What does Pura Vida mean?

You are a Nun and you manage a Foster Care program in Cartago, Costa Rica. You provide love, comfort and care for 20 children, ages 2 months to 8 years old. The concrete walls and barbed wire surround your facility, but you have created a Hydrophonics Garden to feed the children. Pura Vida. You depend on the sky for your water. Sometimes this runs out and you have no running water. Your humble washing machine is your hands. You have no dryer but you use the sun and wind to kiss the children’s clothes. Pura Vida. You are 5 years old and you live behind the big concrete walls with the barbed wire fence on top. You don’t have many toys, but there are non-working battery operated cars outside that can only be used if someone pushes you. Pura Vida.

You are six years old and you live behind the big concrete walls with the barbed wire fence on top. Some big kids came to visit and you made a new friend. You found some pieces of sidewalk chalk and he let you trace his body. Pura Vida.

You are two years old. You just finished eating in your high chair. Some big kids made you some Play Dough in the kitchen. One big girl came over and smiled at you. She showed you how squishy and fun it is to play with. Pura Vida.

You are 8 years old. Hogar De Niños Baik has been your home for the last four years. You were loved, comforted and sheltered inside these concrete walls with the barbed wire on top. You are being adopted by an Italian family. You are starting over. Pura Vida.