International Day of Happiness

Today (Monday, March 20) is the International Day of Happiness. I feel like this is the perfect day for me to write about my experience working in Costa Rica so far, because if there was one word I would use to sum it up it would be: happy. Not to sound too cheesy, but there is something about this country, the people who live here and the environment in which they live, that captivated me since the second I stepped foot on Costa Rican soil. I have become completely drawn to the “Pura Vida” lifestyle that Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, live by. Though Pura Vida is used to mean many things, my understanding of it reflects the simple sense of happiness that people decide to live by. By focusing on the positives of life, they refuse to allow any sense of worry occupy their minds. I find this perspective to be incredibly inspiring, since sometimes it is easy to allow negativity to weigh us down and distract us from what is truly important. Everywhere I go, I am greeted with a smile. I can’t walk down the street without seeing families and friends talking and laughing, simply enjoying each other’s company. I may have only gotten to Costa Rica two months ago, but everyday I find myself more aware of the beauty that surrounds me and more interested in forming human connections that ever. I wake up with a smile on my face knowing that everyday in this country is an adventure.

One of the greatest sources of joy for me has undoubtedly been the children I work with! The amount of happiness these children bring to me is unparalleled. Their enthusiasm, determination, and positivity toward lacrosse reminds me of the simple joy that participating in a sport can bring. It is the exact sense of joy that had me hooked on lacrosse since the age of five. One thing I am certain of: I may be teaching the children lacrosse, but I am learning so much about life from them. Most importantly, they are teaching me not to take life too seriously and to enjoy every moment. For example, though I have seen plenty of beginners struggle to catch and throw, I have not observed a single ounce of frustration as a result. The look of triumph on their faces when they do finally manage to catch the ball if proof of the magic that this sport can have. It is this exact enthusiasm to learn and grow that motivates me everyday to give my very best to these children. And it is that exact enthusiasm that makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world to have the opportunity to work with LtN in Costa Rica.

With all of that being said, the Lacrosse the Nations team is thrilled to announce that we are seeking enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers to join our programs in 2017! With their help, we are looking forward to boosting our programs and making them stronger and more impactful than ever. By volunteering with LtN, you would not only be helping LtN grow, but volunteering has been proven to have a positive impact on personal happiness as well! Recent studies have found that volunteering is highly associated with greater health and happiness, and just a few hours of volunteer work can make a difference in happiness and mood. The experience of helping others has also been found to provide meaning, a sense of self worth, and health enhancement. Statistics also show that of people who volunteer, 96% say it enriches their sense of purpose, 78% say it lowers their stress levels, and 94% say it improves their mood. Living in a beautiful country, being surrounded by incredible people, growing the game, AND significantly increasing your personal level of happiness?! It doesn’t get much better than that!

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” — Helen Keller

Celebrate International Day of Happiness by checking out our 2017 volunteer openings in Costa Rica and Nicaragua to learn more about how to get involved!  

http://www.idealist.org/view/org/6zCZSwmKC3H4/
 

International Women's Day: A Look at Nica WLAX

Here in Nica, our style of lacrosse is a little different. Girls and boys play together. In past years, all of our players at Chiquilistagua and Club Hope played with men’s sticks as their only equipment. This made it easy for girls and boys to play equally and competitively on the same field. They had the same rules, the same gear, and the same love for the game.

This past fall, due to several generous donations and the rapid expansion of our programs, we were able to add helmets and gloves to all of our practices. With this addition, the game we play reaches a higher and more competitive level each day. Our players have the equipment to play harder while staying safe. While there are quite a few girls who enjoy this aspect, and continue to dominate the field, we are straying from the gender-neutral version of lacrosse we were once able play. Our practices are becoming more and more like the regulated boys’ games we know in the States. These recent changes combined with the presence of myself and local girls’ coach, Darian, have provided us with the opportunity to expand LtN Nicaragua to offer lacrosse instruction exclusively for girls.

We currently have 26 girls participating in co-ed practices. These girls will be able to continue to do so, with the additional option to attend girls-only sessions with women’s equipment. Princeton Women’s Lacrosse was generous enough to donate the first round of goggles and sticks to make these practices possible. The creation of a women’s program will take some time. Interest for the sport needs to grow organically – similarly to how we started our co-ed programs years back. I spend time at Chiquilistagua on Monday and Thursday afternoons, so that girls can join during recess or come outside of the co-ed practice time to receive girl-specific instruction. Right now, we have five girls who have been attending outside of co-ed participants, with new ones showing interest.

I think once more girls see these afternoon sessions, more interest will be generated. Lacrosse is still very much a foreign sport here. To a middle or high school aged girl, playing in full mens’ gear can be pretty intimidating. Being able to see girls throw around in space dedicated solely to women’s lacrosse, women’s instruction, and the building of a women’s team environment will attract more girls to explore this new and exciting sport. Once number rise, we can begin holding a full practice using all girls’ equipment and rules. Considering our recent program growth and current staff, this is the perfect time to make this expansion. With the experience of our old players and excitement of our new ones, I believe the girls’ program is going to take off with record speed!

LtN Scholarship Expansion

This school year, we were able spread our scholarship reach to more LtN athletes. You may know about our original LtN Scholars program, which awards one 6th grader in Costa Rica and one rising senior or one older player that has not been able to attend school in Nicaragua. Our LtN Scholar program developed out of need for change. In Costa Rica, receiving a high school education in the area of Potrero means travelling to the next town – a financial burden on many families. In Nicaragua, rising seniors who wish to go on to University can be dissuaded by financial barriers like needing to start work to support their families, or the costs of classes, supplies, and transportation. The LtN Scholarship program pays for our scholar’s school and supplies while also providing them with the opportunity to coach with LtN to receive a stipend to support their families while furthering their education. After expressing the needs of many other athletes in our programs, LtN was awarded the Bill Belichik Grant – giving us the opportunity to expand our reach.

This Spring, we provided 22 LtN players of various ages in Nicaragua with school supplies for the entire year. Eleven players from Chiquilistagua and eleven players from Club Hope were awarded with notebooks, geometric tools and graph paper, writing utensils, two full school uniforms, and two sport uniforms for gym class. While students can attend public primary and secondary school here, the costs for uniforms, books, and transportation can be overwhelming for families. This scholarship expansion helps these 22 players by lowering the costs associated with receiving education – encouraging the kids to remain in or return to school. Without the BFF Grant, none of this would be possible.

Under these scholarships, we aim to encourage good school performance and responsibility on and off the field. Players who have received supplies for the year are expected to maintain a 75% grade point average and attend study hall each day that we hold practice. Awarded players are also expected to come to every lacrosse practice unless they provide an excused absence.

Parents of children receiving the scholarship are expected to support their children with pursuing their scholarly responsibilities, helping ensure that they are attending school each day. In addition, scholarship parents stay informed by attending meetings with the coaches and staff of LtN. As liaisons, LtN coaches and program directors are responsible for the positive encouragement of scholarship players on and off the field. Coaches are present for study hall sessions and provide tutoring to all LtN students who need it.

Receiving an education in Nicaragua is not always a priority. With the help of the Bill Belichik Foundation, we are reinforcing the importance of education to our student athletes and how much we value it. Our first and foremost priority is to address the challenges of receiving education. Through their participation, student athletes can speak to and work with LtN coaches, volunteers, and staff to find the best avenues to make a change. Through the expansion of our scholarship program, we hope to encourage more kids to join LtN, making their own personal growth and development a part of their everyday lives.