The following is from a journal kept by Jessie about her experiences in Costa Rica on an EcoTeach project, led by Mary Lynn Bryan and Sara Euser, two River School teachers. EcoTeach supports local projects in Costa Rica focusing on two areas-- the protection and conservation of the endangered Sea Turtles and locally administered reforestation projects. One of the River School's goals is to know that the world is interconnected and interdependent and that each of us has the capacity to make a difference in our world. Jessie's reflections reveal that she now understands this on a deep and personal level.
Jessie describes her first beach patrol at night:
"The first thing I saw upon coming to the beach was a radiating ocean. The waves were so dark and crashing, and the sand looked black. Because it was so dark and because driftwood is so light, it almost looked as if it were glowing. The sky was a gorgeous shade of midnight blue, and the stars were like small diamonds perched in the sky. It was amazing. When the giant mass that was the turtle first came into view, it took my breath away. The only think I could think of was, "wow". I never imagined any reptile could be so big. It was so amazing. The shell of the sea giant was softer than I would have thought. I later learned that they have to be a little soft to survive the pressure of the ocean depths. Its flippers were powerful and squishy and I had to move away as it turned itself in the sand and started making its way to the water. As I watched it, I admired its strength and determination. It could have given up, but it didn't. It kept going until it hit the water. As soon as it did, I felt all happy inside. She had made it. Milagra (the turtle's name, it means "miracle") was a milagra".
". . .we found out that a nest of baby turtles had hatched, and they were releasing them to the ocean. We thought this wasn't going to happen until 5:30 a.m. the next morning. We rushed out to the coastgard point, where William had the 14 hatchlings in a large bucket. They were the most adorable things I've seen on this trip. And once again, I said, "Wow". But I also said, "Awwww" a lot! they were about 100 times smaller than their mother. We found a good spot on the beach, and we each got to hold one. It was a very touching moment. The baby was squirming its fins/flippers in my hands, trying to move forward. Because it had just come from the sandy bucket, there were patches and clumps of sand stuck to its little body. The shell was softer than its mother's, but the fins were a little firmer. It was so amazing. I felt so fortunate to be able to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience. So many feelings were running though me at once, it was hard to sort them all out. All I definitely know, was that I loved the little turtle in my hands. When it came time to release them, William had us all form a line facing the ocean. William stood at the edge of the water, and shined his regular flashlight towards us. (This is why we couldn't go by any flashlight except our guide's red one; turtles follow the reflection of moonlight on the water, and if they see another light, they'll get confused and follow it). In one mass movement, the babies tripped and stumbled, pushing their way over driftwood and mini sand dunes, all the while imprinting the beach of birth in their minds. (The babies have to crawl down a small expanse of the beach before reaching the water so they can imprint it in their minds and return when they need to lay eggs) (turtles always return to the beach within a kilometer of where they were born). It was so exciting, sad and thrilling when their little bodies were swept into the crashing surf."
"This trip has been so amazing. I loved the way I could see the difference I was making. Knowing that I helped others and the world gives me a great satisfaction. As Alex (the guide from Ecoteach) said before, there a too many people to count that say this should be done, and that should be done to help the condition of the world. But who actually does them? We were the ones who took the initiative to come on this trip and participate in such activities as reforesting and beach clean ups. Sure, neither are bundles of fun, but they're still things that need doing, and someone's got to do them. I personally loved patrolling the beach in Parismina. But I also know people who didn't enjoy that much. You get extremely hot and sweaty. You're up half the night walking 5 miles across the sand. You get tired. you get thirsty. You don't get long to rest. But the reward of seeing a big mama Leatherback or setting her babies free is priceless. If I had the opportunity, I would be back in Parismina doing it all over again. Costa Rican Cockroaches included. Because it's all worth it. It is all worth that amazing feeling of satisfaction, success and being able to give and receive in return. If this trip has taught me anything, it has taught me that it is possible to take 5 minute showers. But I've taken away so much more than that. The children in Parismina helped me to realize it's O.K. to live how you want to. They were always so kind and giving, and they never hesitated to help if it was possible. The language barrier never mattered, because we could communicate on another level. I enjoyed every minute I stayed in the village of Parismina, although I didn't realize it until we were gone. Parisimina also made me realize all of my life that I have taken things for granted. Seeing these children missing out on everything my life consists of made me sad. But never once did I see them stop smiling. They might not be rich or famous, but they were living their lives fully and happily. It was like they were trying to prove they were happier without frivolous material things and petty worries. And they did look happier without many of the things that cause stress and suicide in our society today. Never was there a moment they wouldn't willingly hold your hand or play a game. Always did they try to fill us up with their happiness and bliss from being high on life."..........
Christina, Jessie's mother, had this to say about the experience:
Jessie ended with saying that she wants to go back to volunteer again and that they will take responsible 16 year olds. What more can I say?!!! As a parent, the experiences above far surpass any expectations I may have had about becoming aware of another culture, giving from the heart etc. I'm truly grateful to River School and to Mary Lynn and Sara for taking the kids on this great adventure!