Working for tans the hard way...
While most students spent spring vacation relaxing in the Keys or Panama City, two Moore School finance majors, Ryan Herald, Martinez, Georgia, and Stephanie vineyard, Chatanooga, Tennessee, were among thirteen University of South Carolina students and their priest who trekked into the unknown of Costa Rica to help an indigent family of twelve while leaving lasting impacts on an entire village. This group, sponsored by Saint Thomas More Catholic Church and aided by the Dobson Volunteer Service Program, worked in a town of 300 called Sandalo. They held a childrens day camp while constructing a formidable home for this family who once slept in the open underneath a canopy made of scraps of metal and plastic bags.
The Dobson Volunteer Service Program of the University of South Carolina
awarded this group funds to defray half of their expenses. This trip was
coordinated entirely by the students with the aid of Trinity Missions Center,
who connected the group with the Sandalo community. They knew little more than
the phone number and name of the priests who met them in Puerto Jimenez and San
Jose, and that their work would likely involve construction. After traveling for
ten hours in airports and airplanes, and nine hours on a bus, they arrived in
Puerto Jimenez, which is a small town in the south of the Osa Peninsula that
serves Sandalo. The group was housed in an old convent and they rose early each
morning to start their day.
Pouring a concrete floor in the United States is a task
that usually takes only a few hours and very few people because the cement is
already prepared and only needs to be poured in the prepared location. In Costa
Rica, this group sifted the sand/dirt mix, measured the right quantity to mix
with cement powder, added enough water to make concrete, and then carefully mix
the concrete with shovels. This exhausting process took about an hour and a half
with nine people working before the concrete was ready for pouring, and it only
covered a surface area of 100 square feet. 
Pouring 400 square feet of concrete for the bedrooms was the only mission for this groups seven-day stay. Because of their fortitude and group chemistry they finished the living area in 1.5 days and were also able to lay a kitchen floor and a new roof before leaving. The group took up a collection on the last day, which should be enough to provide the family for sewage and electricity.
Prior to this groups arrival, the residents of Sandalo only encountered Americans as visitors or as images on television. Through the day camp the students helped the children learn English, played a variety of games, and overcame cultural and language barriers through bridges of understanding, love, and nonverbal communication.
The Sandalo village is looking to build a classroom for the kindergarten children to relive the stress of sharing a classroom with the English students. Any monetary donations for building supplies will be greatly appreciated. The totally cost of the project is estimated to be $1000.
Also, the children of Costa Rica are not allowed to attend school without the proper uniforms. While the uniforms only cost a few dollars, this is a hardship for many families that prevents their children from receiving an education. We are looking for white and blue short sleeve button down shirts, navy skirts, shorts, and pants, navy socks, and black shoes, all in childrens sizes. If you are interested in donating money or uniforms please send them to St. Thomas More care of the Costa Rica Mission Trip at 1610 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
This group consisted of Tamera Beam of Cherryville, NC, Rachel Bowman of San
Antonio, TX, Thomas Chandler of Lexington, SC, Marie Connelly of Chapin, SC,
Kristie Etson of Centerville, OH, Ryan Herald of Martinez, GA, Janet Hirsch of
Tonawanda, NY, Nicholas Hoppmann of Columbia, SC, Emily Mitchell of Oakridge,
TN, Lauren Saleeby of Florence, SC, Kristy Schleibaum of Burke, VA, Stephanie
Vineyard of Chattonooga, TN, Rebecca Wilson of Bowling Green, KY, and Father
Timothy Lijewski of Charleston, SC.
Because the impact of this experience was profound and will be enduring for both the American visitors and the Sandalo residents the group was invited back to maintain the relationships they forged.