Helping Communities in Costa Rica

Hillary Arreaga Start Date: Apr 24, 2021 - End Date: Aug 23, 2021
  • Costa Rica

My Travel Story

by: Hillary Arreaga Start Date: Apr 24, 2021 - End Date: Aug 23, 2021
I have lived in a low-income community my whole life. Everyone no matter who they are, struggle. I've seen and been one of the kids who have went to the deli, grabbed food and told the deli man I would pay him the next day. I am one of the kids at my school who work hard academically and sports wise, to get a chance at a scholarship. Other kids including myself have tried to better the community we grew up in. We've done a fundraiser in order to get money for planting trees to improve air quality compared to other communitites. I've seen parents work hard to give their kids a future. With all of this being said, although I lived in a low-income community, it taught me to value determination. My community has shaped me who I am today; its a vital part of me. I am currently a junior at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School. I've worked my way to top 5 and played soccer and flag football. I've participated in social justice programs becuase I know how hard it is to overcome adversitites but it didn't stop me. Before I leave to college, I want to make a change in my own community or another such as the Costa Rica community. Costa Rica has similar communitites such as mine, Washington Heights. I know I am young but I truley believe that with determination, adversitites cannot stop anyone. Many parents in Costa Rica also don't have enough to pay for kids lunch, try thier best to give their kids a good future, kids try hard at school, etc. A community is where someone grows up in, it's a signifcant part of their life. I want the community of Costa Rica to show kids that every community has something good to offer no matter the circmstance and it can be improved.
  • Costa Rica