Newsletter January – March 2024

The International Surf Film Festival

450 people attended the Surf Film Festival at TRIO Tamarindo on March 15th and 16th, resulting in an impressive fundraising total of $39,300 for the Mental Health and Sports Program of the CEPIA Association.

Visitors were treated to exceptional surf films exploring human life, determination, and our profound bond with nature. The TRIO restaurant offered delicious food. The raffle of the electric Beachman motorcycle and CheBoards surfboards was a great success! Athlete Roy Calderón raised funds for his upcoming adapted surf tournament in Hawaii. Many attendees immersed themselves in surfing history through the showcased boards, some dating back to the 1970s! Musicians Pascal Trio and Max Gea filled the atmosphere with rhythm.

We thank the main sponsor of the 2024 festival: Las Catalinas!

Acknowledgment of our premium sponsors:

Las Ventanas de Playa Grande
Christie’s International Real Estate
Witch’s Rock Surf Camp
Studio ALTO
Beachman Bikes

You can find Eduardo Cuevas photos in the following links:
Day 1
Day 2

Special thanks to OHANA STUDIO for capturing event footage. You can download it HERE.
Photo credits @ohanaphotocr
More info about Ohana: https://www.ohanaphotoshop.com

Thanks to the Super Silver sponsors: TRIO, Playgrounds, CheBoards, Grafika.

Thanks to the Silver sponsors: Ripjack Inn, Grande Real Estate, Martin and Alejandra Salerno, Access Golf, Morpho, Planeta Surf, NEWO, and Capitán Suizo.

Thanks to the supporting sponsors: Zurcher, Odio & Raven Lawyers, IMC, La Oveja Surf House, Frijoles Locos, Sunbum, Cristiano Veroli, SIXT Rent a Car, and Alternative Healing Spa.

We also appreciate the support of Laboratorio Navarro y Alpízar, Alegría soaps, Deli café, Saltee Surf and Golf, ONDA Playa Grande, Hotel Seis Playas, Ocho Bungalows, Restaurante Tabú, Pizzería La Baula, Restaurante Noguis, Restaurante Pico, Restaurante CEPIA, Joyería Maracuyá, BAGUS, Kristen Brown, Diamante Boutique, Olivia Designs, Biankalu, CIRCUS Store, Cha Café, EK Art Jewelry, De Lohana Bikinis, Frangipini Miami, H&M Home Costa Rica, Zerophilo, Bendito Tamarindo, Morena Beachwear, Café Britt, Gurmé, Dolores.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the individuals who have made this film festival possible:

Jerry Hirsch – Director and Co-founder
Laetitia Deweer – Co-Producer and CEPIA Founder
Matt Oberman – Owner TRIO Tamarindo
Cristiano de Veroli -: Artistic Director, Director of Photography
Gabriela Valenzuela-Hirsch – Creative Director and Information Architect
Bárbara Cuevas Víquez – Creative Design Director and Web Master
Nathalie Salazar – Event Production, Coodinator and Logistics
Pablo Mesplede – Visual Design Colaborator

Strengthening vulnerable families

From January 31st to February 2nd, essential school supplies and uniforms were distributed to more than 850 children and youth living in vulnerable conditions of the coastal communities of Santa Cruz canton. This initiative aimed to ensure that they could begin the school year with happiness, optimism, and all the necessary resources.

In total, 554 primary school kits and 400 secondary school kits with backpacks, school supplies, and 300 uniforms were distributed.

This campaign is made possible by funds raised through the Black and White Event and thanks to Automercado Tamarindo!

Meet our donors by going to our Donors section at the end of this newsletter.

Teamwork! Families are identified through a waiting list managed by the department. Volunteers visit each home to assess their situation, and then, together with the social worker, determine the level of vulnerability of the family group. After this assessment, each family is assigned a code to collect their school packages.

We thank our volunteers: Ronja Muhr, Stephanie Lippens, Enna Angervuori, Monica Montes, and students from the Santa Cruz campus of the Latina University.

Additionally, follow-up continues with families living in poverty and extreme poverty who require social intervention and assistance. During this period, a total of 53 families have been assisted through donations of food products, vegetables, clothing, and household furniture.

CIDAI

In February, psychoeducational workshops began for minors at the CIDAI comprehensive day care center. So far, 8 workshops have been completed with primary groups, and 1 workshop has been conducted with the youth group. Over the course of the year, these workshops will cover significant topics including financial education, bullying, migratory rights, hygiene and diseases, emotional regulation, life planning, unhealthy relationships, neglect issues, among others, involving various groups and parents.

The psychoeducational workshops have been made possible through the collaboration of Licda, Verónica Pérez Jaén, and Licda. Ivonne Alfaro Brenes for the topic of migratory rights.

UNHCR Fair

In January, an Information Fair was organized in collaboration with officials from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The fair was specifically aimed at Venezuelan migrant individuals transiting through the country on their way to the United States, aiming to streamline and expedite this process for them.

This space was used to address common doubts such as how to obtain an appointment for a refugee card, how to renew it if the appointment has been missed, how to minimize risks, among others.

Protection measures were also activated when cases required it, and settlement locations of migrant individuals were reviewed to firsthand understand the conditions they were in. Approximately 50 people were assisted during this event.

Health Fair

With the aim of providing better healthcare services to the population in the communities surrounding the Huacas Community Center and to facilitate these services for individuals whose migratory status is not regularized, organizations and individuals, in collaboration with CEPIA, came together on February 21st to hold a Health Fair.

Voluntarily, Universidad Latina, along with its students and partners including the Navarro & Alpízar Laboratory, dentist Gina Salazar, yoga teacher Cathy Vanhabost, otolaryngologist Luciano Sousa, holistic therapist Wendy Abarca, and osteopath Daniela Gasparin, dedicated the entire morning to offering complimentary consultations to adults and minors alike.

Services such as blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, throat, nose, and ear examinations, anemia detection, educational talks, breast cancer prevention, and holistic services to manage stress better, improve posture, and address chronic health issues through alternative therapies were offered. A total of 73 people attended.

Extracurricular Classes

San José de Pinilla Project

This collaborative project with Numandi started in March with the goal of providing 100 children, adolescents, and adults from San José de Pinilla with English classes, surfing lessons and boys’ and girls’ circles.

English classes for children, adolescents, and adults started on March 12th this year.

We extend special thanks to the Lexis School Of English and teacher Tatiana Mora Mora for their valuable contribution to this initiative.

Surfing in Avellanas

On March 16th, young people from the San José de Pinilla community started their surfing lessons.

Thanks to Mauricio and the instructors from Avellanas Surf School, Snapper Surf School, and Soul Surf School for their time in teaching this sport to 14 boys and girls participating in these activities.
Special thanks to Lola’s Avellanas and their staff for donating a delicious snack after the session.

Successful Girls Club

Thanks to the Dibujando un Mañana Foundation, it is possible to reach 9 communities and over 130 girls through this project, whose goal is to provide tools to girls to face everyday situations while promoting human rights awareness.

In the Girls’ Successful Girls Club, we commemorated International Women’s Day by making purple bracelets, symbolizing equality and respect. We also work on topics where girls can identify different gender roles imposed by society. During classes, they engage in activities such as building their own stories, encouraging girls to use their imagination without creating stereotypes.

On March 8th, at the Successful Girls Club, we commemorated the ongoing struggle of all women around the world for our rights. Through posters, the girls expressed their thoughts and desires to one day achieve social equity.

Happy Feet

Children who love skating continue to train weekly. On March 2nd, the boys and girls from the Guapote community enjoyed games, sports, and a delicious snack.

Surf4Y

We welcome our new coach, Zulay Martinez Juarez, and we are thrilled to have her support.
The athletes of the team continue to train hard and give their all in competitions.
Congratulations to Gal and Valeska for their incredible results. Let’s keep pushing forward, team!
We appreciate Witch’s Rock and their team for their ongoing support, providing us with weekly fruit donations and the use of equipment.

i-am-the-answer

¡YO SOY LA RESPUESTA! (I Am The Answer)

The program known as “Guardians of the Planet” began on February 15th in the communities of Tempate, Villarreal, Santa Rosa, Huacas, El Llano, Lorena, and Portegolpe, reaching 230 second-grade boys and girls from public schools.

Thanks to the partnership between the CEPIA Association and the GAIA Foundation of Costa Rica, established since 2020, “Yo Soy La Respuesta” (“I Am The Answer”) reaches public schools in Guanacaste for the third year in a row, financed by the Todd and Mary Heintand Family Foundation.

Yo Soy la Respuesta is an educational program on Well-being, Peace, and Sustainability created by the GAIA Foundation of Costa Rica, endorsed by the UN and the Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica.
This program is developed by Wendy Abarca Rojas and Priscila Arias Rodriguez, with the support of local volunteers.
Yo Soy la Respuesta contributes to improving the environmental awareness of children and reducing their ecological footprint through collective partnerships and community work. If you want to be an ally of the program, please contact us at the phone number 8390-5375 or yosoylarespuesta.cepiawen@gmail.com

Summer Camp

On February 2nd and 3rd, the community of El Llanito was filled with colors during the summer camp. We had various activities for children in the community, including art, yoga, traditional games, and crafts.
We are grateful to the volunteers who made this possible. To the group of students from Universidad Latina and their teacher Cindy Gutiérrez, to the group of young people from CEPIA and their teacher Karla Marin, and to the community leaders including Fillemon Berrios, Sary Barrantes, Cesar Abarca, Yariela Abarca, and Adriana Araya.

Dance Camp with Celebrate the Beat

This year started off in motion with the incredible team from Celebrate the Beat, who invited us for the second consecutive year, providing their classes for a week to 20 boys and girls from the community.
The camp lasted for a week of rehearsals, and the performance was very exciting. We thank La Paz School for hosting us.

Empowerment of Women

Huacas Women’s Circle

This marks the fifth year of the Women’s Circle with sustained participation of around 25 women from the communities of Brasilito, Villarreal, Matapalo, La Garita, Lajas, Huacas, Cartagena, El Llano, and Lorena, who gather twice a month to address topics for personal growth and empowerment.
In the first meeting of this year, new goals were established for the group and for each of the participants. The focus is on working with their bodies, aiming to improve both their physical and mental health, combining art therapy activities with physical exercises and self-connection exercises to achieve the expression of their emotions and activities related to their identity. Special emphasis is placed on different energy points of the body to gain greater confidence, connection, and harmony, using the voice through sacred connection chants.

We appreciate the support provided by Larissa Granda throughout these processes. During this quarter, the women had a workshop on emotional self-awareness through art to identify their emotions and discover their strengths and areas for improvement in their personalities, aiming to gain greater security, confidence, and self-esteem.
These aspects are related to self-connection, improving their interpersonal relationships at the family and community levels. Many of these women’s relationships are damaged, resulting in emotional pain, which manifests through various illnesses. The majority of these women are the center of their families, responsible for their stability, often neglecting their self-care.
They also participated in an activity to commemorate International Women’s Day at the Civic Center of Santa Cruz, where they attended various informative panels and a yoga class.
On March 8th, in coordination with the Violence Prevention Network of Santa Cruz, a Health Fair was organized in the 27 de abril community, addressing topics for the prevention of different forms of violence against women and their overall health, including breast cancer prevention and sexual and reproductive health. We appreciate the participation of the psychology team and the students from Latina University under the guidance of Professor Cindy Gutierrez.

Entrepreneurs

We started the year with high expectations to provide more personalized support to the entrepreneurs who participated in the training workshops in 2023, so they can apply what they’ve learned according to each case. To achieve this, Tricia Araya has joined our team, bringing vast experience working with women entrepreneurs. Alongside her are Elizabeth Du Bois, a Belgian volunteer conducting her thesis, and Stephanie Lippens, an anthropologist, also a Belgian volunteer.
To date, two more entrepreneurs have received donations to strengthen their ventures. Doña Corina received a slow cooker and a fryer, while Jennifer received a sewing machine.
In April, we will kick off the 2024 training program, starting with an assessment of the businesses of the women joining the project, followed by a workshop focusing on enhancing communication skills and life skills.

Community Center Huacas

Creative Workshops

Thanks to intern Enna Angervuori, a social work student from Finland with experience in theatrical pedagogy and community music, creative workshops have been organized at the Care Center. These workshops utilize methods of dramatic education to address topics related to self-esteem. With the young participants, aspects of radio theater are explored, as well as storytelling using a traditional narrative framework.

Additionally, Enna has organized music workshops where she has utilized figure notes, developed in Finland. With this method, anyone can quickly start playing music on different instruments.
The children wanted to play the traditional song “Caña Dulce” with the lyre, and they presented it at the parents’ activity on March 22nd.

Additionally, she brought an innovative instrument from Finland called “Boomwhacker pipes,” which the children have been practicing with. The children are very enthusiastic, and it has been a pleasure to realize that playing together has developed their skills of patience, concentration, goal-oriented practice, and listening to each other. The joy of success has been palpable!

Literacy

Literacy is a challenging subject for many children and young people. Learning to connect letters with sounds and words with meanings can be a challenge. Practicing it quickly can be frustrating and boring, especially if they never learned how wonderful it is to read!

For this reason, our volunteer Katharine Keller started reading stories with the preschool group at CIDAI, to address the problem from the foundation and to ensure that children enjoy the pleasure of reading and the exciting world that stories hold, something they can later do themselves.

In the afternoons, story reading circles are formed, and they travel with their imagination to different places to meet new and fun characters. They also learn tips and positive things to share with others and their families through Aesop’s fables.

In the afternoons, we form story reading circles where participants embark on imaginative journeys to various places, meeting new and delightful characters along the way. Through Aesop’s fables, the children are entertained but also learn valuable tips and positive messages that can be shared with others and families. Reading opens doors to wonderful worlds and sometimes helps escape for a while from the difficult situations of everyday life.

Children really enjoy being read to. We invite you to be part of this initiative in our Care Center. There are many children who have not had the experience of being told stories, and we’d like to change that! Katharine mentions: “I hope that this way, I can provide a different opportunity in this area and that it will be motivating for them to learn to read and write.”

Atelier

The “Atelier” Project, at the CEPIA Care Center, is a space where activities are offered to promote children’s creativity and innovation. They play with the “100 languages,” inspired by the pedagogue Loris Malaguzzi, and are provided with tools, materials, and opportunities to express themselves and learn in different ways.

Additionally, we have built a sensory wall, which aims primarily at entertainment and multisensory stimulation, especially for those children with different abilities.

The play area is very important for children’s social development. Here, they can interact with classmates from different classrooms, learn to manage frustrations, handle anger, and share.. We have recently installed new games to offer them more alternatives for sharing and playing, enhancing their overall experience.

All of this would not be possible without the support of our volunteers: Micaela Ribeiro, Stephanie Lippens, Camille Kindt, Katharina Keller, Vanessa Reich, Enna Angervuori, Paola Hassoun, Elizabeth du Boi, Janina Powoden, who enrich our proposals with the love and dedication they put into everything they do. Thank you very much!

Parents Meeting

On March 22nd, a Meeting/Museum was held for mothers and fathers. It was a space where participation and communication between parents and their children were encouraged through games and creative and fun activities.
The children had a musical presentation with the lyre, and in each classroom, they painted a mural with their parents.
It was a beautiful experience to see them sharing and enjoying a different space together. Later, each child took their parent to visit their workplaces and tell them what they learned during this quarter and show them some of the products and results they achieved during this period. It was a very enjoyable afternoon!

Professional Training and Employability Program

During the first three months of the year, the Professional Training program for adults has initiated 10 courses, including Air Conditioning Maintenance, Basic Shipboard Operations (Boatwork), Basic English, Intermediate English, Computing, and Food Handling.
Our program focuses on offering training that allows students to acquire the necessary skills to enter the job market and thus improve their quality of life and that of their families.

The courses are facilitated by teachers from CEPIA and volunteers, as well as instructors from the National Institute of Learning (INA).

In addition to developing new courses, over the course of these three months, 4 groups from INA that started in 2023 have completed their training; these correspond to Computing and English from the Bartenders Program.

In the field of Employability, our WhatsApp group continues to grow, currently with 120 members. Both the Program Coordinator and active participants share job opportunities in this group. Additionally, our resume creation service is open and available to the community.We express our gratitude to the donors and volunteers who play a crucial role in the program. Special mention to John & Donna Sommer and Ted Alexander. Richard Ramírez, Linnea Husser, Karen Sheppard, Francesca Sheppard, and the Degaris family.
We also want to express our deep admiration for the dedication and hard work of the teachers from CEPIA and INA. Lastly, we thank the organizations and companies that have made the program’s actions possible in the last three months: National Institute of Learning, Huacas Integral Development Association, and Rosetta Stone.

Integral and Cultural Education Playa Brasilito

During the months of January and February, we were busy providing tutoring and leveling sessions to the children of the Brasilito school, covering from second to sixth grade. It is so gratifying to see their progress!
Since January, we have resumed the Women’s Circle sessions! To date, we have held 6 sessions delving into important topics such as mental and physical health, self-care, and our community. We explored topics such as how to address menopause and our self-perception in society. Thank you to all the women who participated and shared their experiences!
In March, we restarted extracurricular activities, including art and music classes. We are innovating with choir-style singing accompanied by ukuleles and percussion. We are excited to witness the creativity of our children! We still have available spaces, so if you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us via WhatsApp at 8797 9760.

In addition, thanks to the generous donation from Flamingo Marina, we have begun acquiring sports materials for the soon-to-open pickleball, soccer, and surfing clubs. We are eager to see our children enjoy these activities!
We want to express our deep gratitude to all who have contributed to making these advancements possible. We especially thank Maureen Navarro for her collaboration in the Brasilito Women’s Circle, as well as Misorly Hidalgo from Unalome Yoga Studio and Dr. Kathlen Gómez, an obstetrician-gynecologist from the Integral Women’s Center, and Luisa Reyes for facilitating these enriching sessions. We also want to recognize Good Vibes Rockschool, especially Professor Gabriel Valverde, for his dedication in music classes.

Strengthening Playa Grande School

From January to the first week of February, individualized tutoring sessions were implemented for children at different educational levels of Basic General Education (I and II cycles). The purpose of these tutoring sessions is to provide academic and motivational support to students facing difficulties in their academic performance, including students who require specialized attention to overcome obstacles, reach their full academic potential, and foster their academic success.
Approximately 180 hours of classes were taught, benefiting around 30 students from different educational centers in the coastal area, such as Huacas, Matapalo, La Garita Vieja, and Villarreal. Additionally, 12 students requiring educational reinforcement within the Comprehensive Childcare Center were attended to, aiming to strengthen their educational development.

It is important to note that, starting from the second week of February at Playa Grande School, the socio-educational strengthening project has continued. This project aims to promote effective study skills and habits of independent work through group and individual tutoring sessions, motivate and empower students to take responsibility for their own learning, and develop study skills and autonomy in learning. The project is implemented with students in the II cycle of Basic General Education, aged between 10, 11, and 12 years old.

Comprehensive Daycare Center CIDAI

The comprehensive daycare program received 112 minors, who attend Monday to Friday from 7 am to 4 pm, ranging in age from 2 to 17 years old. Here, they receive care, education, health services, recreation, and professional attention from psychology and social work, along with many daily activities that promote integral human development.
CEPIA’s pedagogical approach involves conducting project-based learning, taking into account the interests of minors. The theme of the life cycle has been initiated, wherein groups conduct research according to their abilities and questions, in addition to participating in creative activities.

In January, thanks to the subsidy provided by PANI, a recreational excursion to the Fantasía water park in Orotina was organized, attended by 111 minors, all very happy with this great activity.
In February, school-aged children joined the formal school cycle. Each of the 70 children received their school uniform and school supplies package, promoting the importance of compulsory and free education in the country.
During these months, diagnostic evaluations, developmental tests, and screenings were conducted with the help of nursing students from the Universidad Latina. The students also offered various workshops on health topics such as handwashing, tooth brushing, and body development, among others.
In March, the first workshop for caregivers was held, with an attendance of 24 people, on the topic “Violence has no gender,” led by CEPIA’s lawyer. Additionally, an educational excursion to Santa Rosa National Park was carried out as part of the celebration of the Battle of Santa Rosa, with a total of 30 participants.
Thanks to all the collaborators: Karla Marín Rodríguez, Heyling Larios Fonseca, Joselyn Mendoza Mendoza, Natasha Guerrero Rosales, Graciela Gómez Guevara, Francini Gutiérrez Sandoval, Ana Laura Zelaya Salazar, Eleana Alcocer Ramírez, Mikaela Riveiro, and Camilla Kindt.

Psychology and Holistic Health

The adult psychology program has continued to renew the external consulting room of CEPIA during the beginning of this year. The new space, located on the west side of the sports plaza in Huacas, in the pink building, is more spacious, bright, and also pet-friendly, which means that patients’ pets are warmly welcomed during their appointment.
During the months of January to March, psychological care was provided to 58 people. If you live in the coastal area of Santa Cruz, are in poverty conditions, and need psychological attention, you can write or send an audio message to the phone number 8933 0503.

Psychological Care for Children in Coastal Communities

During the first three months of the year 2024, psychological care was provided to 104 children along with their families in the external psychology service of the communities within CEPIA’s area of influence.
The most common reasons for consultation in this population included behavioral disorders, grief, depressive symptoms, among others. It is important to note that cases of behavioral difficulties were the most prevalent reason initially. This reflects the need to address topics such as positive discipline in parents, mothers, or caregivers through group therapy and provide tools to promote parenting based on love and respect. Additionally, an increase in cases of depressive symptoms and grief was observed during this quarter.

Currently, we have spaces for therapeutic yoga thanks to our volunteer Cathy Vanhabost, who offers individual sessions to work with adolescents and adults addressing various emotional and physical issues. In this trimester, 11 individuals have been attended to.

Three young people at high risk for suicidal behavior have been referred for the activation of protocols to the Local Instance for Comprehensive Suicide Risk Management (ILAIS of CCSS). Additionally, three minors have been referred to the social work and legal areas for interdisciplinary intervention. Furthermore, four minors with different neurodevelopmental conditions have been referred to the Girasoles group at CEPIA.

On March 8th, International Women’s Day, we celebrated alongside the 27 de Abril community, addressing various topics such as the prevention of gender-based violence and bullying, in collaboration with local educational institutions.

Psychological Care for Minors from the CIDAI Program (Daycare Center for Integral Care)

The “Let’s Talk About Menstruation” workshop has been implemented with girls in elementary school ages, allowing them to feel comfortable with their bodies and be more attentive to their health.

This space has allowed them to discuss their experiences free of prejudice, within a framework of empathy and respect, fostering their self-esteem and strengthening bonds of sisterhood. It also helps them become aware of the changes their bodies undergo, promoting acceptance, and recognizing menstruation as a fundamental part of their bodies and of being a girl and a woman.

On the other hand, we have managed and coordinated the intervention of the National Board for Childhood due to a case of parental negligence and a case of alleged sexual abuse, with the aim of ensuring the protection and fulfillment of the rights of our children.

We have conducted 11 assessments for admission to the CIDAI program, through which we have been able to identify risk factors and protective factors in the family nucleus. A total of 49 children and adolescents have been attended to, with the main reasons for consultation being behavioral disorders, hypersexualized behavior, and depressive symptoms. Additionally, psychological care has been provided to 2 children from the internal program: the volunteer women’s cleaning committee.

We appreciate the voluntary collaboration of Attorney Ariana Guido Ajún, who has provided the talk “Violence Has No Gender” aimed at the parents of the CIDAI program. We also thank the nursing students from the Universidad Latina for their valuable collaboration in the workshop for children on the safe use of social media.

Youth Group

During this year, classes resumed with enthusiasm. In this trimester, the students have had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of educational activities, including art, music, english, computer science, sports, meditation, and body movement. All of this has been possible thanks to the dedicated teachers who have worked tirelessly.

During this first trimester, 9 out of the 20 young people in the group were accompanied in their reintegration into the formal education system, which is an important element within the program.
The groups also had the opportunity to participate in the Summer Camp organized by the extracurricular program, which took place in the El Llano. The teens were in charge of activities for the children.

Furthermore, a workshop on jewelry crafting and life project development was organized for the youth group participants in coordination with the Civic Center for Peace in Santa Cruz
Two volunteer days were also organized in partnership with Bosque Azul of the Clean Wave Association, Tamarindo, and at Apami Rescue Center by .Monkey Park Foundation in Portegolpe.
Finally, as part of the celebration of March 20th, a tour to Santa Rosa National Park was organized. We appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers who have contributed to the progress of the youth group.

OUR SPONSORS

WHALE Donors

Redekop Family Fund
Reserva Conchal
BOMBA Huacas
Gig Kaplan
Villa SOSE
Las Ventanas de Playa Grande
Todd & Mary Heistand Family Foundation
Troper Wojcicki Foundation
Jon & Lisa Reichlin
Jodi Gallant & Stuart Sheldon
John & Donna Sommer
FRAME projects
Bart Van Vooren
Martyn, Debi & Grace Hoffmann
Daley Family Fund
Leschly Family Fund
Ted Alexander
Huifen & Kirk Dunn
VOLO foundation
Automercado
Marlin del Rey
Marina Flamingo Foundation
SYNLAW
Hyde Park School
Hellen & Will Hoeg
Nick Alers
Jorge Alers
Las Catalinas
Morris Family Charitable Foundation
James & Jean Scheman
Junta de Protección Social, IMAS, PANI

Thank you SHARKS!

Charleen Jordan
The Palmer Company
John-Zhao Roberts & Qing Zhao
Victoria Manes
Laura Mooney
Kevin Herman
Robin Berger
Martin Salermo
Massai supermercado
KRC DEVELOPMENT LLC
Rivera del Mar Azul
Bookstore Waves
Beachman Bikes
Christie’s International Properties
Witch’s Rock Surf Camp
Studio ALTO
Taylor Portman
Uniform Advantage CR S.R.L.

Thank you DOLPHINS!

Jill Knouse
Stephane Boivin
Chandra Champion
Margo Wilson
Daniel Beutler
Ronnie Jarolimek
Natalie Maclsaac
Tropical vacations corp
Brad Cooper
Austin Community Foundation
Tabitha Cromer
Bruce Reinhart
William Willis
Henry Jessup and Sydney Smith
Avery Vorkwerk
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Access electrical contractors inc
Practice sports inc
Alice Friedenson
Portia Migas
Dzing Wu
Matthe Floyd
Hero Academy
El Chante
Rip Jack Inn
Grande Real State
Sheila Hoy
Geldstuck S.A
Robert Januikt
Altos de Eros Hotel
Capitan Suizo
Catalina Cove
The Palms
Ocean Surf and Sun Int Realty
Robert Smith
Zucker, Odio & Raven Attorneys
Nautica Brasilito Beach
SPG Holding Corporation
Dona Doschack
Gasolinera JSM
La Paz Community School
Dona Doshack
Greg Host
Jany Helene Cex
Ojos Del Mar
Good Vibes Rock School
Elevate Movement Studio
Nathan Hurst
Hotel Seis Playas
Laboratorio Navarro Alpizar

We also thank:

Soul Space Retreats,Ronnie Jarolimek,Natalie Maclsaac,Matthew Floyd,Lori Leon,Gene Novak, Alex Lago

Special thanks to Isabel Schraeder for the translation of this newsletter!

Thank you for your material donations (Gracias por sus donaciones materiales):

Carolina Garros Calvo, Elizabeth Sandoval Sauter, Gabriela Garbanzo, Patrick Alla, Ingrid Vallejos Gonzalez, Jasmine Bertschy, Jose Antonio, Lena Gertsch, Beth Dave Denler, John Duncan, Christine Parrot, Erin Civello, Devin Zepeda, Nathan Hulst, Martha Sanchez, Sarah Spellmann, Cristian Ortiz Carmona,Sabrina Dawst, Vale Monti,
Albert Barquero Monge, Carly Caprio, Colinda Chambers, Leanne Johnston, Heiling Larios Fonseca, Pat Strus, Carrie Brown, Marianela Solano Quiros, Kelli Hryhirchuk, Danielle Hollander, Patricia Strus, Jungle Luxe, Marianela Solano, Lauren Johnson, Jose Murillo Saborio, Jorge Gutierrez C, Sebastian, Karen Viviana Marin, Kristi Riley,
Jessenia Rodriguez.