Tending Orphans (Costa Rica)

In the heart of San José, Costa Rica, a quiet legacy of care has endured for over a century. At the Hospicio de Huérfanos de San José, a group of Vincentian Sisters and local women began tending to orphaned children with simple acts of kindness. These women, many of them previously known only for their roles in society or family, chose to show up day after day with no expectation of praise. They warmed bottles, folded laundry, soothed crying children, and organized food drives. Small, ordinary tasks made life gentler for those with no home to return to.

Out of this steady devotion grew something lasting. In 1913, they helped establish Gota de Leche, a project that ensured children received proper nutrition and medical care. These women did not aim for recognition. They simply paid attention, noticing who needed help and offering it without fanfare. Their work stitched together the fabric of a community where compassion had room to take root and grow.