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By Greylyn Owens<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The road to\u00a0Ujarr\u00e1s\u00a0through the Orosi Valley is full of life and beauty. When traveling on the roads of Costa Rica<\/strong> you can appreciate its stunning scenery. On both sides are miles and miles of rice fields, small towns, and abundant vegetation. The view takes your breath away wherever you look. Be sure to glance up, too, because if you\u2019re lucky, you\u2019ll catch a glimpse of one or two monkeys in the trees.<\/p>\n In the town of Ujarr\u00e1s you can find the\u00a0Iglesia de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Limpia Concepci\u00f3n, one of the oldest churches in Costa Rica, completed in the year 1580 during the early colonial period. Its history is somewhat of a mystery. If you ask the residents, you will hear fascinating stories about how church came to be.<\/p>\n The Legend<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Legend has it that one day an Indigenous Huetar fisherman found a box containing a painting of the Virgin Mary. The box could not be moved; therefore, the church was built around it. Local stonemasons constructed the church out of blocks of limestone using a traditional technique known as calicanto<\/em>.<\/p>\n In the following years, several events occurred that were explained as protection by the Virgin Mary. For example, English pirate Henry Morgan was on his way to attack Ujarr\u00e1s when the Virgin Mary warned the villagers and provided means for them to defend themselves. As these stories spread, the church gained renown and followers.<\/p>\n Abandoned Then Restored<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The late 18th century and early 19th century saw floods, earthquakes, and health crises, so the villagers were forced to move. Some accounts speculate that abandoning the town was more for political reasons than for the residents\u2019 welfare. As the people vanished, the church fell into ruin.<\/p>\n Since then, its remaining fa\u00e7ades have been partially restored, and its grounds now comprise a playground, gardens, and river banks. You will find tourists and locals alike enjoying the peaceful surroundings on a sunny day. Costa Rica considers this church a national monument.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/32493261953_9d17837d1f_o.jpeg” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”32493261953_9d17837d1f_o” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/5994961841_d0a13a89a0_c.jpeg” alt=”Stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”5994961841_d0a13a89a0_c” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activities:<\/p>\n Sample Questions:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n What do you think about the Costa Rican government requiring the people of Ujarr\u00e1s to move to a different location long ago? Is it ever justifiable to make a decision for a community, or should people be left to decide their fate for themselves?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n\n
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