Photo & Video COntest winners 2017

Every year after participants have returned home from their summers in Latin America, we hold a contest for the best images and content. We received so many submissions for photos and videos that it was difficult to narrow down a winner! Staff at AMIGOS Headquarters voted on their favorites, and finally, we were left with one photo and one video that won first place.

 

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER: Zach, Costa Rica

 

VIDEO CONTEST WINNER: Katie, Costa Rica

About her video and her experience in Costa Rica, Katie says:

“This summer I was in the community of Los Vega, which was about 30 minutes out of Perez Zeledon, the capital of San Isidro. One of my favorite memories was when community members gathered in the school for our despedida. It was such an amazing experience. We spent the night eating, dancing, and playing games. At one point community members got up and said a few words about our time together. Then my partner, Lauren, and I had the opportunity to get up and thank them for their loving spirits. At the despedida, Lauren and I were also able to give our community a family tree we had been working on because everyone in the community was part of the Vega family. It was an incredible way to end my time in community. The amount of love and hospitality I felt that night was indescribable. Los Vega had really become my home.

Our project was building a playground at the community’s school. My project was only four weeks so we were only able to finish half of the playground. However, we did complete a swing set, a see saw, and a dragon we made out of tires. It was so fun working with our community coordinator and other community members to complete the project. The best part was when the paint had just finished drying and the kids immediately ran to play on it. The last few days were spent playing with them on the equipment and seeing the hard work pay off. This was hands down one of my favorite things I’ve ever done. 

My AMIGOS summer was so much more than I could have asked for. I made so many new friends and learned so much not only about myself, but also about the world around me. I’m so thankful to have taken part in this program and I can’t wait to fly south for the summer again sometime!”