We have been blessed with volunteers who have come here from all over the world. They stay for weeks, even months, and help with the activities at The Bridge. Without their help, our work would be much more difficult. The other day, I ran into this quote about volunteers, and it really rang a bell.

“Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.”
- Sherry Ruth Anderson, Ph.D.

Sherry Ruth Anderson, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice in
San Rafael, CA. and co-author of the best-selling The Feminine Face of God:
The Unfolding of the Sacred in Women (Bantam, 1991) and The Cultural
Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World (Harmony, 2000).

Nanci and I would like to say Thank You! to all you priceless volunteers who come to serve soup, help with homework, help us repair Bridge facilities, teach English, and whatever else needs doing around here.

THANK YOU!

"Football at the beach"

Few weeks ago Nanci & I (Sophie) went to playa negra with Alejandro and Ronualdo.They were playing football whilst we had a loong and enjoyable swim.

Here s some pictures . . .

Happy Boys :)

Ronualdo in action . .

Andrew Condon Vidaurre, volunteer from the USA

I heard about El Puente from Nanci, who I met at a nearby beach. She told me about the organization and I thought it sounded interesting.

Now I live in the area and I come by Barry and Nanci's house two or three times a week. I try to help with translating and whatever else I can do.

After a little time here, it's clear to me that this is a very special place, and I look forward to further contributing to it's goals while I'm here.

"From one island to another"

(Swantje, 30, Northern Germany)

I’ve been here in the Caribbean since more than two months to make some experiences in hotel and tourism stuff. I get in touch with Barry and Nancy in a hotel. First of all I was curious about The Bridge so I came to have a look and for getting to know the children. And I came again. And again….I love playing and learning with them. And the intercultural exchange and conversations with people from all over the world I also really like. It’s a project to open your mind and to be open hearted. Thank you so much!
This block is a good opportunity to stay in touch.

Sophie Lindvik - Volunteer from Norway

(Sophie Lindvik, 27 yr Old. Meeting for scouts w Joseph & Barry)

I arrived here a month ago! Of origin i am Norwegian Swiss and French, raised in Oslo, Norway.

Since finishing my degree in 2003 from Bournemouth University i have worked in Oslo, Belgium and Denmark. Next to full time job i have been working at a hospital as assistant (nursing) in Lounge & Infection department the past 7 years.

I enjoy travelling, new cultures and meeting people. For many years i have wanted to take some time off and do volunteer work with focus on kids.


I heard about TheBridge through a article written from Maja and Mina in the Norwegian newspaper and researched it from there and decided that this was just the project i was looking for - thanks girls :)





It s been a month i since i got here and it s the best desicion ever. I am having a great experience together with Barry, Nanci, the kids and other volunteers.

We hope to develop this page with lots of interesting pictures and stories from our work here.

Ben Bates

Ben Bates arrived at El Puente 2 weeks ago. Ben is of origin Canadian / American - 30 yr Old

He s moved down to Costa Rica for permant stay with a yearly long visit to Canada.
Ben is a enthusiast for diving / snorkling and helping out in the local communtiy.

He is over the last two weeks had the time to get to know the people at The Bridge as well given donation and brought lots of sweets to the kids :)
Ben will be participating on volunteer activities - we are so happy to have him on our team!

Monthly pledge program

Donations through Monthly Pledge...

http://www.elpuente-thebridge.org/pledge/

By signing up for a Monthly Pledge Subscription, you are:

- Helping children go to school and to stay there, in the School Program;
- Helping children and their families with healthy meals through the Food Program;
- Helping people with Income Generation--with microloans, training, and connections to jobs;

Allowing the families and we serve to Build Hope-a vital step to progress;
Barry & Nanci Stevens, Co-Founders of The Bridge, are the two largest pledgers in this program.

Their entire Social Security payments are pledged to pay the operating expenses of The Bridge. We can therefore say that 100% of your pledges are put toward Bridge