26 June 00: One of the U.S. neighbors was recently telling me how delighted she is to witness progress with the little girls of her caretaker. She feels the children are learning some English and having a better year at school this year. With this woman as an example more of our "once in a while" neighbors will take more interest in children of their caretakers. Almost 75 percent of the children at the school have parents working for non-nationals who have vacation homes. What a shift since 1993.
While visiting with guests I met our neighbor woman who had started cooking for the children. She helps with cleaning, too. The on-going battle of the uncut grass on the playing field continues; although the soccer field gets cleaned many more times per year than does the area near buildings.

I finally took a whole afternoon to rearrange all the gifts of books to the school, weeding out unusable books and distributing them to the high school and other recipients in the village. During the process some of the children helped me clean out several years’ accumulation of termites, wasp nests, spider webs... Now the books are clean and invite readers. The new "library table and 8 chairs" has divided a classroom with a small space called, The Library.

Mid-August: Over the weekend the school was robbed. This time vandals took the bank of batteries and inverter to the solar electrical system. Yet again the community realized their assets were at risk. Most rural schools commit a family member to live at the school compound during the teacher’s absence. No one here wants that responsibility. I was approached with a need to repair the electrical system. The replacement costs will exceed $3,000. "The Association is willing to assist raising the money IF the community organizes a guard for the school, equal to your homes."

At the request of the Rio Oro teacher, José, I went to visit the little school near the Corcovado Park, 16 kilometers further up the mountain. They need financial help to offer better education. Nine children attend school, all sharing desks, have no blackboards, books, etc. One family sends their 3 children on one horse and José said they are always in school, in spite of the 1-hour ride. This school has a garden of edible plants—extra education teaching an alternative/addition to rice and beans.

Sept.: The badly neglected Gestetner mimeograph machine finally was repaired. (The San José technician reported never having seen such mold and insect accumulation. "Never underestimate the power of the jungle", I told him.) The teacher seems pleased with an alternative to multiple carbon copies. Will he use it?

Nov.: It appears that almost all twenty children are prepared for the final exams. Excitement is high. The mimeograph machine is still not being used, lacking teacher ‘confidence’. Talk is high about a graduation party for 3 students—to be held at the Lapa Rios Ecolodge.

20 Dec.: Three families came to witness and celebrate the sixth grade graduation with Fabiola, Jessica and Mayra. In this part of Costa Rica graduation probably means the end to formal education, though Fabiola talks about going to San José for high school, along with her older sister Dyana (sadly, last year’s graduating sister returned home after 1 month in high school). Jessica is awaiting the invitation from vacation homeowners near the Matapalo Point to attend high school in California, living with the family. The party was a big success—no cake remained.


2001: Feb. Jorge, our new teacher, appears eager with 14 students awaiting his guidance (more will come, surely). A jaguar reported near 2 farms is keeping 7 children at home. Watching parents in San José accompany their children hand-in-hand to school merely 2 blocks from home makes me wonder why parents here can’t share some of those same standards. Jorge already has spent 3 years teaching at another rural school even more remote than the Carbonera so his ‘new’ experience will include larger classes and many more supplies :-).
Jonathan, a teacher sent by World Teach, will live with the Chavarria family and teach English lessons 1/2 hour per day. Hopefully his enthusiasm to live in the Osa will spread beyond teaching only the children: so many adults wish to learn English due to their exposure to tourists.

Mar., ’01: After separating the numerous gifts from generous Lapa Rios guests—pencils, Crayons, markers and other goodies collected during the school holiday—the Asociación was able to present 10 Osa schools with supplies. The decision to assist other schools in the Southern Osa has been made based on observation and requests; many schools have no blackboards, desks, and the necessary fundamentals. The Carbonera School has been built.
Paso Canoas Peace Corp Volunteer Megan organized 3 students from Goshen College in Indiana, USA to finish labeling and carding all the donated library books lining the many shelves. Thanks Rachel Beyeler, Mindy Holsopple and Marc Jantzi for your time and effort.

May: There is electricity once again at the Carbonera School. The replacement solar equipment finally arrived and was installed. GREAT Newsflash! The Rio Oro School will dedicate their newly rebuilt classroom, thanks to the active Rio Oro community of parents (and Goshen students for several days of labor). The Asociación-installed solar electrical system will also be acknowledged on 14 June! How marvelous to spread the mission of "building for education" to other schools.
Fortunately for our students Jorge is decorating the walls with charts, pictures and many visual aids, providing stimulate/visual learning during the children’s "sit time".

While visiting with guests I met our neighbor woman who had started cooking for the children. She helps with cleaning, too. The on-going battle of the uncut grass on the playing field continues; although the soccer field gets cleaned many more times per year than does the area near buildings.

The school is a success due to the contributions of many people with many skills. When thinking about who we are because of our own education we can appreciate that education needs to be shared and available to all, especially in areas impacted by tourism. If you would like to share in the ongoing building of the Carbonera School, make your tax deductible contributions (memo: "Carbonera School")

to: Costa Rica-Minnesota Foundation, 2424 Territorial Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55114.

If you are in Lapa Rios write a check to ASOCIACION de EDUCACION de ESCUELA CARBONERA and leave it in the general tip box at the reception desk. 100% of your gift helps continue building the Carbonera School.

Please Note New Address 8-2001:

Costa Rica-Minnesota Foundation,
2424 Territorial Road ,
St. Paul, Minnesota, 55114.
Tel (651) 645-410
Fax (651) 645 - 4684
E-mail: lupita.barahona@2424group.com
Contact person: Lupita Barahona

If you are in Lapa Rios make out a check to ASOCIACION de EDUCACION de ESCUELA CARBONERA and leave it in the general tip box at the reception desk. 100% of your gift helps continue building of the Carbonera School.

Lapa Rios - The Carbonera School, Costa Rica. phone: 011 (506) 2735-5130, fax: 011 (506) 2735-5179,