Project Launch:

A $350 grant from World Connect’s Kids to Kids Program in 2009 supported a traditional dance group, offering a healthy recreation opportunity for neighborhood kids to engage in after school hours. During dance practice, the kids developed not only as dancers but as people, learning how to be respectful and productive members of a group. Being part of a group was really important to the dancers and their parents said that their kids asked every day when practice was going to be because they were so excited to participate. The project improved the self-esteem and confidence of the children who participated by developing their skills in traditional Costa Rican dance. Both the local elementary school and high school now have new dance groups and the original group has been invited to perform in other communities. In addition to seeing the popularity of the traditional dance groups spread, project leaders also noticed that the kids who participated became more cooperative and their self esteem and confidence improved. The students are no longer afraid to perform in front of others and students now have something unique to look forward to every day.