In a small rural area located within one of our partner communities in Costa Rica, a house stood in disrepair, almost abandoned. It was a challenging living situation for an elderly couple with disabilities who had lived there for years, unable to leave due to the steep and distant location. The couple had been confined to their home for four long years, unable to walk into the community or access basic needs. Holes in the roof and deteriorating conditions made their daily lives even more difficult. This is where one of our most recently completed volunteer projects started.
One of the community leaders, deeply concerned about the couple’s plight, reached out to MEDLIFE, and we immediately recognized the urgent need for intervention. The plan was to build a new house for the couple, situated closer to their daughter’s home, so she could assist them with groceries, appointments, and other essential tasks.
With the support of the community, the construction project began to take shape. One of the community leaders helped secure donations, including electricity and windows, to ensure the new home would be fully functional. Over the course of several Service Learning Trips, MEDLIFE volunteers from Nova Southeastern University, University of Michigan, University of Florida, University of Chicago, University of Miami, Vermont State University, Queen’s University, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, University of Ottawa, Carmel High School, and many more, rolled up their sleeves and got to work on the construction, transforming the plans into reality.
The final group of volunteers to work on this project, who focused on landscaping, added the finishing touches to the project. They created a charming trail with rocks and a garden, infusing the space with beauty and life. Although the elderly couple could no longer see, they could feel and smell the flowers, adding a touch of comfort to their new environment.
This thoughtful addition not only brought joy to the couple but also provided much-needed support to their daughter and family. With the new house completed, the couple now enjoys a safer, more accessible home, surrounded by the love and care of their community and MEDLIFE. The transformation from an uninhabitable house to a welcoming home is a testament to the power of collective effort and compassion from the community and our dedicated MEDLIFErs who work on our volunteer projects.
If you’re interested in international volunteering and want to learn how you can travel to new destinations and serve communities like this one, consider joining a MEDLIFE Service Learning Trip today! Assist in helping others gain access to healthcare, infrastructure and education. To learn more, fill out the interest form below, check out our upcoming trips, or download our free brochure!