by Hileyn | Oct 30, 2021
The Costa Rican rural area of the Nicoya Peninsula, presents many problems with respect to literacy and accessibility to information. It is for this cause that we started with the project of a community library, where the doors will be opened to the people of the Nicoya Peninsula. Last April we requested the help of hundreds of people for the donation of $ 5,000, what excites us is that we managed to exceed the proposed goal.
We proposed the purchase of Spanish language material, due to the fact that 80% of our library’s total bibliographic collection is in Spanish. Thinking of obtaining hundreds of books for elementary school and being able to offer a better children’s collection, we went to second hand bookstores, where we obtained great literary works of excellent publishing houses at very low prices such as Barco de Vapor, Torre de Papel, among others. We obtained great literary pieces for elementary school. We did not leave behind Costa Rican literature, in the Editorial de Costa Rica, we acquired brand new books, all the literature that the Ministry of Public Education suggests for school ages and we also got several titles for the smallest of collections with beautiful illustrations, which will catch more than one in the reading.
Thinking about the satisfaction of our teenagers, we moved on to the discounts that were found in the International Bookstore on manga, anime and youth series, more than 10 titles of these genres, which already have a waiting list in the library to be read. The youngest preschoolers were not left behind, in each of the purchases there were always books for them, but they needed a lot of love so we went to a store specializing in babies, BamoBam, and bought literary gems with the right material for their age as well as being interactive books that they needed and so authors like Eric Carle are available for these ages. Between all the book purchases, $1,400 was allocated.
In order to organize the purchase of all new acquisitions and the more than 8,000 copies that the library owns, the Destiny Follet cataloging system was installed. This system is used by the best school libraries around the world, where it is a complete library management system that can be accessed from anywhere, 24/7, which helps to strengthen the crucial link between the library, the classroom and the home. The first phase is ready, which is the creation of the online platform and user login. Now the most difficult part of the job remains, cataloging and entering each of our copies online. If you want to see how the page is looking click here. Soon it will be 100% ready for online booking. The purchase of $1,431 plus the purchase of a code scanner for $175.
The aesthetics and comfort of our current and future library users is not left behind, we have invested in the remodeling of the space with the purchase of new puff chairs for the different libraries, replacing the old ones that were in very bad condition. New shelves have been created that are more accessible to children. This is to create a more friendly and attractive space for all those who come to our facilities. Technology is not far behind and for the events that the library will hold, two new microphones were purchased.
All these advances in our project were made with the help of each of the donors and the people of Futuro Verde and Cóbano are grateful for every grain of sand received from people full of love for a better future for the community.
With hard work, it is expected that the goal of creating a community library in rural Costa Rica, can open its doors in November 2021.
by Hileyn | Oct 1, 2021
In the Peninsula sector, especially in the area of Paquera, Tambor, Cóbano, Montezuma, Santa Teresa and surrounding areas where there are more than seven thousand people, access to information is scarce due to the lack of libraries in the area, both public and private, Attempts have been made by the municipality to create a library in the area, but with results that ended up closing its doors in the short time it was open and the nearest public library is more than 100 kilometers away.
This literacy problem is accompanied by the problem of poverty, according to INEC in 2020 ”the Central Pacific region is the one with the highest level of poverty and extreme poverty with 34.7% and 11.3% respectively”. This raises social alarms to extreme levels, and the need to do something to help the community to overcome this socio economic crisis.
With the renovation project of the library space, a computer lab, conference rooms, 8,000,000 physical books and a database, and trained personnel, the first community library is planned to meet the needs of the nearby population.
In November, the pilot plan for the community library will begin, working hand in hand with different governmental and private organizations, including the National Women’s Institute (INA), COPROBRI, and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN).
We will be working with approximately 25 families, who are already in different social programs in the area, offering workshops for children in literature, arts and languages, financial, computer, cooking and language training for women heads of household.
All activities go hand in hand with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which propose ”global goals to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda” (UN).
Scholarships of up to 100% will be given to low-income people and they will have the priority of attention in each of the opportunities, in addition to a volunteer opportunity.
We need all the help possible for this social action project to achieve the expected success for the whole community, that is why if you want to be part of this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact directly the person in charge biblioteca@futuro-verde.org
by Angie Briceño | Nov 30, 2020
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, many job sectors at the global and local level have suffered, some more than others. The educational sector has been no exception.
Since the beginning of this crisis in Costa Rica, schools and colleges have been called to close their doors and venture into the world of online learning to ensure continuity during this time of crisis. The educational sector, as well as others around the country, has been negatively affected since it depends on monthly tuition payments from students. We have seen a particularly severe impact since we live in a tourist area, and the tourism industry has also taken a hit, as well as the education sector.
Our families suffered economic loss, and as a community-oriented school we took on the challenge of offering responsible and professional discounts to the monthly tuition payments for those families that were seriously affected. That way, the students could continue their education during this time of constant change. It has not been an easy road, but we have tried our best as individuals and as an institution to ensure that students do not lose the educational opportunities or the holistic benefits of FV. Thanks to the constant work of the administration and teachers, as well as the support of parents, the board of directors and individual donors we have had along the way, not everything is bad news! We have been able to continue offering education, new programs to support the social-emotional development of the students, as well as encouraging physical movement and sports for the students.
The donations we received helped us to leverage our resources, materials, and facility improvements to implement the recreational center and welcome the students into a new program.
Fortunately, 2019 was a very favorable year in terms of the finances of the institution, which allowed us to weather this crisis and provided economic support for practically all of 2020 for the families that requested it.
2021 will be a different year, full of challenges and the search for financial stability. Our challenge will be to seek new income through donations and sponsorships as well as to find alternative benefits and incentives for our staff and student groups.
Summary of financial information for 2021
- The general assembly has approved a maximum 15% increase in monthly dues for the year 2021, with the commitment of the Board of Directors and administrative staff to work to decrease this increase.
- A financial committee was formed to evaluate new forms of income and improve finances.
- Early registration fee valid until December 1st
- New Family Fee (may be paid in installments during the 2021 school year)
- Monthly tuition payments can be paid in two installments (on the 5th and 17th of each month) upon request.
- If you refer a student you’ll get a 5% discount each month that the new student stays at the institution
- If you make your annuity payment in January you will get a 5% discount on that amount.
by Angie Briceño | Feb 26, 2020
What is CREW?
CREW is a special time when students in each grade meet with their CREW teacher to do various activities in order to develop empathy, a sense of belonging, and a connection with others. At Futuro Verde, we don’t have passengers, we are all members of a CREW. This special time happens twice a week: on Mondays during the first hour of school and on Fridays during the last hour of school.
During CREW time students from pre-k to 12th grade plan the details of their annual field trip: the destination, budget, fundraising plan, transportation, etc.
It is important to remember that the students are in charge of raising funds for their field trips. This activity brings them together and brings the focus away from any socio-economic differences of the students, while also making it easy on parents’ pockets.
In addition, this year each CREW group will choose a cause that they identify with and want to work on to create positive change.
How can you help?
Throughout the year, each CREW group will organize activities to raise money for their field trip and the cause they have chosen to support. Some of the fundraising activities include: school sodas (selling food), toy sales, bake sales, no-uniform day passes for students, raffles, movie nights, and other clever fundraisers invented by our students!
If you would like to help with our students’ CREW efforts, send a little extra money with your student so that he or she can enjoy the tasty snacks students sell at our soda (restaurant/ kiosk). We will have soda every day during the month of March except: March 2, 3, 5 and 30.
Students may also participate in the no-uniform day if they buy a ticket for ₡500. In March, we will have the following non-uniform days:
- March 13, to benefit 7th grade
- March 27, to benefit 9th grade
- March 30, to benefit 3rd grade
by Stuart Millar, IB coordinator | Oct 3, 2019
11th grade is hard at work, raising funds for their upcoming trip to Guatemala at the end of November. Students will experience the sights and sounds of Antigua, climb a volcano, visit local villages, and be responsible for making meals for the group! This trip will be the culmination of fundraising activities that started at the beginning of last year. It is a fundamental part of Futuro Verde’s philosophy that students should be responsible for raising the money for their field trips. This way, families are not burdened with an extra cost and students learn about the results of effort and the value of money.
However, fundraising isn’t easy. Sodas are the traditional method at Futuro Verde, but you need a lot of sodas to raise $5,000! There have been lots of good ideas, and some very successful events, but sometimes putting these into practice has been a challenge. Across all grades we have been seeing some interesting initiatives: the chance not to wear uniform in exchange for a donation, raffles, garage sales, movie nights, and sponsored field trip t-shirts. One of the main challenges is that fundraising efforts normally target students and staff. As that is a relatively small population, all these initiatives are looking to benefit from the same limited pot of financial resources. One suggestion to all classes looking to pay for their field trips is to consider holding events that reach a wider audience. Also, maybe we’re missing a trick if we don’t involve parents, families, and friends and ask for their ideas and support.
So what’s next for 11th grade? A great collaboration between a student and his parents. Look out for an announcement about a raffle with a prize of dinner at Restaurant Montezuma!
by Angie Briceño | Feb 23, 2019
As every year, this 2019 during the month of April we will have the Earth Day Charity Challenge, where students support a local organization to achieve their goals and carry out fundraising campaigns to help them achieve them.
This year, each organization competing in the Earth Day Charity Challenge will be participating with a specific project or initiative within its program, so the money raised will go directly to the development of that initiative or specific project.
Participant organizations will be competing for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as the following:
1st place wins $1000
2nd place wins $750
3rd place wins $500
Below, the list of participant organizations:
- Futuro Verde Student Government
- ASVO
- Wild Sun
- Refugio Romelia
- Karen Morgensen Reserve
- Futuro Verde Animal friends
We will be sharing more information soon. Get ready for 2019 Earth Day Charity Challenge!
