Fresh from the Field: Costa Rica
In February, José Luis Zárate visited the Rural Children’s Education Foundation (FHC) in Costa Rica. He was accompanied by Kelly Kowalski, a videographer who documented FHC’s work for a production that will be screened at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s (SCAA) 2010 Expo in Anaheim.
Despite its strong tourist industry, Costa Rica faces acute poverty in the rural areas where coffee is grown. Thanks to FHC’s innovative scholarship program, over 2,600 students in coffee-farming areas have continued their education. During the trip, Zárate and Kowalski interviewed students and members of various cooperatives who contribute to FHC’s efforts.
“Many of the students have returned to their communities after completing their studies. Some of them occupy director positions, two of them are managers of their cooperatives,” Zárate said. “But the biggest contribution is that this project strengthens the community from within.”
In the past, Coffee Kids provided 50 percent of the scholarships and local cooperatives paid the balance. Two years ago they formed an agreement with the government, which would provide the scholarships in exchange for a financial guarantee from FHC.
“We began this project about eight years ago here at the Cooperative Llano Bonito. There has been a big change in the students and in the community as we see youngsters who received FHC scholarships who are now professionals,” said Jorge Ortiz, of the Llano Bonito Cooperative Education Committee. “In the past it was difficult, but now there is the possibility of continuing your studies at the secondary and university level.”
The FHC model has been used to create similar programs in Nicaragua and serves as a model for education throughout Costa Rica. Coffee Kids is proud to announce the graduation of FHC, which has successfully built a sustainable model for providing educational opportunities. FHC will continue to work with Coffee Kids as a consultant for other groups that would like to set up similar programs in coffee-farming communities.
Check out photos from the most recent trip on Coffee Kids’ Flickr page.