It is the Season…!

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…! Ecclesiastes 3

A Time of Thanks…!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving season. Regardless of where you are reading this Post, there is something to be thankful for. “Friends of Copey” is way up on my list of reasons to be thankful. I am so thankful to have this opportunity to be involved with a loving community and an unbelievable group of friends.

A Time of Grief…!

However, this has been a year of grief. In June a dear friend passed away following a long illness. Gene Gabriel, resided near Roanoke, Virginia. He was the second of what I considered my“authentic brothers” including Lucian (Lou) Peery.

My relationship with Gabriel began in 1968 while in college. We three became frat brothers in 1969 and remained lifelong friends and treated each other as brothers.

We each served our country and never lost track of where we were each living. We spent our last ten or more years even closer than ever.

Lou passed away in October of 2019. Gabriel and I spent time with Lou the day before Lou passed away. I shared the news about Lou in my Post dated November 11, 2019. Please visit.

Unfortunately, I was unable to be with Gabriel during his final days or hours. However, he knew my thoughts and prayers were with him.

“I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see. I sought my God, but my God eluded me. I sought my brother and I found all three.”  Author Unkown

More Grief…!

Most recently, another heartbreaking loss took place. My cousin Zina Griffith, passed away on November 21st.

She lived her entire life in the Washington, D.C. area and was the ideal person to assist with the Copey Pathway Project. Zina eagerly became the hostess who greeted Copey students to the Washington area. She greeted them for several years with her trademark smile and display of genuine friendship. 

The students and chaperones who met Zina felt they had found someone they had known a long time. We were truly blessed to have her involvement with the Pathway Project. She will be missed.

The Copey Learning Center Graduation…!

The graduation at the Copey Learning Center took place in grand style on November 26. Annually, the celebration recognizes and honors all the students enrolled at the Copey Learning Center during the year.

From all accounts, the event was another successful celebration.

We, the “Friends of Copey”, extend our congratulations to all the students, staff, the Board, and the community at large for encouraging and supporting these students each year. 

Providing this educational opportunity in this community is a huge commitment. This involves consistent support and dedication. This unique educational service remains very rare in a rural Costa Rican community. Most rural students do not have the opportunity to learn English. The Copey community has successfully sustained this service for over 15 years. We are celebrating our 12th year of support this month.

We have watched for several years one student. Diego is a young student who has attended the Learning Center for several years. He is the recipient of one our “Friends”  generosity. Diego receives designated scholarship assistance by a donor instead of receiving assistance from the Anne G. Broady Scholarship (general) Fund. 

We are pleased to have available a photo of Diego and we extend a special thanks to his donor for the financial support provided.

Diego’s sister is Guadalupe. She was our student guest under Pathway Project and visited the USA in 2024. 

Help is Needed…!

This graduation marks the end of the school year in Copey. It is their summer time and we now look forward to 2026 when the Copey Learing Center resumes in early March.

There is still ongoing efforts to locate a volunteer teacher and your help is needed. Please let us know if you have a potential candidate in mind.

Contact me at atbroady@aol.com or call me at 509-948-6416. Or send a comment using this Blog.