One for One Program

 

The Problem

Thousands of indigenous families inhabit the remote indigenous reserves of Costa Rica. Children of these reserves walk miles to the public schools through terrain that would challenge the most seasoned hiker. They lack adequate access to healthy foods and proper clothing. Their parents lack the means to buy books and supplies.

Even though public education is free in Costa Rica, there are mandatory costs of attending a public school for things such as shoes, uniforms, books, supplies, and class photographs. According to El Puente, an organization that assists indigenous families in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean zone, the "start-up" expenses total more than $156 per child, with ongoing expenses of nearly $2.25 per week, to include breakfast/lunch and copy charges for exams.

How We Help Solve It

Through a venture known as Costa Rican Artisans, I have been working with indigenous groups to provide a market to the outside world of their arts and crafts. Looking to the model of other companies, such as Toms Shoes, I decided to adopt a One for One model for Package Costa Rica, my Costa Rica Vacation consulting company. One for One means just what it says, that for every vacation package we sell, we will support an indigenous child in school for one year, One for One.

How the Program is Administered

We administer our One for One program through our partnership with El Puente. Each February funds are disbursed to purchase necessary supplies for each indigenous child supported to start to school. We also dedicate a portion of the funds to ongoing support, such as El Puente’s Food Distribution program. We track every dollar spent and feature a downloadable Giving Report that is updated each year with profiles of each child supported by our efforts.

What This Means to Us (and to You)

I believe that the purpose of sustainable action is facilitating the endurance and growth of people and planet. I love Costa Rica and by helping the indigenous of this country get a better education, I feel that I am giving back to a place that has given so much to me in a sustainable way. Through this One for One program, you can have the joy of knowing that a portion of your vacation price went to an important sustainable cause in Costa Rica and is making a valuable difference in the life of an indigenous child.

Current Giving Report