We are excited to announce our expansion into a new area of the Cabecar Indigenous territory where we will be focusing on health services initially. In the past, our efforts were concentrated in what is known as the ‘Bajo Chirripo’ area This is closer to Limon and the Caribbean coast.
This new initiative focuses on ‘Alto Chirripo,’ located further upstream along the Chirripo River. This area is primarily accessible through the mountains of Turrialba and Grano de Oro.
In collaboration with the CCSS, the Swiss Embassy, the local Indigenous Development Association (ADI Cabecar Alto Chirripo), and the Ministerio de Trabajo, we are working to enhance the health services in this region.
Many health centers operated by the CCSS have deteriorated due to termites and weathering or are close to becoming inoperable. A total of 14 structures require renovation or rebuilding.
Regional CCSS Director, Don Vinicio, has been instrumental in contacting various organizations and advocating for funding from the CCSS Directors. His efforts have resulted in the successful rebuilding of three centers so far.
The CRHF has secured funding and provided designs that have been historically used in other indigenous areas to rebuild the Puesto de Salud Periódica in Ñari. These designs have proven to be durable, with some of our original structures serving communities for over 25 years.
Ñari is an indigenous community on the edge of the upper Rio Chirripo in the Cabecar indigenous territory. The terrain is very challenging due to extreme elevation changes and the unpredictable Rio Chirripo during the rainy season. The health services are lacking and sparce on this indigenous territory. Nevertheless, Ñari will be the fourth of the 14 buildings slated for renovation.
Currently, the local indigenous community has begun clearing the land and preparing temporary storage for clinic resources and materials. Some materials will be brought in by helicopter on Friday. Stay tuned for more updates!
