ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

DONATE:
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I welcome you to show YOUR appreciation for my efforts!
ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
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Friday, July 30, 2010

Gail Nystrom's Costa Rica Humanitarian Foundation Update - July 2010


July 2010
Gail Nystrom's 
COSTA RICAN HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION 
UPDATE

Here's the latest/July 2010 update/list of  
THINGS GAIL NYSTROM with the
Costa Rican HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION 
can USE HELP WITH:

The Humanitarian Foundation is in the last month of their busiest time of the year with their Summer Volunteers who have been busy refurbishing houses, fixing streets, making Gail an office in La Carpio, helping sick people, working in Puerto Viejo de Limon fixing up the Children’s Center and the Elementary School and LOTS MORE!!!

Thanx to Jeff Fischer who donated a computer that is being used for teaching the older children and women.  He’s doing a program called 
Got You Covered” which is 
COLLECTING USED BEDDING
for CRHF's Bunk Bed Program 
so they could use 
Twin Sheets (or any size), blankets and pillows.  
Donations can be dropped off in
Escazu - Gracias Costa Rica’s location in Escazu (8-378-6679) 
or contact Gail.

Jeff also donated a Video Camera so they’ll be creating different projects.

They have a PR person that they got a good deal on but they still need 2 airline tickets - airline tickets from Chicago.  PERHAPS YOU HAVE A SURPLUS OF FREQUENT FLIER MILES YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE!!  NO COST TO YOU!!!  They could use some assistance on the expense of him staying with a Host Tico Family (who will provide all his meals as well ($400 x 2 months) x 2 (homestay lady), or towards his $1000 fee.  Want to see them grow / more good spread - HELP!!!


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ON-GOING
JOIN THE CRHF's FACEBOOK GROUP:  


TRANSLATION HELP NEEDS:
WRITTEN - English to SPANISH (or just compiling it in Spanish]):
RECIPES of cheap, easy, yet healthy foods (including some vegetarian options).
and
NATURAL HOMEMADE CLEANING PRODUCTS (Google them on the internet)???!!!!  This way it's healthier (especially when you have kids playing on the floor) AND cheaper AND BETTER for the environment!!

(Don’t have time to create a whole list but have some good recipes?  Email me/Vicki these separately and I’ll pass them on - CostaRicaResourceGuide@gmail.com)


MEDICINE / MEDICAL SUPPLIES:
They are ALWAYS in need of ALL types (including used) of medical supplies / medicine (non-expired and including vitamins, etc.)


SHOES:
They are ALWAYS in need of Shoes (used and new - ALL types)


CLEANING PRODUCTS:
Basic Cleaning Supplies (both in bulk as well as family size):  Liquid floor cleaner/disinfectants (NOT the nasty smelling stuff), toilet cleaners, laundry detergent, liquid or bar soap, dishwashing paste, cleaning cloths (like for mops)  sponges.  The products or cash donation to go towards that would be appreciated.


BASIC FOOD STAPLES:
It seems there’s always a need here - whether it’s Gail feeding the kids in the Montessori school, various events/projects or families in need.
The basics - vegetable oil, rice, beans, canned tuna w/veges, canned tomatoes, dried milk, sugar, salt+++
Unfortunately her WONDERFUL Food Bank has been put on hold because of lack of funds!!!


MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN LA CARPIO:
Their Montessori school is a huge success to the point they’re having 2 groups - kindergarten, maternal and they now have a waiting list (isn't it AMAZING these parents have as they MUST come up each month with 140,000-c for this program and they are!!  These are the poorest of the poor people!) and they can accept more kids BUT first they NEED MORE STAFF (VOLUNTEERS willing to COMMIT on an ongoing basis) from 8:30-noon to help work with the kids with teaching, singing songs, outings, feedings, changing, play - wherever you can help!!  It IS CRUCIAL that you MUST MUST MUST speak GOOD Spanish!!!!


DO YOU ALREADY KNOW GARDENING IN COSTA RICA?
They will trade someone a free night accommodation and 2 simple Tico meals to someone that ALREADY understands the area and can advise them on what veges, plants, trees thrives in the Turrucares area.


RENT A CONDO IN PLAYA GRANDE:
Diana will donate 50% of the rental price to CRHF if you rent her 3-bedroom condos in Playa Grande - http://VillasCostaGrande.com


DONATE MONEY:
Cash donations are ALWAYS needed!!!  All money donations can be deposited with ease by going to any branch of Scotia Bank into their “Fundacion de Humanitaria" charity account (yes - it's just 4 numbers):
DOLLAR DONATIONS:  1297
COLON DONATIONS:  1298
After you’ve made a donation, PLEASE email her to let her know - GNystrom@racsa.co.cr (for her records).
Unfortunately at this time she is not set up to receive international donations but it’s in the works.


Other ideas????

Gail says 
"Thanks for your support"


CONTACT:
If you can help, know of anyone that can help - please contact Gail at 
GNystrom@racsa.co.cr  /  8-390-4192   /  http://CRHF.org
(from the U.S. - 011-506-8-390-4192 [note that if you don't have an international plan that INCLUDES Costa Rica which is RARE - this call could easily cost you $2-$2.50 per MINUTE)


(I welcome you to share this info with your peeps!!)


3 comments:

Mary Beer said...

So nice to read that you have not forgotten about Pro-nino Gail and have sent volunteers down to help fix up the centre a bit. Also good to hear that your Humanitarian Foundation is going from strength to strength but then knowing you I never doubted it would. love Mary Beer

A Gay Guide to Costa Rica said...

Perry - I forwarded to your note Gail & she is REALLY EXCITED to reconnect with you!!!! Please e- her directly at GNystrom@racsa.co.cr or call her at 8-390-4192!!

Anonymous said...

Wow- I was just cruising through the internet tonight trying to find a connection to Mel and Sally from Puerto Limon circa 1985- I lived with them in Punta Uva when I visited an old boyfriend and PCV Marco Lowenstein. Mel is a biologist/farmer and Sally was an artist. Do you know anything about them now? I am thinking of taking my daughter back there this fall although you are right- the old Puerto Viejo with the washed out roads and two restaurnants is no longer there to show her. Paul and Zoila= do you remember them? Kallie (RPCV Guatemala)- kallie@igc.org