Help Us Fund our Eco School in Costa Rica

Very happy to report that our bilingual creative learning centre is now open and both children and teachers are enjoying being back on Campus at Only Love. 

It literally made me tear up our first day back, hearing their laughter. For us the transition back was pretty smooth, in general we are always washing hands and cleaning surfaces and we always enjoy learning outside. The only real difference has been reinforcing personal space bubble lessons and group space bubbles. 

The parents have also been very responsible. Last week was Costa Rican Mother's Day and the children busily crafted - Love Spinners, with love for their mums. Nearly all the parents were brought to tears when they received their gifts. Prehaps it was a profound reminder of how important family is and good health and love are all you really need.

Everyday at Only Love we practice gratitude and send love, good health and strength to all the children and their families around the world.

We realise we are very lucky to be experiencing the pandemic in Costa Rica where even when in full quarantine we have had the luxury of so much nature and outdoor space to explore. Of course many people in our community have lost their jobs and some small businesses have closed, which is happening globally. But the positive of leaving in a small community is that we have all consciously tried to support each other, whether that be food parcel initiatives and financial aid for families struggling to meet their basic daily needs, or just by listening and caring for each other.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of you that have continually supported us and cheered for us from a far. Hopefully we can all continue to find something daily to be grateful. When we are consciously mindful it's easy to have empathy for others, and just like the children we can spread love and kindness around the world with one random act of kindness a day.

Only Love,

Costa Rica Mal Pais

We had a wonderful start to the year hosting two service project groups at Only Love. As always the volunteers were full of enthusiasm and we really managed to get a lot of jobs done, while still having time to sing, dance oractice yoga and even climb our grandmother banyan tree! Unfortunately things quickly changed early March. We had to cancel a service project and then the Prime Minister announced all education centres would close while we went into quarantine. Like most of the world many families in our community were immediately financially impacted. Our town relies mostly on tourism and as tourist rushed to get flights home the town quickly emptied.

Also like teachers all over the world we have had to quickly adapt to online learning. At Only Love our children are very young so we have easily been able to put social and emotional health before academics. We have focused on empathy and connection with each other, families and our community members. One of our parents successfully raised enough money to feed 200 families for a month through a raffle, she already has the second raffle in play - like so many families both her and her husband have lost their jobs but they remain selfless and continue to think of others in desperate need. The local supermarkets also have donation tables placed at the door for clients to add toiletries and food for those in need.

I think that this pandemic has shown the true nature of the human spirit and I feel very blessed and humbled to witness such kindness and generosity.

We will continue to practice gratitude for every new day we are given.

Stay healthy and plant a garden!

Only Love,

Costa Rica Education