COSTA RICA - Marcela, a 12-year-old Costa Rican, was learning to sew in her local community center when I walked in. She was working with Gwen, a retired teacher from Baltimore, Md., who travels to Costa Rica each year as a volunteer. Gwen gave instructions as Marcela cut out her blouse pattern.

Gwen donates her time to teach area residents how to make their own clothes. Prices in local stores take up too much monthly income for a family to purchase clothing there.

Marcela was very good with all of the details and following directions as she cut out her blouse. She was happy to have access to a sewing machine, which would be too expensive to have in her home. She was also thrilled that Gwen would be at the center three more weeks to supervise her sewing.

The community center is an attractive two-story building. Upstairs is a large room with work tables, chairs and three sewing machines. Two smaller rooms hold a computer and a storage area for sewing materials. A large deck overlooks the beautiful Sarapiqui River. Downstairs are a library and study area where young people can come for occasional tutoring.

The center is on land owned by the Holbrook Travel Agency in Gainesville. On the same property is the agency's tourist resort. The Holbrook family and friends, both American and Costa Rican, have worked hard to establish the center to serve residents in the surrounding community.

Every weekday, Marcela, a sixth-grader, walks the two kilometers along the two-lane main road to the small community elementary school. She has classes each day in Spanish, math, social studies, science, agriculture and music. Three teachers provide instruction to Marcela and her 25 classmates.

She has grown up beside the river in this rainforest area and lives with her parents and two sisters, one older and one younger. Her dream is to become a pediatrician. We talked about the many years of study needed to reach her goal.

When she said that she was an "okay student," we then talked about the dedication and hard work needed to become a doctor. Even completing high school will be an accomplishment. She will need to wait along the highway for a bus to the nearest large town having a high school. The costs can be a hardship for her family, as uniforms and school supplies are expensive.

As I said goodbye to my new young friend, Marcela, I hoped that one day she will be caring for the children of her community as a pediatrician. Certainly the community center and Gwen, her sewing teacher, will be a help to her on her long educational journey.

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