Working with kids at La Carpio, San Jose

I have been extremely lucky ! After finally deciding to experiment volunteering abroad and do some searching, i found Maximo Nivel. From the start, all our conversations (online chat and e-mail) and explanations assured me as much as possible that this adventure would turn out well.
I've been in San Jose for two weeks, placed at Maria Aux, a daycare for young children from La Carpio neighbourhood, very poor and complicated. What the responsible for the project, Silvia Aguilar, does with the limited space and conditions is amazing : a safe space for the kids, with songs, reading, painting, etc.
The children couldn't be sweeter and were eager to have our help doing all kinds of things, which i gladly did. I could see how Maximo Nivel and previous volunteers have invested in improving the daycare's conditions and it is a work in progress.
I felt very welcomed at the placement and can honestly say that Maximo's team, especially Steve and Emily, were there for whatever i needed. Steve, your idea of a Christmas party is absolutely amazing !
I had a bit more than basic notions of Spanish and felt that the communication with the kids and adults allowed me to give and take much more from this experience.
I've moved now to Manuel Antonio for my final week in Costa Rica. I expect to have a good experience in the new place, but i doubt it will be as rewarding as Maria Aux and La Carpio ! I will surely miss it.