Newsletter - Early Literacy Program & Reflections on Costa Rica

We'd been serving in Costa Rica for two weeks and leaving the next morning, and I still had a lot of pictures to get. I was wandering the grounds of Hogar de Vida, eager to capture every incredible feature of the campus that I could share with you, our generous ministry partners. As I roamed the campus, I couldn't help making comparisons. First to my hometown in Rochester, NY where I know of no playground that can match Hogar de Vida, no preschool as pretty, no sandbox as expansive, no slip n' slide as long (and fast!), no flowers as beautiful, no backyards with two pools, no fleet of HotWheels as numerous, and no group of young HotWheel drivers as skilled!!!

Then I thought of our son's photo album from his youth group's 1995 two-week summer mission trip to Hogar de Vida. Having previously served at Hogar de Vida in Guatemala, they were the first team to go to Costa Rica as Tim and Dena were getting the new home started. The old farmhouse is still House #1, but it looks a whole lot better. The concrete pad the team poured alongside the house looks great and still keeps the children out of the mud in the rainy season. The retaining wall, the basketball court, and the beautiful tree house they built are still there, but oh how the rest of the land has changed!

Then I thought of the scores of teams who have since come to invest their sweat equity, and hundreds of donors who Playground have invested financially, to build and operate a facility where broken children find healing in the love of Jesus delivered through those who care for them. I could just imagine team members and donors falling in love with a hurting child and saying to themselves, "Good enough just won't do. These children need our best." And that's why Hogar de Vida now has three beautiful houses where up to 35 children live. And a playground, a sandbox, a school, a swimming pool, and much more that my hometown in the US can't match. And now, an Early Childhood Literacy program that few Costa Rican children experience (See below.)

Cele By now, you know that for Linda and me, the children have captured our hearts again. We would be remiss not to thank you for your part, whatever that may be, in building and sustaining Hogar de Vida. We would also be remiss if we didn't ask you to continue to give your best for the kids. Can you sponsor a child, increase your current sponsorship, make a special one-time gift, or join the next team? Your support is still needed and it still helps provide the kids with our best.

Tom Cribbs

Co-Leader, Volunteer Support Team

tlcribbs@rochester.rr.com

Early LIteracy Emphasis

Literacy Books The Costa Rican culture does not value reading to young children; books are for school. In planning discussions with Tim and Dena, they presented this as a ministry opportunity. My challenge would be to model, teach and mentor the tias about the value of reading to children. Fortunately, there are many wonderful downloadable literacy resources available in both Spanish and English that helped me prepare. Also, Amazon.com carries a wonderful inventory of Spanish and Bi-lingual children's books.

I had such fun selecting my teaching materials: 22 books, 2 music CD's, a set of finger puppets, CEF Flipper Flappers and bi-lingual flash cards. (It seemed like a lot here, but so few when actually delivered to the 3 houses and the preschool teacher.)

The early literacy training was well received by the tias, even though NONE OF THEM WERE READ TO AT HOME AS A CHILD! I quickly discovered that most of the tias want to learn more English. Since many of these children's books are bilingual, both the children and the tias benefit from this early literacy program!

The children love the new, brightly colored Sp Linda and Julio anish books. The attached photo captures a highlight of the trip. Julio, who is has severe disabilities in all developmental areas, spent two hours with me looking at a Spanish/English Picture dictionary. His participation and talking increased throughout the session. We had a wonderful time, looking at pictures as Julio identified them. (Of course, these bi-lingual books also helped me as I struggled with Spanish!) During a church service, a one year old in my lap twisted and turned a board book Buenos Dias, Bebe!, patting the faces and smiling at each baby in the book. A tia commented that this was probably the first book she had ever held.

I am committed to getting many more Spanish children's books delivered so books and reading become the norm at Hogar de Vida. Shipping is a risk because many packages are stolen in route; so short-term missionaries will deliver books. A woman leaving the end of March has already received 36 additional books to personally deliver. Perhaps more will go with a summer missionary. Tom and I will take 50 pounds (suitcase weight limit) when we return in September. If you would like me to buy books on your behalf, please know I will happily place an order. I have a very long list of "saved" books in my Amazon.com cart!

Linda Cribbs, Teacher

Child Development and Family

Tell Your Friends

One of the most valuable things you can do as a partner in our ministry is to tell your friends about the Homes of Life. It's easy to just click the Forward email link below to the left to forward this email and share your own thoughts.

Disclaimer

Children of Promise International does not provide goods or services in consideration, in whole or in part except where noted, for contributions received. Children of Promise International, Inc. is organized exclusively for religious purposes and the only benefit provided to you is an intangible religious benefit. Upon receipt of a donation, a receipt letter is sent and should be retained for income tax purposes. Children of Promise International may direct contributions where deemed necessary for ministry purposes.

All contributions are income tax deductible in the United States of America and are made with the understanding that Children of Promise has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.