Centro de Tutoria

Today was the much anticipated beginning of our new Tutoring Center in Los Guido. Through home visits, time at the guardaria, and kids at the club de niños, it’s clear that there is a huge need for scholastic support in the community. Many of the moms in community did not make it past 3rd grade, and therefore do not feel equipped to help their children with their studies. The schools are extremely over crowded, and you’d be hard pressed to find a book in any of the classrooms.

Tracey and I are eager to start working with the kids in the community, but we also want to be sure were are offering the kids the best support possible. There is a tension between wanting to help every kid, but knowing that if we start out with too many kids we won’t be able to provide quality assistance to kids who really need one-on-one attention. Last night, as we baked cookies and prepared last minute details, we had no idea how many kids would show up today. I was a little nervous, much like the first day of school as a new teacher. I prayed that God would bring the kids He wanted to be there, and that He would give me the words to explain clearly, in Spanish, our hope for the tutoring.

And He proved Himself faithful; the day turned out perfect! In the morning group of orientation, we had several of our leaders from the club de niños, as well as a few other girls. They were all very excited about the tutoring center and seemed readily in accordance with the guidelines we had set out. They eagerly explained everything to one of the girls who came in late.

When it came time for the afternoon orientation, two of the girls from the morning group showed up with their younger siblings, neighbors, and a friend. They were super excited, and wanted to know why we couldn’t start tomorrow. (We are doing another orientation tomorrow, for those who couldn’t make it today).


At the end of both sessions we gave each kid a book from the collection of children Spanish literature that was donated. It made me so content to know that each child now has their own book. For most of them, it is probably the first book they’ve ever owned. I know there are going to be many challenges we will face, as we try to support these precious kids in their journey to expand and use their mind, but I am thrilled to be able to work with kids through the medium of education. There are endless possibilities of what we can do through the space the church has provided us. My mind is spinning with ideas. For now, please continue to pray for me and Tracey, and each one of the kids who come to the tutoring center. Pray that we would have patience, language, and wisdom how to best serve each child. Pray that the kids would be like sponges, and that they would be able to overcome the many obstacles they face in learning.



This is the main room of the tutoring center. We also will have the small room off to the side to set up a mini library and use for special group tutoring

Also, tomorrow afternoon we have another group of Students coming from the States. This time they are a large group of freshmen in high school, so it will be a completely different experience from the last group. :-) In the mornings they will help finish preparing the tutoring center by painting and finishing furniture. In the afternoons, they will work alongside me tutoring students or helping the Costa Rican kids practice their English.