Costa Rica
We are serving Nicaraguan refugee families in La Carpio slum. Within this slum is Las Gradas, cliffside slum with a polluted river at the bottom. It is inaccessible by car and named for the 125 steps that are surrounded by makeshift homes.
It was formed in the 1990s on the outskirts of San José, surrounded by polluted rivers and a garbage dump. Today it occupies 155 acres and has about 52,000 inhabitants – largely Nicaraguans who have fled turmoil in their home country. They live in extreme poverty but are working hard to make a life for their families. One of the largest concerns for the community is sexual abuse, which most children and their mothers have experienced in one form or another. Drug and alcohol abuse, gang activity, and prostitution are also common problems faced.
The families work in coffee farms across the river and carry their children across the dangerous river as they go to work each day.
Next to this river is Las Gradas Betel (CFCI-CR), where CoLaboradores Internacionales missionaries serve providing services to the women and children including basic education, emotional intelligence/ mental wellness groups, counseling services, food, hygiene, arts and crafts activities, and vocational training in sewing, “Sewing Hope” / Cosiendo Esperanzas”, to the parents. When available, products made by women can be purchased here.
This locally-led effort was founded by Marielos, a Costa Rican therapist. She also runs “Living Waters” / “Agua Viva”. Staff members grew up in the community, once in the same place as these children. This is where hope lives and the rebirth of a community is happening.
STATISTICS:
More than 350,000 Nicaraguan refugees live in Costa Rica, which is 80% of the foreign population there.
Since 2018, Costa Rica has received over 77,000 refugee applications from Nicaraguans that were fleeing violence and persecution.
Few resources are available to shelter and provide food to new asylum seekers.
During 2020, 47% of Nicaraguans in Costa Rica were living in poverty. More than three-quarters of which could only eat only once a day.
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GET INVOLVED:
1) Intern in your field of study.
2) Offer a training in your area of expertise to help this community.
3) Do a short term service trip with your group/church
4) Sponsor a child to our annual nature camp “Encuentro”.
5) Donate – give one time or recurring:
Or, mail a check made out to “CoLaborers International” and write “Costa Rica” on the memo. Mail to PO Box 959 Chestertown MD 21620.
SUPPORT MARY!
We work alongside local leaders, like Mary, in Costa Rica. Mary was born and raised in the same impoverished community she now serves in. As a young person she was impacted by Marielos’ ministry of Las Gradas Betel (CFCI-CR) to provide a safe place for children to learn, play, eat, share feelings, make friends and learn about the love of Jesus Christ. For the last several years she has been serving there. and now missionaries Frank and Brittany work alongside her. Mary uses arts and crafts to teach the children. She would love to study psychology at the university to be able to also help meet the emotional needs of the children in this loving immigrant community that faces so many challenges. Please donate for her here:
SUPPORT CARLOS!
We work alongside local leaders, like Carlos, in Costa Rica. He has the lived experience to understand where the children are coming from. Carlos is from Nicaragua and has been living in La Carpio for 15 years. For the last 5 years, he has been serving in an even more needy community within La Carpio called Las Gradas (meaning “the stairs” as it is built on a cliffside). God spoke to his heart about the potential of these children. He is an electric technician and carpenter by trade but spends the majority of his time serving the children there – using music, arts, and activities to teach the bible to them. Please donate so he can continue to serve:
