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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGregerly, an individual research volunteer from Belgium, joined us to gather data for his thesis on disparities in development in Costa Rica. We were happy to connect him with local communities and share our insights. We look forward to sharing the results of his research.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOur January clean-up and reorganization efforts in the La Carpio centers were a success. Volunteers from the University of Connecticut, Global College and the Lakshmi Rising yoga group helped us clean, sort, and hold garage sales. Thanks to them, the centers are now bright, functional spaces for sharing, learning, and caring.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLong-time individual volunteer Stana returned once again and made a huge impact. Her background in education supported our local teachers, and her organizational efforts helped all the centers look their best!<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAlso with the creativity of full time volunteer Steven we gave regular classes on self help health care to children, adults and elderly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the local police station in La Carpio, we worked to raise morale. Alongside volunteers from Pepperdine and the yoga group, we painted the holding cell, practiced yoga, and held space for conversation and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFleur, a Belgian architecture student, visited to learn more about indigenous architecture. She supported many of our programs and also helped welcome a group to Casa Quetzal.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nUSC brought joy during a pre-Easter egg hunt, where children painted eggs and experienced the unique magic of a CRHF Easter Bunny celebration!<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLakshmi Rising continues to support us with yoga retreat groups that understand the importance of collective well-being. Ubuntu: I am because we are.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOur chiropractor family friends returned to provide much-appreciated services to our La Carpio populations. They treated 60 patients a day over 5 days, offering care, relief, and connection. We\u2019ve begun building a relationship for ongoing follow-up support with patients they saw last year, and we\u2019re excited to welcome them\u2014and more of their family and friends\u2014again in the coming months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Montessori & Environment<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Montessori program continues to thrive\u2014providing a nurturing space for children to learn and grow. This quarter, we focused on environmental education, nature care, and science activities like experiments and theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n La Libertad<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We were thrilled to welcome back the Alan Stevenson School from NYC for the 14th year! They repaired a road, engaged with our youth, and donated a laptop and projector.<\/p>\n\n\n The Saturday Program welcomed two amazing local Tica volunteers, Adriana and Allona, who helped with activities and got to know La Carpio. Adriana previously volunteered as an interpreter for the Amigos Eye Care team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to a donation of clay from Kattia, the children made beautiful creations\u2014everything from butterflies to cups!<\/p>\n\n\n Uvita Family Wellbeing Center<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We continue to be challenged by the Uvita Family Wellbeing Center, and we continue to find creative and innovative solutions. We have now partnered with a local woman who is working on securing all the official permits to open the center as an after-school program. We\u2019ve agreed that at least 20% of the students will receive scholarships based on community need. With this approach, the woman will develop a small business, and we can continue to support the youth who need it most. We hope to resume collaboration with volunteer groups in the area in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sports League<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our sports league now serves 150 youth and remains one of the strongest in the country. In a community where kindness can be misunderstood as weakness, our youth now have strong, positive role models and a healthy outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n Bunk Beds, a New Car & Evolving Needs<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our bunk bed program continues on an as-needed basis. As La Carpio progresses, the needs are shifting from basics like food and housing to more complex initiatives\u2014job training, capacity building, empathy, and right action.<\/p>\n\n\n Thanks to our generous supporters, we purchased several mattresses and now have a modern, fuel-efficient CRHF vehicle to help with deliveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food Program<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Auto Mercado Food Program continues to run 365 days a year. In 2024, we provided over one million food rations, ranging from simple sandwiches to full baskets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To thank Auto Mercado, we created a collage of gratitude from our beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n Global Connections through Montessori<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Montessori kids received a heartfelt surprise: 100 cards of love were created for children in the U.S. who lost their homes in hurricanes and fires. These cards will accompany stuffed animal comfort toys heading to Tennessee, North Carolina, and California.<\/p>\n\n\n And our kids received their own stuffed animals as a beautiful gesture of kindness returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Centro Modelo<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n With help from Lakshmi Rising, Stana, Global College, and others, we reorganized and beautified Centro Modelo. We also welcomed a new teacher, Gloria, who is stepping in as Marisol pursues her next adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n Computer Lab<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Responding to evolving community needs, we\u2019re launching a new tech education initiative. With ten donated refurbished computers on the way, we\u2019ll offer weekly lessons in typing, Microsoft Office, and even basic website building.<\/p>\n\n\n \u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indigenous Connections<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In partnership with Bob, Noel, and others, we visited Amubri with book donations for Noemi\u2014continuing a relationship that began with Gail\u2019s Peace Corps work in 1979.<\/p>\n\n\n Fleur\u2019s architecture journey continued with a visit to Leonel and Jenny of the Cab\u00e9car community. They are building an arts and crafts store with local redwood in front of the Lucas Drummond Cultural Center, which CRHF helped build in memory of Lucas.<\/p>\n\n\n We\u2019re excited to support this initiative and look forward to sending visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Casa Quetzal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Casa Quetzal continues to evolve naturally. We\u2019re preparing the land to welcome future groups, while focusing on sharing indigenous knowledge and collaborating with our Huetar neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n During spring break, we hosted groups from Georgia State University and North Florida State University. They studied topics such as indigenous education, sustainability, and rights.<\/p>\n\n\n We\u2019ve also welcomed individual volunteers like Fleur and Stana, all of whom agree: Casa Quetzal is a sacred space for reflection, healing, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n \u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights & Happenings \u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our incredible team continues to shine: Gail and Francisco continue to handle administration and fundraising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to continued support of our major donors we continue to provide hunger preventi\u00f3n, rent relief, schooling, counseling and small business support for single mothers, special needs children, refugees, elderly and unemployed men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, we honor our diverse backgrounds and beliefs in our shared mission to build a better world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Casa Quetzal is becoming the retreat and conference center Gail envisioned\u2014offering a place to heal, grow, and collaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re excited to keep growing in La Carpio and beyond. We\u2019ll continue to support indigenous communities through education, health, culture, and economic opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next month in May, we will be hosting our Annual Fundraiser Gala. We would like to invite everyone to join us on Sunday May 11th at the Hotel Marriott in San Antonio de Belen. The hotel has been a supporter of the CRHF from the days of the Street Kids program, where they offered many their first jobs in the kitchens and others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank You for Sharing Our Dream! We can\u2019t wait to see what the rest of 2025 brings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation2025 First Quarter NewsletterWorking together for a better world \u2e3b Volunteers After a busy end to 2024, we bid farewell to our Amigos Eye Care friends. Thanks to their efforts, over 300 people received eye care. Before they left, we visited our indigenous friends in Quitirrisi to share knowledge and culture with … Continue reading CRHF 2025 1st Quarter Newsletter<\/span> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\u2022 We finalized our 2024 Year-End Report and \u201c2024 in Numbers\u201d\u2014check them out on our website clicking here.<\/a>
\u2022 We joined the Women\u2019s March on March 8th representing La Carpio.
\u2022 Gail participated in the Wells Mountain Initiative board meeting. WMI continues to support CRHF through 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship\u2014without charging fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCollaborators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Fatima and Angelica provide outstanding care and tutoring in Montessori.
\u2022 Do\u00f1a Antonia keeps everyone well-fed with nutritious meals.
\u2022 The food bank crew\u2014Ana, Harold, Milagro, Alcides, and a growing young team\u2014are thriving in their micro-enterprise model.
\u2022 Our new Centro Modelo teacher is building her capacity while honoring the work Marisol left behind.
\u2022 The La Libertad program remains strong, offering after-school support and weekend activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLooking Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n