Last year, Haley Whitley and Raphel Weber started the Escuela Camino Claro in Pavones. Classes include computer literacy, English as a second language for children and adults, and English home schooling.
Q. Haley is the daughter of two teachers, and Raphel has tutored youths. and taught E.S.L. Yet it's a big leap to establish a school. What was your inspiration?
Haley: Raphel and I had been tutoring at people’s houses, and the community was expressing a clear need for English education. With encouragement from Ruey, we sat down and talked about starting a real school. The excitement grew.
Escuela del Camino Claro is not about promoting gringo language and culture. We are working in Pavones because the community wanted more options, and specifically asked us for English classes.
Q. What makes Tico students different from, say, those in Ecuador or Spain?
Raphel: Tico students are outgoing while speaking English and they know A LOT more than they let on! I think the Ticos' fantastic sense of humor and humble nature makes them a joy to work with.
Haley: One of the perks of teaching all the localitos, the band of local surfer kids, is that Miss Haley and Miss Raphel can drop in on their waves!
Q. How has the school grown?
Raphel: We started with less than 10 students in 2008, and after our first year, we had 25, ages 4 to 50. So we are very happy with our pilot year! This year we expect to have 35 students.
Q. You are introducing computer literacy classes to a population that, for the most part, may have never used a computer. How large is the gap you're trying to bridge?
Raphel: In Pavones, there were iPods before computers, cell phones before landlines and faxes. Technology has arrived at an accelerated pace. When Internet arrived to Pavones last year, several people asked for our help to use the Internet and learn about computers. A few wanted to start their own Internet business.
Q. Can visitors bring you laptops?
Raphel: Yes! We would be very grateful if people donate used laptops, in good condition, with basic Microsoft processors, and wireless internet. All donations are tax deductible. Four nice laptops were generously donated to start this year, but four is not enough.
Q. You both have made a significant long-term commitment to this community. How do you feel about that?
Haley: "How did we get ourselves into this?" I sometimes wonder. We never would have imagined living in rural Central America starting an English school at age 24. But now, there is nothing I would rather do.
During the first year, it was really important to demonstrate our dedication and prove we had integrity. At first, many people viewed us as two young girls just trying to surf and live on the beach. It takes a lot of self-assurance to overcome this stereotype.
Q. You live and work in the same building -- Camino Claro is diagonal from the Cantina "Esquina del Mar" in Pavones. That sounds like a reality show -- two teachers in the jungle. Does it get crazy?
Raphel: Haha! That's a funny question and well, YES, it does get crazy, which is one of the main reasons that we no longer live in our school building. Last year, we enjoyed many Tico yelps, dance music with all-night beats, and a few visits from very intoxicated tourist. Let’s just say we are grateful to live away from the Cantina.
Q. Your home community in Eugene, Oregon has been very supportive.
Haley: For the last two years we’ve held the Pura Vida Fundraiser in Eugene, Oregon. Over 500 people came together in February to support the school. When we're not teaching in Pavones, we're in Eugene preparing for this fundraiser. This invisible thread between Pavones and Eugene, Oregon really embodies our motto: Bringing together communities through education.
Q. What do you miss most about Pavones when you're in Oregon?
Raphel: I miss being able to buy something at the Supermarket and pay later, ha ha!
Haley: Fresh papayas and mangos, my students calling me Miss Haley, sunsets over the Osa, yoga on the beach, the laidback pura vida lifestyle, and of course, surfing in tropical water.
Q. Can you give us the class schedule for ESL and English-for-native-speakers?
Haley: Yes, here it is:
Beginning and Advanced English as a Second Language for A: Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:00 pm to 6:30 p.m.
Children's Advanced English as a Second Language classes are 3 days a week, 3 hours each class, times to be announced.
Young Children and Kinder classes in English are 3 days a week, 3 hours each class, times to be announced.
Computer Literacy (in Spanish), Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, times to be announced.
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If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation, or for more information about classes and schedules, please contact Haley and Raphel at
info@escuelacaminoclaro.org and visit
www.caminoclaro.org.
