Introduction
The CRHF has been working with at risk populations for many years and, as a result, we have improved the quality of life for thousands of people in Costa Rica through fundraiser initiatives. In addition, we have hosted more than 20,000 volunteers with training and motivational sessions to guide them in their search for deeper meaning in their lives.
Our long-term donors have been a source of constant and ethical support for our work since 1997 and we are all grateful for this steady and reliable source of fundraising and ideas. They have been our reliable partners, supporting our soccer league, our education and therapy programs, Christmas events, emergency living solutions and hot lunch program, as well as many other needs.
During the pandemic, the CRHF continued its mission by adapting our strategies to meet the needs of the people of La Carpio.
Since 2023, when we celebrated our 25th year of official functioning, we have built up our programs and volunteer participation once again with some important changes and new initiatives.
We now have an active presence on social media, new organizational initiatives and different sources of income from volunteers.
Project Casa Quetzal
Casa Quetzal is an initiative whose idea began more than two years ago. The purpose of this Project is to provide an off-campus site where volunteers, and beneficiaries of the CRHF can work together to study and learn in depth about the root causes of poverty.
We have developed a course called “Peace, Poverty and Participation” which is designed to motivate participants with a greater sense of commitment to the work of changing lives.
In addition, we will be working with beneficiary populations so that they can take more control over their difficult situations.
We intend to maximize our influence on all participants considering all the years of experience we have accumulated.
This Project will be part of all volunteer participation and will serve our long-term goal of eradicating poverty by educating the populations that have greater benefits in life.
The Site
The house we have been working to purchase is located on a large lot in Ciudad Colon and is in a quiet and safe neighborhood. The house has a large seminar room, kitchen with dining area, apartment for long term rental and loft for individual volunteer overnights on the lower level. On the upper level there is an additional room for volunteers, an office space, a library and a private area for our director to live.
In addition, there is a 3,200 mts 2 lot next door where we plan to expand and build individual volunteer housing options.
These options will provide additional funding for the Foundation’s many projects. Our goal is to become a viable entity that will provide self-funding for our projects. In conjunction with our benefactors, we intend to impact our populations in a more sustainable and long-lasting way.
In total, we want to house ten volunteers per night, train them and then send them out to work at our Family Well Being Centers, Libraries, indigenous communities and, La Carpio or other poverty communities.
Financing of Casa Quetzal
The father of our director passed away on April 7 of 2024 and left her a generous inheritance. At the same time, this property and house became available for purchase.
We have already made a down payment on both the property and the house and have a two-month period in which to complete the purchase and to become the legal owners. The purpose of this fundraiser is to garner the funds required to complete the purchase.
Total owed to date:
$ 166,200
Property cost:
- $225,000
Amount paid:
- $125,000 paid by Inheritance
Remaining:
- $100,000 fundraiser to be paid by July 2024 by donors. (Bridge loan given by supporter)
House Cost:
- $425,000
Amount Paid:
- $200,000 Paid by inheritance
Remaining:
- $66,200 fundraiser to be paid by October 2024 by donors
- $123,000 in payments to be paid by CRHF and volunteer donations.
As always, we believe in our mission and are confident in the support of our team of creative workers as well as our very generous and understanding donors.
We welcome you to participate in this next phase of the work of the CRHF so that we can become even more sure to complete our mission on a larger scale.
Thank you for your interest and help.
Gail Nystrom, M.A.Ed.
Executive Director
Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation
Donation Options
Direct Bank Wire:
Banco Nacional De Costa Rica
Tax Exempt Donations
You can mail a check to our sister organization in the USA for tax exempt purposes. (No Fees):
You can use the affiliate organization Amigos de Costa Rica for a tax write off in the USA. We can receive a variety of donation options including wire transfers, venmo and more. Please make sure to state “Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation” in the notes and notify us:
Donate with PayPal Below:
by Gail Nystrom
