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Pura Vida in Costa Rica
Pura Vida runs programs for more than 500 children each year with nutritious meals, educational opportunity, confidence-building activities and personal relationships. We have nurtured physical health by serving over 50,000 nutritious meals and have provided educational opportunity by offering over 60,000 hours of computer classes. We have built confidence, character and strength of spirit through
Pura Vida has partnered with FundaVida to bring hope to children and families in four troubled neighborhoods of San Jose, Costa Rica. In these neighborhoods violence, drug abuse, prostitution and neglect are commonplace and create fear, low self-esteem and hopelessness. Children in these areas are at-risk and very vulnerable to the destructive behaviors around them.
To help break this cycle of poverty, we work with local community leaders and partners to create long-term, sustainable community development.
FundaVida began in 1995 with the simple vision of developing relationships with children and offering them an alternative to the destructive future of drug addiction and alcoholism. Their programs provide an environment that offers physical safety, tangible support, acceptance, and love. We believe these factors are necessary to help at-risk children learn different behaviors. Due to the success of our programs, we have expanded and now work in four communities of San José (Concepción de Alejuelita, La Tabla, Linda Vista and 25 de Julio).
Nutritional Centers
Our Nutritional Centers provide over 1,400 hot, nutritious meals each week. For some, this is the only meal they will eat that day. We provide fresh meat, fish and vegetables that children rarely get at home. In 2005 alone we served over 53,000 meals, up 25% from 2004. We also help children and mothers with basic hygiene and health practices such as cleanliness, nutrition and the importance of brushing teeth.
Computer Centers
Through daily classes, our four computer centers help children and teens gain basic computer and robotics programming experience, utilize collaborative problem- solving skills in service to their communities, and develop a love for learning and a vision for their future. Last year, we provided over 15,000 hours of training to more than 200 children each week and have been particularly successful in empowering girls to stay in, and excel at school.
Sports Programs
Pura Vida sponsors four soccer teams that practice and play competitively each week. Organized sports provide a healthy alternative for children who might otherwise spend time on the streets or in a gang. Our award- winning soccer teams received over 415 hours of professional training and allow boys from four neighborhoods to play competitively and learn the value of teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition.
Counseling Programs
The four communities we serve identified counseling as their number one need due to high levels of alcohol and drug addiction, prostitution and single parenthood. FundaVida provides resources for children and families to address these situations in a healthy way by offering individual counseling and community seminars.
Club Pura Vida
At “Club Pura Vida”, more than 100 children and mothers gather to interact on lessons that teach better life choices, enjoy arts and crafts projects, play sports and eat a nutritious meal. Special quarterly field trips allow children the opportunity to visit other areas of the city and broaden their dreams for the future.
