University of Alabama Students Bring Water to Indigenous Community
by Shawn Pendergrass

An isolated indigenous community in Costa Rica can now count on safe and reliable drinking water thanks to a group of students from the Community Service Center of the University of Alabama. This group of 11 students dedicated their past winter break to making a significant difference in the lives of others.

The University of Alabama group came on one of our custom courses, with the main intention of completing a meaningful service project. Costa Rica Outward Bound instructor Orlando Zamora has volunteered for years with an indigenous community in the Turrialba area, and he connected our organization with the community. This led to University of Alabama´s service project: constructing a system to bring clean water to the village of Valle Escondido, an indigenous reserve in Costa Rica inhabited by the Cabécar Indians.

Students hiked 10 miles through the rainforest, at times in knee-deep mud, while carrying tools, materials and a week´s worth of supplies. The experience challenged the students, pushed them to their limits and took them into a world of thatched roofs and dirt floors that most people only have the chance to visit through the pages of a travel magazine.

Most of the time in Valle Escondido was dedicated to the primary service project of constructing a water system that would ensure the village easy and dependable access to clean water. Secondary projects included donating school supplies and basic hygiene products, as well as giving Christmas gifts to the children. The visiting group had the opportunity to interact with the people of the village and learn about their rituals, customs and daily way of life.

Click here to see a video slideshow of the group´s experience.

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