Costa Rica Ministry Site Descriptions

Check out Cost Rica’s blog for site descriptions, dress code, and suggested donations - http://sicostarica.blogspot.com

Woodshop Site Leader: Daniel Calderon Guys & Girls

The Woodshop is a dynamic ministry located on the edge of . It is targeted towards at-risk boys and young men. Many of the shop’s apprentices come from difficult family situations, and are daily faced with tough decisions about drugs, girlfriends, and dropping out of school. Coming and learning carpentry and basic woodworking skills gives these guys an alternative to the many negative influences on their lives. Bible studies and mentoring, both formal and informal, are a vital part of this program. SI outreach participants will have the opportunity to assist in various wood projects and work alongside apprentices in larger projects such as building furniture. No woodworking experience is needed to serve at this ministry site. Learn more about how Students International is ministering in .

Education Site Leader: Jose Malespin Lazo Guys & Girls

Children come to receive help with their homework and to study for exams at SI’s Education site, the Tutoring Center, located in the Casa Verde in Los Guido, a community of around 40,000 people. In addition to homework help, kids can come for art classes, baking, library time, a Girls Club and a bicycle club. There is also an English class for adolescent boys. Woven into the make up of the Tutoring Center is a strong desire to teach kids that God has dreams and good plans for their lives. Outreach participants will assist in all of the activities of the Center. They will have opportunities to work with school age children to develop their learning abilities and their knowledge of God. They will demonstrate Christ’s love by their patience and attentiveness.

Micro-Enterprise Site Leader: Cindy Arias and Diana Guys & Girls

This dynamic site works with groups of women in the three communities of Los Guido, La Capri, and Las Fuentes. These groups serve as a platform for teaching basic business principles such as: writing a business plan, writing and keeping a budget, accounting, marketing, etc. This site works with women to help them secure small business loans in order to launch and/or grow their various small businesses. This Women’s Social Work / Micro-business site also includes an English class for the ladies one day a week, and a support group for teenage girls, providing discipleship, education, and support especially in the areas of relationships, pregnancy, and parenting. The hope of this site is to see lives and families transformed as women discover their value and identity in Christ, receive love and support as they reach personal and business goals, and to provide a safe community for women who may otherwise be isolated.

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Social Services Site Leader: Cailah Pritchard & Juan Centeno Guys & Girls

The Social Services ministry is located in Las Fuentes, a small community made up of mostly Nicaraguan immigrant families, in . This is a multi-faceted ministry that has partnered with a local church and community center to offer a variety of activities for children, youth and their families to become involved in. Activities include: tutoring and practicing English, crafts, bible lessons, table games, various sports and recreational activities, and aerobics classes with women. Each day at the Social Services site holds something different, and outreach participants will work alongside SI staff in all of its activities, ministering and demonstrating God’s love through the giving of their time and presence.

Sports and Recreation Site Leader: Rafael Thompson and Jessica Rybaczyk Guys & Girls

The Sports and Recreation ministry in Costa Rica works with children and youth and rotates among the three communities of Los Guido, La Capri and Las Fuentes. This site incorporates a variety of recreational activities with the goal of teaching and mentoring, and ultimately seeing the lives of young people changed for Christ. The most popular sport is soccer, but we also integrate everything from basketball, volleyball, baseball, and general fitness to Ping-Pong! One day a week, boys attend a bicycle club, where they earn bike parts and learn to do repairs by working on their own bicycles, but also by fixing bikes for others. Outreach participants will build relationships while playing sports, assisting in coaching exercises, and participating in devotionals with the various groups of children and youth.

Special Education Site Leader: Norma Rayo Guys & Girls

The Special Education ministry site partners with the elementary school in La Capri. In the education system in Costa Rica there are numerous children who need a little extra assistance in school, but do not qualify for the special education programs for a variety of reasons. These children often slip through the cracks as they pass from grade to grade in the regular classroom, often not learning much. Since they are in the regular classroom the teachers are not able to give them the attention they need. The special education site works with these students one-on-one or in small groups to help them succeed in school often focusing on literacy, math, and life skills. Outreach participants will assist in working with these children providing individualized attention and being a tangible expression of God’s love for them.

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