Tag Archives: Costa Rica

Charitable Contribution, Quarterly Newsletter, Volunteers

CRHF 2026 2nd Quarter Newsletter

2nd Quarter 2026

The second quarter of 2026 was one of our busiest and most productive periods in recent years. As the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation prepared to enter its third decade of service, we focused on strengthening our programs, renovating key community centers, expanding health and education initiatives, and building new partnerships. These accomplishments were made possible through the dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and the communities we serve, all working together to create lasting opportunities for families across Costa Rica. 

During the second quarter alone, more than 300 volunteers from Costa Rica and around the world shared their time, talents, and compassion with CRHF. Together, we provided more than 100,000 meals through our partnership with Automercado, and over 500 children and youth participated in our education, literacy, sports, and youth development programs. 

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Food Security & Support 

Through our long-standing partnership with AutoMercado, CRHF distributed more than 100,000 meals during the second quarter, ensuring that vulnerable children, older adults, and families had access to nutritious food. Food security continues to be one of the foundations of our poverty reduction model, helping families meet their most basic needs while allowing children to remain healthy and engaged in school. 

Access to clean water also remains a priority. Thanks to the generous support of chiropractor Dr. Pat, we installed clean drinking water filtration systems in La Libertad and Río Torres, two of the most underserved sectors of La Carpio. These systems now provide safe drinking water for hundreds of children and families. 

Our La Libertad Center also established a new community vegetable garden, creating opportunities for nutrition education while producing fresh vegetables for local families and program participants.  

CRHF also received and distributed more than 1,000 pairs of shoes, providing children and families with footwear that improves health, mobility, school attendance, and dignity. 

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Housing & Infrastructure 

This quarter marked the successful completion of major renovations funded through the generous support of the Swiss Embassy. These improvements are part of CRHF’s long-term commitment to creating safe, welcoming, and modern learning environments where children, youth, and families can thrive. 

Centro Modelo 

  • Replaced aging structural columns and beams with reinforced concrete. 
  • Completely renovated the computer laboratory. 
  • Reopened the center following several months of renovations with the assistance of volunteers from Rice University, who helped clean, organize, and prepare the facility for students and community programs. 

Montessori Center 

  • Redesigned classroom spaces with new learning dividers. 
  • Created a new computer laboratory to expand digital learning opportunities. 

La Libertad Center 

  • Painted and restored the facility’s roof. 
  • Established a new community vegetable garden to support nutrition and environmental education. 

Casa Quetzal

At Casa Quetzal, volunteers from the JD Sheth Foundation partnered with CRHF to build a beautiful new community gathering space that will support educational workshops, peacebuilding activities, holistic health programs, and cultural exchange. 

CRHF also completed the renovation of the women’s dormitory at the local police station, including the installation of a secure locking door to provide greater privacy, dignity, and safety. 

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Health & Health Education 

Working alongside the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), EBI, and other community partners, CRHF coordinated a Community Health Fair in La Carpio where residents received health screenings, preventative health education, and referrals to additional services. 

With the support of Valparaíso, more than 300 patients received general medical care, dental treatment, eye examinations, and preventative health education through our multidisciplinary medical campaign. 

CRHF also launched a First Aid Education Program, using donated first aid kits to teach youth basic emergency response skills, injury prevention, and personal safety. 

Our dedicated volunteer Paul continued providing therapeutic bodywork and wellness support to staff, volunteers, and community members while assisting with health initiatives. 

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Education & Sports 

Despite several months of facility renovations, CRHF continued serving more than 500 children and youth through our education, literacy, youth development, and sports programs. 

The Read a Book, Write a Book literacy initiative encouraged volunteers and children to read together before each child wrote and illustrated their own story, fostering creativity, literacy, and confidence. 

Two outstanding volunteers, Meredith and Katie, joined CRHF through a Vanderbilt University summer program. They worked closely with our teaching staff to develop classroom materials, strengthen curriculum planning, and introduce innovative teaching strategies that will benefit our students for years to come. 

Students in the Rescate Sports Program celebrated Día del Trabajador with a recreational day focused on teamwork, healthy lifestyles, and community building. 

One of the greatest accomplishments of the quarter came when our Rescate U-17 soccer team won the National Under-17 Championship, an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of sports, mentorship, and opportunity. 

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Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) Development & Capacity Building 

CRHF continued providing seed funding and mentoring to small family businesses, particularly those led by single women heads of household. These microenterprises—including tortilla production, food preparation, sewing, and other home-based businesses—help families generate sustainable income, purchase food, pay rent, and move toward greater financial independence. 

The talented women of our Abuelas Arts & Crafts Program, together with local and international artisans, continued improving their handmade products while exploring new opportunities to increase sales and preserve traditional craftsmanship. 

CRHF also continued working alongside Huetar Indigenous leaders to preserve and share traditional knowledge related to sustainable living, medicinal plants, cultural heritage, and environmental stewardship. 

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Volunteers & Right Action 

More than 300 volunteers from Costa Rica and around the world shared their time, knowledge, and compassion with CRHF during the second quarter. 

A week-long team from Troy University participated in community clinics, home visits, educational activities, and cultural exchange experiences while learning firsthand about community development and poverty reduction. 

Representative from the Swiss Embassy, Vincent, visited La Carpio to observe the successful completion of the renovation projects funded through their generous support and to meet many of the beneficiaries whose lives have been positively impacted. 

Local volunteers Carla and Paul continued their faithful service by organizing our educational centers during and after renovations while supporting both administrative and health initiatives. 

The work of CRHF also received national recognition through a feature article in The Tico Times by Mitzi Stark, highlighting our holistic poverty reduction model and the collaborative efforts of our many partners and volunteers. 

We were also honored to be invited to The Lincoln School as part of the fifth-grade class’s end-of-year community service project. Each year, students select a nonprofit organization to learn about and support through a fundraising initiative. Our Founder and Director, Gail Nystrom, had the privilege of speaking with the students about CRHF’s mission, our holistic poverty reduction model, and the lasting impact that compassion and community involvement can have in transforming lives. 

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In Memory 

This quarter we said goodbye to our beloved dog friend Princesa, whose sudden passing deeply affected the CRHF family. She brought joy, comfort, and companionship to countless staff members, volunteers, and visitors over the years. She will always remain a cherished part of our history and will be greatly missed. 

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As we look toward the second half of 2026, we remain grateful for every volunteer, donor, partner, and community member who continues to share our dream. Together, we are building stronger communities by improving health, expanding educational opportunities, strengthening families, and creating pathways out of poverty through compassion, collaboration, and right action. 

Furthermore, as we look ahead to 2027, we are excited to begin preparations for CRHF’s 30th Anniversary. This milestone will celebrate three decades of service, partnership, and community development, while honoring the thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters who have shared our dream and helped transform lives throughout Costa Rica. 

How You Can Help:

  • Donate: Your contributions provide bunk beds, school materials, and food security.
  • Partner: We welcome local and international companies to join our CSR initiatives.
  • Volunteer: Come experience “Right Action” firsthand.

Thank you for sharing our dream!

Quarterly Newsletter

CRHF 2026 1ST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

1ST QUARTER 2026

As we move through the first months of 2026, the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation continues its mission of creating a better quality of life for at-risk populations. This quarter has been defined by renewal—both of our physical spaces and the health of the communities in Costa Rica we serve.

Food Security & Support

Our food program remains a 365-day commitment, providing over 2,000 people with nutritious meals every week.

Through our food program we continue to provide healthy diets to 30+ families which lasts them up to a week. We are receiving requests for emergency assistance for several reasons and can provide at least the very basics to support people in becoming independent.

Auto Mercado continues to provide for our team and beneficiaries through their food program.

Housing & Infrastructure

With the rain receding, we have turned our focus toward long-term stability and maintenance.

  • Renewing Our Spaces in La Carpio: After more than two decades of constant use, our centers are receiving much-needed care. We are thrilled to share that, thanks to Francisco’s efforts, we have secured a grant through the Swiss Embassy to renovate these vital community hubs.
  • Río Torres Project: While the immediate urgency of flooding has lessened with the dry weather, the risk for the community remains. We are continuing our advocacy and fundraising for the relocation initiative. A special shout-out to volunteer Cat Carol, whose story about the Río Torres challenges was recently featured in The Guardian.
  • Bunkbed Program: Thanks to the labor and financial support of visiting volunteers we were able to build and deliver 10 bunkbeds over the last few months. This included for the children of single mothers and grandparent guardians who foster their grandchildren.

Health & Health Education

This quarter, we welcomed medical professionals and students who assisted with general health checks for persons from Quitirrisi Indigenous Territory, La Carpio and neighboring communities.

  • Vision Care: While most of our youth are healthy, our recent screenings identified vision health as a primary challenge. We were excited to welcome our friends from Amigos Eye Care this month to provide specialized exams. Through joint efforts we provided exams and care for over 500+ beneficiaries.
  • General Health: Thanks to the visit of our friends from Valparaiso, we were also able to provide general health checks and dental care for 300+ beneficiaries in La Carpio.
  • Mental Health: In our Youth English & Counseling classes, we’ve shifted focus to “the language of the heart”—helping students identify and manage emotions to build long-term confidence and empathy.

Education & Sports

  • Montessori & Literacy: We have returned to our roots in indigenous and rural populations, emphasizing the importance of literature and reading comprehension. In La Carpio, our Montessori students celebrated their “First Day Back” by creating personalized pencil cases to claim ownership of their learning.
    Our three centers in La Carpio continue to serve youth in a variety of activities including tutoring, arts, nutritional support and more.
    We continue to share literacy programs with our indigenous friends including through “My Book is My Friend” program. This focuses on strengthening the public schhool programs through reading, critical thinking, creativity and arts.
  • Soccer Success: The Rescate soccer team is a mighty force this year! They recently debuted their cool new uniforms and are already showing great sportsmanship on the field. The U14 also won the championship, once again becoming top performers on a national level.
  • English & Pizza: Our Sunday English program, sponsored by our chiropractic friends, remains a favorite. Combining learning with community building (and pizza!) has proven to be the perfect formula for engagement.
  • Computer Lessons: We continue to strengthen our computer lab lessons in the Centro Modelo. Marisol has been leading this effort, showing youth the basics of Office Suite and comuter science. We also secured funding through the Swiss Embassy to open our second computer la building on the success and demand for the current program.
  • Volunteer Support: Volunteers from across the globe are coming to support our work in education and sports. Groups from University of Connecticut,
  • School Insertion Kits: With the beginning of classes, families face the challenge of purchasing all the scholastic materials the public system requires. We support these families by creating school instertion kits and easing the financial weight this time of year brings for single mother heads of house holds, foster parents and other vulnerable populations. We also did our yearly spring cleaning  and organized our centers, cleaning out any old materials and refreshing the space to prepare for the new cohort of youth.
  • National Theatre visit: A group of youth from our center were sponsored to visit the national theatre to watch a play. As part of our support in arts, we welcomed the invitation and the kids were very excited to go on this field trip.

SME’s and Capacity Building

  • SME’s: There have been several families and single women with children coming to our center looking for support. We assess the situation and address the most urgent needs first, including food, clothing and shelter. We simultaneously work to find economic opportunities including in women’s beauty and care, baking and other simple abnd profitable entrepreneurships. We continue toi support the beneficiaries through the process until they become fully independent and no longer rely on the CRHF services. Lately this includes many Venezuelan returnees and the constant flow of Nicaraguans.
  • Capacity building: We continue to work with our beneficiaries in improving capacitates including in teaching skills, basic education, computer skills among others to ensure they have the tools to integrate into a competitive labor market.

Volunteers & Right Action

Volunteers remain the heartbeat of the CRHF. This quarter, we’ve seen a wonderful exchange of friendship and service:

  • Team Tuesday Spotlight: We recently highlighted Harold, a collaborator of nearly ten years. His journey from painting a single wall to becoming a leader in our building projects embodies the spirit of our Model of Development.
  • Indigenous Groups Support: We continue to support our Huetar friends from the Quitirrisi indigenous territory. Through cultural visits and medical care, we continue to support the strengthening and enrichment of indigenous culture among local and international visitors. We also provided our longtime partner in the Cabecar Bajo Chirripó region with urgent healthcare due to a medical crisis he had recently. Flagler College was one of the groups who visited this quarter to learn from our Quitirrisi friends.
  • Spring Break Groups: This March, we welcomed groups like Ohio U. OUZ Social Work, who visited to learn about our spiral model of development while providing hands-on support in La Carpio. We also formed part of a panel on Study Abroad and volunteering at the Universidad Hispanoamericana for a group of Students from UNLV.
    We also hosted students from the Private School Blake from Minnesota who learned about the community model of development and did house visits to learn about the challenges and opportunities for the people of La Carpio.
    Allen-Stevenson School returned and provided the community of La Libertad support and days full of fun and educational activities for the youth.
    Numerous other organization and universities visited to provide essential services from health to education and housing infrastructure during the spring break season.
    We would like to send a heartfelt thank you for those of you who chose to support underserved communities during the spring break volunteer season.
  • Casa Quetzal: We continue to develop Casa Quetzal as a space to share experiences and knowledge on peace building and indigenous traditional knowledge. We also provide it as a space away from all the hustle and bustle to decompress and reflect on our work and impact in the world. 
  • Walking to La Carpio: Our chiropractic friends from Minnesota, Dr. Joe and family came up with a fun activity for the youth of their congregation. Walking the distance from Minnesota to La Carpio accumulated between the group of youth over several days. They have been learning about our beloved community and what a thoughtful gesture and way of continuing to support us after their time in CR.
  • Success Stories: We celebrate Alcides, a beloved collaborator who is currently learning to read at age 45 while fostering eight children. His determination is an inspiration to us all.
  • Boys Fishing Trip: Thanks to the thoughtful support of our donors, the boys who work all year-round hauling food boxes upstairs and so much more, were gifted a fishing boat trip which was well deserved after a very busy end of year.
  • Dr. Pat and Wife Ericka Water Project: Chiropractor Dr. Pat has become increasingly involved in support our community in La Carpio. He is working on installing a clean water system so the the community of La Libertad and Rio Torres will have access to continuous safe drinking water. This in addition to his continued support through his chiropractor services.
  • Dr. Joe, Nicole and Familia: Dr. Joe who also started providing chiropractor care for our community, and his wife Nicole working with youth, has become more involved over the opast year. Son Xander worked to save up to spend four months with us providing support to our beneficiaries and building bunkbeds.
  • Carla and Paul Niosi: Carla and Paul have been visiting once monthly to work with our collaborators to improve their physical health through craniolsacral therapy and other techniques. Carla has been working with youth on different creative activities.
  • Irene and Frederick: Visiting from Europe, Irene from Spain and Frederick from Germany spent a month of their free time in Costa Rica. Between La Carpio and indigenous communities, they provided vital support in improving our buildings and translating for medical volunteers, among other activities.
  • Cooper: Individual volunteer Cooper from Washington has been a great support over the past few months, focusing on youth development and remaining flexible and adaptable to the challenges of the day.
  • Jake: We bid farewell to Jake from Chicago who has been with us for an entire year! He was great support in different areas from interpreter to helping organize medical data. We tried to support him in his professional path, as he spent some of the time here applying for medical school successfully. We hope Jake great success in his future and know that he will be a great contribution to society.
  • Masitas: We received a generous donation of Masitas Playdough for our centers which we have always enjoyed working with. Thanks to this SME for giving back in form of CSR – Right Action.
  • La Carpio Clean-Up: CRHF was present during an activity organized by Greenwolf which consisted of cleaning the “Terminal” sector of La Carpio by the landfill. This was in collaboration with several other non-profits that work in the area including Casa Ilori, ASOCODECA and SIFIAIS, the Municipality of San Jose and the company that manages the landfill, EBI.

Looking Ahead

We spent a good part of this early year cleaning out closets and discarding boxes of receipts. It was a walk down memory lane looking at the 10’s of thousands of receipts for moneys spent on countless Right Action. We can’t help but be immensely grateful for all the hearts and souls who have come through the Foundation over the 30+ years of operation with the goal of making the world a better place.

Towards the end of the 1st quarter, we received notice that Francisco had successfully applied for a grant through the Swiss which will help improve our infrastructure, build collaborator morale and strengthen our programs in La Carpio into the foreseeable future.

We also published our 2025 Year End Report which can be found on our website. It’s always rewarding to look back at the year’s work and use it to plan into the future.

As we look toward the rest of 2026, we remain committed to our Model of Poverty Reduction. Whether it’s through the upcoming renovations in La Carpio or expanding our educational reach to indigenous and in coastal communities like Uvita, your support makes this work possible.

How You Can Help:

  • Donate: Your contributions provide bunk beds, school materials, and food security.
  • Partner: We welcome local and international companies to join our CSR initiatives.
  • Volunteer: Come experience “Right Action” firsthand.

Thank you for sharing our dream!

Volunteers

Reflecting on Spring 2026: Building Impact, Looking Ahead to Summer

As we begin to wrap up the 2026 spring volunteer season and prepare for the summer 2026 summer volunteer season, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited us and provided essential services and resources to the communities we support.

This spring, volunteers contributed to a wide range of CRHF programs, including youth development initiatives in arts, sports, tutoring, languages, and technology. Visiting groups also led impactful health and health education activities, offering support in areas such as nutrition, basic medical check-ups, vision care, and dental services.

In addition, past and long-term volunteers have been working diligently to organize medical records and other key data for the Foundation. This effort allows us to reflect on the impact we have made across different regions of Costa Rica over the decades and helps guide our future work.

Our collaborators continue to provide excellent services as we strive to improve our programs and maximize the resources made available to us.

Volunteer group visits not only strengthen our capacity to serve communities, but their contributions also play a vital role in ensuring our financial sustainability. This support allows us to plan and implement medium- and long-term programs through our model of development.

As the days begin to grow warmer, we are preparing for volunteer groups visiting in the summer of 2026. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with groups who have supported us over the years, and we are equally excited to welcome new groups. We invite anyone interested in supporting our work to reach out and learn how you can be part of this positive change.

Ready to make a meaningful impact this summer?
Join our Summer 2026 volunteer programs and become part of a hands-on effort to support communities across Costa Rica. Whether your strengths are in education, health, youth development, or community building, there’s a place for you to contribute.

Spots are filling quickly—reach out today to learn more about available dates, program options, and how you or your group can get involved.

Be part of the change. Volunteer with us this summer.

Collaborators, La Carpio, Migration, Success Stories, Volunteers

Team Tuesday Spotlight: Keyla – Courage

Vol. 5

This post is part of our Team Tuesday series, highlighting the incredible people who make the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation what it is. This is the last of this series written by Jacob Killburg.

By Jacob Killburg

Keyla

Keyla was born in León, Nicaragua, and her childhood held little stability. Her stepfather forbade her from going to school, and she spent her earliest years enduring abandonment and sexual abuse. Yet, she carried within her a quiet determination—a vision of one day creating the safe, loving home she never had. At six years old, her mother brought her to Costa Rica, a move that shaped the rest of her life.

In La Carpio, she became a mother—raising five children on her own and finding strength in caring for them. Daily life stretched every colón. At times her kids paused their education when she couldn’t cover bus fares, a sacrifice that pains her deeply because she knows education is their path forward. Violence and gang recruitment in the neighborhood weigh on her mind, but she begins her days with a simple prayer for strength, hope, and her family’s safety.

About a year ago, her connection with the CRHF became a turning point. At the time, she was selling her body to survive but longed to leave that behind. Arriving at the foundation for food support, she met Gail, who offered her a different path: steady work assisting with the food program and caring for the shared spaces. Since then, Keyla has pridefully leaned into this work, and she now calls the foundation team the family she never had.

In the past year Keyla has expanded her abilities in remarkable ways.

She is attending school for the first time in her life, recently graduating from a level one literacy class and working toward the next. In addition, Keyla completed a stylist training program that combined classroom lessons with free haircuts for people living on the streets. To make it work, she woke at 3 a.m. every Wednesday to prepare her household, clean at the foundation, and attend classes until mid-afternoon. She graduated proudly and dreams of opening her own salon. Above all, Keyla wants to empower women who have endured abuse to speak their truths and to know that being believed can change everything.

Keyla’s story is one of pure courage. She has transformed her past into a fierce motherhood that drives her to rise every morning, and her determined energy radiates to those around her.

Collaborators, Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation, Food Program, La Carpio, Volunteers

Team Tuesday Spotlight: Harold – The Steady Hand

Vol. 4

This post is part of our #TeamTuesday series, highlighting the incredible people who make the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation what it is.

By Jacob Killburg

Harold


Harold Junior Morales Espinales first walked into the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation at age twelve seeking bread and vegetables for his family after his mother lost her job. He had just finished elementary school with good grades but due to financial barriers could not continue into high school. What began as a visit for food assistance became the start of something much greater.

Gail, the Foundation director, asked him to help paint a wall one day. Impressed by his care and skill, she offered him more work. From that small act of trust, Harold began a journey that has now spanned nearly ten years. He has grown into one of the Foundation’s most capable and steady team members—managing accounting, assisting with construction and repairs, and serving as a welcoming presence for visiting volunteers. His English has improved, his confidence has deepened, and his quiet leadership shines.

Now 22 years old, Harold balances his job with night classes in high school, determined to finish his studies and continue on to university. Despite long days that sometimes start before sunrise and end after 10 p.m., Harold radiates calm and optimism. Music, especially from hip-hop artists like Tupac, lifts him up when life feels especially tough. He dreams of becoming a police officer or investigator, a role that reflects both his sense of justice and his love for problem-solving.

But Harold’s story is much bigger than himself.


As the oldest of five siblings, Harold feels a responsibility to lead by example. He speaks of his mother with reverence—how she taught him that honest work and humility are worth more than easy money. His father, though no longer present, left him the gift of practical skill: how to paint, fix, and build with his hands. And the losses he has witnessed—the friends taken too soon by violence or addiction—have strengthened his resolve to live differently, to “earn money with the sweat of his brow,” and to make his family proud.

Harold is kind, resourceful, reliable, and determined, and it is no wonder he is emerging as a leader in the Foundation and in the greater community of La Carpio.

Collaborators, Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation, Food Program, La Carpio, Migration, Volunteers

Team Tuesday Spotlight: Alcides – The Guardian

Vol. 3

This post is part of our #TeamTuesday series, highlighting the incredible people who make the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation what it is.

By Jacob Killburg

Alcides

Alcides Antonio López was born in northern Nicaragua and grew up during the Contra War. With his father away, Alcides began working at age six, helping on farms by planting crops and caring for animals. He remembers the sound of gunfire, moving often for safety, and attending school for only three months. One of his sisters died at age seven when a bomb fell nearby. Alcides describes those years as a time of constant work and responsibility, with little room for childhood.

Since leaving Nicaragua in 2000 in search of a better life, Alcides has moved between Nicaragua and Costa Rica in response to economic hardship and political unrest, ultimately resettling in Costa Rica in 2018 as a refugee with a work permit.

Alcides remembers the exact day, July 28th, 2020, when he approached Gail for the first time.  She invited him to carry boxes of vegetables and organize different spaces. From that day, his roles have expanded and he has become a full time collaborator. He feels a deep sense of pride and ownership in helping with food distribution, managing the Foundation’s nearby recycled clothing shop, and coordinating volunteer outreach. “For me, the Foundation comes first. I’m giving my all here — until God decides my time is done.”

Alcides is the guardian of eight children who he has taken in as his own. To those children and many others in the community, Alcides hopes to instill a value he says should guide every interaction: respecting and treating everyone well, regardless of age or status.

After many years without schooling, Alcides is now studying literacy at a university in San José. “It means everything to me,” he said. “I want to better myself, to prepare for my future, my life, my family.” Returning to education has helped him communicate more confidently and connect with people in new ways.

He defines leadership as caring for others, whether it be within his family or for his community. He hopes the Foundation will keep growing with new support to improve La Carpio, and believes the current team is strong and ready to carry on that mission for years to come.

“For me,” Alcides says, “the Foundation is my family, my home, and my purpose.”

Collaborators, Food Program, Volunteers

Team Tuesday Spotlight: Milagro – Kindness For All

Vol. 2

This post is part of our #TeamTuesday series, highlighting the incredible people who make the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation what it is.

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By Jacob Killburg

Milagro

Milagro López de Lira grew up in Granada, Nicaragua—a place she remembers as beautiful and full of life, even amid hardship. Her childhood was marked by poverty and early responsibility. With her father absent, she stopped going to school after third grade to help her mother make and sell tortillas so their family could put food on the table. As a teenager, she suffered abuse, becoming pregnant at twelve and losing the baby after physical violence.

Still, she pressed on, later meeting the father of her eight children. Together they moved to Costa Rica seeking stability. But over time, violence returned to her life, and while pregnant with her youngest she made the brave choice to report her partner to Costa Rican authorities, and raise her children alone. She was one of the first women in La Carpio to do so, and she now continues forward safely, her children being the center of her world.

Milagro was once a customer of the foundation’s food program, but one morning, when the team was short-staffed, she volunteered to help clean crates. That gesture opened a door. Over time, she has become part of the Foundation’s daily rhythm. Organizing and distributing food, she brings warmth to every visitor. She says she uses the same bright, affectionate attitude she learned to express while selling tortillas as a child. Whether the person in front of her is wealthy, struggling, angry, or kind, Milagro treats them the same.

At home, her pride in her children is immense. The older ones have moved out, building their own lives; the younger ones are still in school. She teaches them to share what they have and treat others with compassion.

Music is the heartbeat of her life. Her home is always filled with sound as she cooks and spends time with her kids. Most days she plays music through the foundation speaker, encouraging even the most timid to bust out a dance move. “It gives me energy,” she says. “It makes me feel like myself.”

Faith, gratitude, and kindness are the pillars of Milagro’s life. Measuring her worth in how well she’s cared for her children and how she treats others, she (literally) dances through life, bringing everyone around her along for the ride.

Quarterly Newsletter

CRHF 2025 4th Quarter Newsletter

Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter was highlighted by graduations and holiday celebrations. Throughout this period, we continued our work across food security, housing, health, education, sports, and community development programs in Costa Rica.

Food

Our food program continues to provide nutritious meals to thousands of people across Costa Rica. Thanks to AutoMercado and our private donors who are making this essential program possible. We encourage anyone living in Costa Rica to consider supporting AutoMercado for your grocery needs.

As we continue to see an uptick in people living on the streets of San José, we continued to provide pop-up kitchens. These take place in areas known to be frequented by these populations. This increase is due in part to migratory restrictions being imposed by a number of countries. Costa Rica continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with those seeking refuge in an ever more uncertain world.

A large number of the people we support on the streets are Venezuelan returnees who are in limbo while they try to figure out whether to head home or stay in Costa Rica until they can find more adequate and secure futures. We are also supporting Venezuelans who come to La Carpio looking for our support. Many single women with children are arriving looking for ways to eat, make money, and become independent.

Our hot meal program for the families of Río Torres continued to run strong through the end of the year. One of the areas in La Carpio with the highest indices of poverty, we are trying to find a permanent solution for their housing, which is under constant threat from landslides and river flooding.

Casa Ilori, located in La Carpio and one of the organizations we have had many collaborations with, also benefits from our food program. We provide the youth they work with daily meals, offering the nutrition needed to grow healthy and develop academic skills in more ideal environments.

Housing

During the end of the year and the beginning of the new school year, single mothers must incur significant expenses for school materials and gifts for their children. To ensure families have a prosperous Christmas, we provide rent relief, mainly to single-mother heads of household who might otherwise not have the funds or would have to make difficult choices.

Río Torres continues to be our focus for the medium- and long-term housing project. We have an estimate of the cost to develop this program and are looking for funding. With the rain receding, the urgency lessens; however, the risk posed by landslides and flooding for the community of Río Torres is still very real.

Health and Health Education

During our visit to Amubri, we were able to provide comfort and assistance during the spay and neuter clinic put on by visiting veterinarians. We encourage and support these efforts in many communities, including La Carpio.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, we had the visit of a group of medics and dentists in La Carpio who provided much-needed care. The beneficiaries were especially grateful for the dental work, as this is not a service that’s readily available for our populations.

Our dear friends of Quiropráctico La Carpio continue to support us and provide wonderful relief to aching bodies. They also visited with their son Zander this time, who worked construction to save up to come to Costa Rica and give back to La Carpio.

During the holiday season, we had a visit from our friends from the Democrats Abroad club. Carla, her husband, and their friends provided the amazing service of sacrocranial and massage therapy. Collaborators enjoyed these sessions as a treat for their hard work during the year.

Education

Indigenous

As we return to our roots of working with indigenous, coastal, and rural populations, we are sharing the importance of literature, reading comprehension, and analysis. During this period, we visited Amubri and worked with local teachers to implement Gail’s My Book Is My Friend program.

My Book Is My Friend is a program Gail has been working on as a lifelong project. Based on a set of children’s books she wrote throughout her time in Costa Rica, this program focuses on literature, art, reading comprehension, and the human–nature connection. The Cabécar community also benefited from this program. Both communities were ecstatic about the program, and some leaders even asked to take the program back to their communities. We welcome any support for this program.

We are slowly but surely moving forward with the renovation of the Family Well-Being Center and Library in Amubri. As you may know, it served as the home of two German priests beginning in the early 1950s. The structure remains in good condition, and we plan to use it as a cultural center for the community. The library will foster literature about, for and by indigenous populations. A local community member is interested in managing the library, and the community supports the effort, recognizing the importance of cultural preservation.

La Carpio

In La Carpio, our youth development programs continue to provide healthy and educational environments for children in the community. A highlight of our programs this year is our focus on sharing information about the world. In part, we do this so our youth become familiar with the beauty found in the diversity our planet has to offer. We particularly enjoy learning about Africa, where our sister organization, Wells Mountain Initiative, has its main operations.

Our computer classes are a complete success. We have graduated our first cohort, who learned typing skills and the Microsoft Suite, including how to make Excel charts and graphs. Marisol continues to lead this program, sponsored in part by EBI, the company that runs the local landfill.

Our Sunday English and Pizza program is also proving successful. Getting youth interested in spending their free time learning English has been a challenge over the years. Our Quiropráctico friends sponsored the pizza for this program, which seems to be key to getting youth to attend classes on a regular basis.

Both the youth in the English and computer classes enjoyed an outing at the end of the year to celebrate their dedication to completing and excelling in the classes. Through these programs, we are providing youth with tools required for an increasingly demanding skilled labor market.

A bright student from Blue Valley School who is hoping to transition to the United World College curriculum presented us with a project to provide youth with resources for achieving higher education. Mariana also carried out research on learning conditions for youth in La Carpio as an initial effort to improve conditions. She produced a website that youth can benefit from into the future: https://portaleducativo.info/.

Sports

Our sports program continues to thrive. We held our year-end celebrations for Liga Rescate La Carpio. We also celebrated the boys’ birthdays each month and provided families with a basic food basket to take home. Many participants are beginning to show interest in the computer and English programs as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. And of course as with every year, we were champions and sub-shampions in all categories.

SMEs, CSR, and Capacity Building

Angeli and Marisol continue to grow their skill sets in teaching and computing. As they take courses and learn through self-teaching, our youth benefit exponentially.

We continue to work with the Abuelas arts and crafts initiative, including improving and diversifying the products. Several individuals are providing valuable feedback to help make the products more marketable. Not only the Abuelas benefit, but many local artisans also benefit from these sales.

More local businesses have been contacting us about the possibility of supporting our work. This quarter, JIRON, a large mattress manufacturer, contacted us to donate face masks. We were also contacted by a shoemaker, and we look forward to sharing more about that collaboration soon. We always welcome support from local and international companies.

Empathy, Compassion, Right Action

As the apex of our Model of Development, we focus on highlighting the importance of empathy, compassion, and giving back through Right Action. In this phase of the model, we highlight the volunteers and supporters who make our work possible.

Volunteers

Stena returned to help us during our busy end-of-year celebrations.

Jake has been accepted into medical school and continues to support our programs. Recently, he created short biographies of collaborators to share on social media.

Shaye completed her four months with us, working closely with youth in La Carpio and stepping up when we most needed her. Fresh out of high school, she is paving the way as a leader in social causes.

Kay from New Jersey, who is studying in Costa Rica, also joined us during the end of the year and provided important support.

Louise (Luisa) from Canada joined us for a couple of weeks, working in youth development and supporting our many celebrations.

Troy University continues to support our health and health education program. Their visit provided important support to our populations in La Carpio.

Zander, the son of Quiropráctico La Carpio, also demonstrated strong leadership and empathy by saving up to make the trip to Costa Rica and support our work for several months.

Right Action

Through our Quiropráctico partners, youth in La Carpio had a virtual call with their counterparts in Minnesota. They are now pen pals and are looking forward to building lasting connections.

Colchones JIRON donated face masks, which we can use during health campaigns and periods of increased respiratory illness.

In the town of Grecia, the expatriate community lost one of its dear artist members. In his honor and at his request, they hosted a silent auction of some of his works, with the proceeds donated to the Foundation.

Every year since our beginning, we have provided marginalized youth with caring Christmas activities, including games, food, dessert, and presents. This year, we hosted nearly 2,000 youth. From La Carpio where our main projects, all the way out to sea to the indigenous community living on Isla Chira, BriBri and to Parrita, we shared gifts, food, fun, love and hope to the youth of Costa Rica.

Supporters

To our supporters—donors, volunteers, those cheering us on, praying for us, and following our social media—thank you from the entire team and beneficiaries of the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation. No matter how small or large your support is, know that you are making a difference.

Looking Forward to 2026

Volunteers

As we begin the volunteer high season and the year 2026, we have a number of hopes and dreams. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our support of indigenous populations. Through Casa Quetzal and My Book Is My Friend, we are shifting our focus toward cultural sharing, recuperation, and preservation. We want to ensure that the vital knowledge held by indigenous communities—including knowledge related to health, sustainability, and cosmovision—continues to benefit the world.

La Carpio

We hope to strengthen our La Carpio programs with a focus on care for seniors and preparing youth for higher education and the labor market. Despite a general uptick in crime in Costa Rica, especially in marginalized communities, La Carpio and its population have largely maintained their culture over time. We aim to continue providing youth with healthy environments and opportunities that support a peaceful community.

Coastal and Rural Communities

In our work with coastal communities, we look forward to defining the future of our program in Uvita. We decided that we must hire a local teacher who can begin youth development courses, including tutoring and before- and after-school care. We are beginning the process of recruiting someone to start the program in conjunction with the beginning of the public school year in mid-February 2026. We hope to expand this program with the support of visitors and local community members and that the community will both receive and join us in our efforts to improve local livelihoods.

Casa Quetzal

Casa Quetzal continues to develop organically. In 2026, we will be hosting our first large group at Casa Quetzal for a week, who will also be building an indigenous community center. This space will serve as a place for indigenous leaders from different groups to come together, share knowledge, and connect with visitors from across Costa Rica and around the world.

Call to Action

As the high season begins, we would like to invite visitors to Costa Rica to support our work by volunteering and providing goods and services. Our spring break and summer programs are a great way to get to know the country, its people, and to give back. These experiences are deeply rewarding and often remain lifelong memories.

Whether you are an individual, a group of friends, a family, or part of a university program, we welcome you to learn about our work, experience Costa Rica, and give back to the community.

As part of our four core values—cost efficiency and transparency—we work to ensure that the greatest possible portion of funds reaches those who need it most and creates the greatest impact. With this in mind, we would like to thank our recurring monthly and yearly donors. These donations provide stable income that allows us to strengthen programs and plan for medium- and long-term goals. We invite anyone interested in supporting our work to explore recurring donation options.

We now also offer the option to donate via cryptocurrency. Tax-deductible donations continue to be available through our sister organization, Wells Mountain Initiative, and PayPal remains a preferred option for recurring donations.

We’ll be publishing our 2025 Year End Report soon.

Conclusion

As we close the fourth quarter and reflect on the year, we are grateful for the continued commitment of our communities, partners, volunteers, and supporters. The work reflected in this report represents collective effort and shared values.

We look forward to continuing this work in the coming year and thank all those who walk alongside us in service, compassion, and Right Action.

Collaborators, La Carpio, Migration, Volunteers

Team Tuesday Spotlight: Doña Antonia — The Heart of CRHF

Vol. 1

This post is part of our #TeamTuesday series, highlighting the incredible people who make the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation what it is.

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By Jacob Killburg

Doña Antonia

María Antonia Zequeira García, affectionately known as Doña Antonia or simply “Abuela”, was born in Joyalpa, Nicaragua, the seventh of eleven siblings in a close-knit Catholic family. Life in Nicaragua was marked by hardship and limited opportunities. In 1992, at age 38, she left Nicaragua alone in search of work and safety, eventually making her home in La Carpio, Costa Rica. She later brought her two eldest children to join her and gave birth to her youngest daughter in Costa Rica.

Doña Antonia’s connection to the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation began by chance. One day she came to buy vegetables and was told they were looking for someone to step in as a cook. That was seven years ago, and since then, the Foundation has become her second home. She prepares breakfast and lunch for the CRHF team 7 days a week and for volunteer groups that sometimes amount to as many as 100 mouths to feed in one day. Despite this, she insists on being left to handle the task alone, and delivers a delicious meal to every plate. These meals carry her warmth and generosity, nourishing the body and the spirit of those around her. She describes herself as “a fish in water” when cooking, and at the Foundation she has found companionship and purpose.

Her path has been full of trials: losing her partner to COVID-19, navigating her daughter’s lifelong health challenges, caring for a son through leukemia, and mourning the deaths of siblings and other loved ones. Financial strain, medical hardships, and immigration struggles within her family have tested her strength repeatedly. Yet, she has carried herself with dignity and perseverance through it all.

Doña Antonia embodies the heart of La Carpio—resilient, resourceful, and community-minded. She has turned hardship into wisdom, grief into compassion, and work into a labor of love. She believes deeply in God’s strength, which she feels sustains her in the hardest moments, and she keeps hope alive for her children’s futures. In every corner of the Foundation, her presence, like a steady flame, is impossible not to admire.

Donation, Volunteers

The Power of One: How Volunteers Change Lives (Including Their Own)

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Post #2 —

Series: The Heart of Humanitarian Action

When people think of humanitarian work, they often picture food drives, construction projects, or educational programs — but the true power behind every successful initiative is much simpler: people helping people.

At the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation (CRHF), we have seen firsthand that one person can change a life.
Sometimes forever.

From university interns and medical brigades to families traveling from abroad or Costa Ricans seeking to give back, volunteers arrive with one intention:

“I want to make a difference.”

What many don’t expect is that the experience changes them just as deeply.

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Stories of Transformation

We have welcomed thousands of volunteers over the years — teachers, doctors, engineers, retirees, teenagers, and people who simply felt called to help.

They’ve helped with:

  • Food distribution for families experiencing homelessness in San José
  • Health education, nutrition support, and medical care in Indigenous communities
  • Early childhood enrichment and literacy programs in La Carpio
  • Construction and repairs for families living in unsafe housing
  • Mentorship, emotional support, and therapy-based play programs for youth

Every act — whether teaching a child to read, cleaning a wound, or building a safe place to sleep — becomes part of a lasting story of dignity and opportunity.

One volunteer said it best:

“I came to help others, but I left with a new understanding of humanity, compassion, and myself.”

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Where Volunteers Make the Greatest Impact

💜 La Carpio: A Community of Strength

Once labeled one of Costa Rica’s most marginalized neighborhoods, La Carpio is now a place of resilience because people showed up — again, and again, and again.

🌿 Indigenous Communities (Bribri, Cabécar & others)

Support includes access to healthcare, education, culturally respectful development, emergency supplies, and constructing safe housing.

🏙 San José’s Homeless Population

Volunteers help distribute meals, hygiene kits, and warm clothing — and most importantly, share moments of human connection with individuals forgotten by society.

👶 Early Childhood Development & Education Programs

Play-based learning, Montessori-inspired environments, and emotional literacy programs help break intergenerational poverty.

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Volunteering Creates Lifelong Advocates

Some volunteers return every year.
Others go home and raise funds, sponsor children, or start programs in their own communities.

Why?

Because once you’ve seen what dignity looks like in action — you don’t forget it.

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Why Donors Make This Possible

While volunteers give their time and heart, donors provide what keeps the work going:

📖 educational supplies
🥦 food for families in crisis
🏥 medical support
👷🏽‍♀️ construction materials
📝 staff and logistics resources

Together — donors and volunteers form a bridge of compassion.

And that bridge changes lives.

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❤️ Want to Create Impact?

Whether you give time, resources, or funding, your contribution becomes part of someone else’s story of hope.

Click here to join our volunteer program.

🟣 Donate or Partner With Us Today