Looks like we’re long overdue for an update on what’s been going on around here. There is so much news, I’m not sure where to start!

First of all, I want to welcome Roberto Lamagno from San Diego. Roberto came to us with the intent of participating in our 2-week volunteer program. Much like what happened to me, he fell in love with the country and people and decided to make Costa Rica his home. Roberto is now a Director with Tropical Adventures, sits on the board of directors of our foundation, and is leading a wonderful project on the Talamanca Indigenous Reservation. His experience, vision and loving energy are a welcome addition to the family.

The second thing I wanted to share with you is actually about the project Roberto is managing on the reservation. The reason we sent Roberto (as we have other volunteers) to the community of Uatsi on the reservation, is because there is great need in that area. Many families have no access to water without walking for hours, very few people have electricity, nobody speaks English, and indigenous families struggle constantly just to come up with food to feed their families.

Our goal as a foundation is to do our best to help the community become self-sufficient without imposing ourselves as
outsiders, and to preserve their culture. Roberto inspired a plan for the community that was welcome with open arms. Thanks to a generous loan, we are now constructing a cultural center in which to meet and to teach English, as well as business skills. In addition, we’re also building some houses which will become a bed & breakfast and restaurant. They will also be creating a commercial fish farm, planting organic gardens and orchards.

Through the English classes and training, community members will learn to manage the B&B, restaurant, fish farm, gardens, and orchards. They are also learning to become (ecologically-conscious) tour guides for their breathtakingly beautiful area. They will slowly pay back this loan through the funds they make with these projects. However, this loan is not enough to cover the costs of the project, and donations are needed.

At the same time, we’re working on a project to build some aqueducts in the mountains to provide water for many families who are without. This is very labor-intense work, as these homes are in extremely remote areas. Thankfully the families who will be receiving the water are helping out with the labor. What we really need are some donors for the supplies.

As if that were not enough, I have some more wonderful news to share with you. In just a few short weeks we will receive our first group of orphans for our new orphanage in Paraiso! The plan is to start with 6 teenagers and sets of brothers / sisters, and then to build a new building to accommodate many more. On the same property we are building an organic garden, playground, trails, butterfly farm and bird sanctuary.

All of this is, of course, wonderful news. We’re all very excited about these projects, which are supplementing the other projects we already have going on.

Now comes the most important part. We need help! All of these things cost money. Your generous donations will be accepted with open arms! We’re also looking for volunteers to help us out with every aspect of these projects. If you feel moved to do so, we would appreciate your assistance.

I’ll be posting some financial information shortly, so you can see what it takes to keep these projects going. In the meantime, if you are able to help us, or if you have questions, please contact me for more information by email or by phone: 1-800-832-9419.

Thanks and many blessings!