What does a child at Hogar de Vida eagerly look forward to? Among other things there are planned activities for each day of the week, including time with Christy in la escualita (preschool,) morning devotional times in El Rancho, that end with the announcement of the "amen," that cues the children to make a bee-line to wash their hands before a fruit snack. Then there's
free time in our play area, the swimming pool in the summer, or a quick walk to the neighboring football (soccer) field to watch a game.
Informal Outings
To enhance the socialization of our children, we have 96 outings planned for this year which means 32 per house. These include "informal" and "formal" outings. Informal outings allow our children to experience our local community. While learning to relate socially, they also learn that they are important citizens of the community. Under appropriate supervision they visit the local fire-station, police station, hairdresser, and church on Sunday. The houses only have to make a snap decision, call administration, recruit a driver, and off we go in one of our vans. Even if it is to simply buy an ice-cream and wander around the local central park, these spur-of-the-moment outings have a budget that covers snacks and drinks, so there is flexibility. Generally the babies stay at home.
Formal Outings
More ambitious outings include four "formal" outings planned per house per year. They have a more ample budget and require more planning. For example, a trip to the beach would require a meal plan: something as wonderful as arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) made ahead, home-made refried beans, potato chips that traditionally accompany the main dish, and a sliced cabbage salad marinated in lemon juice. This is party food at its best! The Hogar picnic routine is similar to that of a North American family. Except when 12 children go to the beach, there have to be twelve changes of clothes, twelve towels, and sufficient suntan lotion and bug repellant for twelve bodies and twenty-four legs! All the kids have to be buckled in, but, "Who took the car-seats out of the van and where did they put them?" The "tias" have to get themselves ready and all the children too. "PLEASE be ready to go a such and such an hour!" Coordination is the key. And don't forget the water to rinse off sandy feet before getting in the van after the sun goes down on the adventure. Lots of planning and lots of fun. Everyone sleeps well on the way home, except for the driver!
So far this year, House 1 and House 3 have been to Volcan Poas (Poas volcano) to enjoy what visitors to Costa Rica pay millions every year to enjoy. House 2 went to the Rio Turrubares and had the best day swimming in the river. 
Already coordinated on the calendar is a formal trip to the Children's museum, a day at the hot springs, a visit to the Mall (imagine that?), and a day of dizzy wonder at Parque de Diversiones (think Disneyland.) And for later in the year, well, every child everywhere needs to go to the zoo!
For the children, socialization is stimulating and varied. Fun, fun, fun! For the wonderful Tias that serve at Hogar de Vida, it's just another part of their job description except that they do it with their whole heart and soul. That's how socialization happens at Hogar de Vida. "Que' chiva!" (Loosely translated "That's cool.")
Helen Clare Smith
Operations Director
P.S. Ministry Partners, it's your generous support that enables Hogar de Vida to enrich the lives of our children. Thank you.
