Costa Rica rural community support fund

The "Food Security for the Osa Community" project, led by the Corcovado Foundation, is dedicated to providing essential assistance to vulnerable individuals in the Osa region, particularly those facing extreme poverty and neglect.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the dire circumstances faced by many older individuals and those with disabilities in the Osa community. Even prior to the pandemic, these individuals were living in abandoned conditions, lacking adequate care and support. The Foundation recognized the urgent need to address food insecurity and provide ongoing assistance to those most marginalized in the community.

In 2023, the Foundation continued its unwavering dedication to supporting those in extreme need. Seventeen individuals living in abandoned conditions were prioritized, and a total of 221 food packages were delivered from January to December 2023. This ongoing effort has been made possible through the dedicated work of Mayra, our Local Liaison, who has played a pivotal role in identifying and reaching out to elderly and disabled individuals living in extreme poverty in isolated areas such as Drake Bay.

As we strive to sustain our effort of providing essential food assistance to those in extreme need, we are faced with a critical funding shortfall. With only $1700 remaining, we are at risk of being unable to continue this vital effort. The cost of providing food assistance alone amounts to approximately $40 per person, excluding transportation expenses to reach isolated areas and the invaluable work of Mayra.

Mayra has been very committed to helping as many people as possible.  Under her leadership, the foundation has helped many people.  A month ago, Mayra assembled a group of volunteers to help fix Victoria's house.  Victoria is a 67-year-old lady, who is afflicted with several illnesses and is living alone without any support whatsoever.   Her house has leaks, her toilet doesn’t work, and her wooden walls are rotten and full of holes.   With the help of local people, Mayra led an effort to fix the house and make it more appropriate to live in.  These small acts of kindness make a huge difference among the local senior population in Drake Bay.  People who are no longer able to work, and that live isolated miles from stores or health services.

Your support is urgently needed to ensure that we can continue our mission of bringing essential relief to those who need it the most. By contributing to our GlobalGiving project (ID: 10748), you can directly impact the lives of vulnerable individuals in the Osa community and help us sustain our efforts to provide ongoing support and assistance.

Your generosity will enable us to continue providing essential food assistance and support to those living in extreme poverty, allowing them to maintain a sense of dignity and well-being. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those most in need.

For the past three years, we, the Corcovado Foundation, have been a source of hope and support for the elderly and underserved families in the Osa Peninsula. Since the onset of the pandemic, our team has been humbly dedicated to delivering essential food packages to those most in need. This past year, amidst the challenges and uncertainties, we distributed 179 packages, providing vital sustenance to the most forgotten members of our community.

The Osa Peninsula, heavily reliant on tourism, faced unprecedented hardships during these trying times. In response, our efforts were refocused, and our resources were marshaled to ensure that the most vulnerable, particularly the elderly, received the desperately required assistance. It has been a journey of humility and solidarity, and we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in this manner.

The impact of our efforts has been profound, offering sustenance and a lifeline of hope and solidarity to those facing the greatest hardships. As the world navigates through these challenging times, the Corcovado Foundation's steadfast support has exemplified the power of compassion and community, serving as a source of strength and resilience for the Osa Peninsula.

Our mission as the Corcovado Foundation is deeply rooted in strengthening protected wild areas, promoting environmental education, sustainable tourism, and community participation through the sustainable use of natural resources in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica. We are committed to continuing our humble efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve, and we are profoundly thankful for the support and opportunity to serve our community.