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Sponsorship in Costa Rica

Extreme poverty exists throughout Latin America and Costa Rica is no exception. CFCA has been working to build hope among the poor of Costa Rica since 1991.

The San Jose project offers benefits for children, aging persons and their families at 16 sites around the country.

CFCA families receive help with home improvements, daily groceries, access to nutrition centers and educational assistance. In addition, basic clothing such as pants, shirts, dresses, shoes and jackets enhance self-esteem, and medical visits and regular exams improve physical health.

The largest subproject is Cartago, in a city of 300,000 inhabitants a half hour east of San Jose. Families in Cartago work in the fields or in simple jobs that don’t pay well. The subproject focuses on programs that help children grow academically and spiritually so they can serve their community and help improve surrounding conditions.

The Guatusos subproject in the north serves the indigenous Maleku people, one of five remaining tribes in Costa Rica. CFCA is helping Maleku families develop activities related to eco-tourism so they can become a self-sustaining community.

Los Chiles is a rural subproject located near the border with Nicaragua. Many of the inhabitants are Nicaraguan immigrants. CFCA programs focus on enhancing employment and strengthening families through skills training, values formation, nutritional assistance and educational support.

Sponsor a child in Costa Rica

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a rugged, mountainous country in Central America located between Panama and Nicaragua. Swamps and tropical jungles line its Caribbean coast, and many banana plantations can be found on the lowlands of the Pacific Ocean coast. Seventy-five percent of the people live in the highland plateaus in Central Costa Rica where hillsides are covered with coffee trees.

While some Costa Ricans enjoy a relatively high standard of living, many families, especially immigrants, are marginalized and have trouble surviving Costa Rica’s increasing cost of living. More than half the population lives in urban areas.

Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The expansion of tourism is the result of foreign investors’ attraction to the country’s political stability and high education levels. Costa Rica has also been a leader among developing nations in the creation of national parks.

The people of Costa Rica take great pride in their heritage of democratic government and social equality. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. It has one of the most stable economies in Central America, however, traditional export sectors have not kept pace.

The people

Costa Rican society mirrors many of the beliefs and values of Spanish culture. Most Costa Ricans value their family and religion above anything else. Festivals honoring patron saints are a common occurrence in many towns or villages.

Costa Ricans, or Ticos, as they call themselves, value personal dignity and have strong family ties. They love brilliant colors and use them in their homes. Many houses are painted bright pinks, greens and blues and are decorated with colorful flowers. About 25 percent of the people are farmers or ranchers, and about 20 percent are engaged in manufacturing.

Soccer is very popular in Costa Rica, along with basketball and tennis. Costa Ricans also enjoy the theater. The National Theater in San Jose usually holds performances for large audiences.

Although the Ministry of Health has a strong preventive medicine program in place, the majority of doctors and health-care facilities are in the San Jose area. Many in the rural areas are still infected by illnesses such as dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid, and have difficulty accessing health-care services.

Education

Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in the world at 96 percent. The government spends 20 percent of its annual budget on education. The first nine years of school are compulsory, and an estimated 90 percent of children between 6 and 11 years old are enrolled.

Though primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, many families struggle to pay for school-related costs such as books, supplies and uniforms. The school year runs from February to late November or early December.

Costa Rica has several universities. Among them, the University of Costa Rica in San Jose is known for its innovations in educational methods.

Sponsor a child in Costa Rica

Sources:

World Factbook

MSN Encarta Encyclopedia