Giving Back to Costa Rica - Charity and Philanthropy

As you become older and able to enjoy success in life, things that are important to you start to change.  At a certain point, you want to make a difference in other peoples lives, in fact it makes you feel really good when you do so.  It is hard for many individuals to become involved in helping others since life is a constant struggle.  Ever since we became involved in Costa Rica, we wanted to make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate than we are.  We have always recognized that we are guests in this wonderful country.  Through interaction with the Costa Bellena Women's Club http://www.costaballenawomensclub.org/ we identified some organizations that could use our help.  Before each tour that we run into Costa Rica, we ask for small donations from those clients that will be joining us on the tour by providing a simple list of things we are looking for.  Small contributions from many ends up having a large impact on a few.  No one is ever expected to contribute and we do not judge anyone or expect them to give, in fact many never even notice our request for donations. 

Pacific Lots has brought a lot of joy to various needy organizations in Costa Rica.  School is free for children but they still must pay for their books, uniforms, back packs and even things like shoes.  When compared to many other places on the planet, Costa Rica has a fairly small contingent of poor people.  There are some however and some are scattered in our community.  The elementary school in the towns of Tres Rios, Punta Mala, Cortez and Ojochal were places where needs were identified.  We have since brought many pairs of children's shoes, back packs, colored markers, children's books in both English and Spanish, even things like soccer balls.  Another organization we continue to work with is a girls orphanage in San Isidro En General that takes a small group of special needs children, Posada Los Ninos orphanage.  Working with Rhonda Bulkley and Jan Dwire, we continue to do what we can for the orphanage.  For more information on the orphanage you can read their newsletter at here.  

 Our latest endeavor has been working with the new international school in Uvita.  We have been bringing supplies and equipment as well as raising money for scholarships for needy individuals.  We are looking for environmental items like rain gauges, microscopes, binoculars, ph meters, as well as things like english language books and educational computer software for PC's that is appropriate for either younger students (grade 1-6) and high school aged students.