

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