Volunteering has been a major part of my life since I was 12 years old. Some of my first volunteer projects included working with animals and the elderly. It instilled values in me that I otherwise may have missed out on–things like gratitude, compassion for all living things, and a sense of purpose. Volunteering humbles me completely, and I jump at the chance to serve whenever I can.
When you combine those positive results with an amazing country like Costa Rica, it might become a necessary part of your life like it has for me. I’m currently volunteering for the third time with Maximo Nivel’s child care program and I will always choose to do it again. Costa Rica’s incredibly diverse ecology and the sustainable mindset of the people give me hope for a better tomorrow. Every time I come back, I learn more about a beautiful culture, I improve my Spanish, and I learn to slow down and embrace the “Pura Vida” lifestyle. When I’m here, I feel a sense of tranquility, and I remember that life isn’t meant to be rushed.
The children I work with are an inspiration themselves. They come from humble backgrounds that often lack any luxury, and sometimes even necessities. And yet, they’re the happiest kids I know. I get millions of hugs from these tiny people every day, and I’m reminded that we are all made of love that’s meant to be shared with others.
My volunteer day typically consist of teaching the kids hula hooping, yoga, and meditation–some of my favorite activities. It keeps them active, but also teaches them mindfulness at an early age. I constantly remind them to wash their hands to instill basic hygiene habits that will keep them healthy, and only after they’ve completed this small, yet important, task, we have lunch together.
I’m sure they don’t understand how great an impact they have on me, which makes me hope I’m positively impacting them even half as much. I love to share travel stories with them, and teach them a little bit about my own culture, since I learn so much from them about theirs. I hope that by teaching yoga and art, I’m inspiring them to be creative, fearless individuals, now and in the future.
My main goal is to help others understand the importance of volunteering through photography. I take my camera everywhere so that I don’t miss an opportunity to capture a unique moment, experience, or feeling. I want to remember the smiles on those kids’ faces for as long as possible, and through photography, share a story without words. I hope to inspire others to take a chance at giving back, to look within, and to live with courage, and without prejudice and hate. I aspire to cultivate a world that accepts everyone for who they are, and to help those in need whenever possible. We are only as strong as our weakest member, so together, let’s make the world a better place for everyone by volunteering locally, and volunteering abroad.
“I am Melissa Robin: a free spirited traveler. I found my love for photography in high school and like all high school love I knew it would last forever. But, unlike all high school love, it has not only lasted, it awakened a gift and my desire to reveal the beauty in our world. For more photos capturing my volunteer abroad experience in Costa Rica, visit my blog https://melissarobin.wordpress.com/”