Vanessa volunteers in Costa Rica
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
Vanessa Butani, daughter of club treasurer Raj, spent six months in Costa Rica as a volunteer after graduating from university.
"It was an amazing experience," she told club members last week.
"It was an amazing experience," she told club members last week.
"I gained a better understanding of what's important in life. Small things really make a big difference.It was a tremendous feeling of helping, of giving back."
Following graduation, Vanessa was looking for an opportunity to volunteer, to work with kids. The program she joined in Costa Rica involved working with children who had degenerative diseases.
She joined 30 young people from around the world who travelled to Costa Rica to work in a community service program. The program's goal was to help particpants "develop knowledge and skills and understanding for a more just and peaceful world."
She worked in a program that helped families cope with children who had progressive diseases; unusual diseases like Batten, Niemann Pick and Rhett's Syndrome.
APRONEP or the Association Pro Children with Progressive Diseases is 100 per cent volunteer and involves about 80 families across Costa Rica.
Her job involved some administrative duties, attendance at executive meetings, planning activities for children and families and visiting families.
"We were there to help and provide support for these families", Vanessa said.
"Despite the differences in illness, financial circumstances, the unifying factor, common to all, is the love they have for their children. They keep on fighting and they will not give up."
Vanessa thanked Rotary for "this amazing experience."
"I have a better understanding of a different culture, I made lifelong friends and a deeper understanding of how important family is."
Check out some of Vanessa's pictures by clicking on "Vanessa in Costa Rica" under Photo Journals in the right navigation bar of our web site.
Pictured President Wendell thanks Vanessa for her presentation to the club.
Following graduation, Vanessa was looking for an opportunity to volunteer, to work with kids. The program she joined in Costa Rica involved working with children who had degenerative diseases.
She joined 30 young people from around the world who travelled to Costa Rica to work in a community service program. The program's goal was to help particpants "develop knowledge and skills and understanding for a more just and peaceful world."
She worked in a program that helped families cope with children who had progressive diseases; unusual diseases like Batten, Niemann Pick and Rhett's Syndrome.
APRONEP or the Association Pro Children with Progressive Diseases is 100 per cent volunteer and involves about 80 families across Costa Rica.
Her job involved some administrative duties, attendance at executive meetings, planning activities for children and families and visiting families.
"We were there to help and provide support for these families", Vanessa said.
"Despite the differences in illness, financial circumstances, the unifying factor, common to all, is the love they have for their children. They keep on fighting and they will not give up."
Vanessa thanked Rotary for "this amazing experience."
"I have a better understanding of a different culture, I made lifelong friends and a deeper understanding of how important family is."
Check out some of Vanessa's pictures by clicking on "Vanessa in Costa Rica" under Photo Journals in the right navigation bar of our web site.
Pictured President Wendell thanks Vanessa for her presentation to the club.