Mom & 10 y/o in Hojancha had an incredible time!

I did intense research for over a year on various countries & programs. I ultimately chose TA bc they were legitimate, they allowed my 10 y/o child to volunteer, they offered a program to directly work w/ & assist people (as opposed to eco-programs), the communities to choose from were safe, & CR has a sound infra-structure (roads, nearby hospitals, competent medical care -- all impt to me w/ my child). In prep for our visit, Susan was responsive to my many em's & Qs. I would strongly suggest asking all of your questions in advance as the "handbook" needed to be updated & online info was a bit remiss. Armed w/ the answers to my Qs, I felt we could not have been more prepared for our trip.
During our stay, our host family & the school were PHENOMENAL! No, we did not have hot water, a private bathroom, a/c, or even solid interior/exterior walls. Yes, we had to walk in the heat several blocks to the school & around town & got quite a few mosquito bites (no biggies). BUT, the hospitality of our host family & the overall generosity & spirit of Hojanchans made it all worth it & then some. Hojanchans by & large make it a point to visit with extended family & friends almost every day & didn't seem to fret over the small things. The kids at the Center were smart & precocious & enjoyed the projects we brought w/ us. Lucy, our TA assistant at the school, was incredibly helpful & extremely attentive to our needs. My daughter will always remember her time there & hopefully never forget to enjoy & focus on what's truly important in life. We got to experience the REAL PURA VIDA! Much gratitude to our host (Rosemary & her family), Hojancha, & TA!