People traveling will many times comment or suggest to others how poor and impoverished many of the people are here in Costa Rica.

While no doubt there are many in Costa Rica that by most standards might be classified as poor, the simple fact that an individual or family may be in a much lower income bracket or may not have as many things that most consider material possessions, does not necessarily mean they are poor.

That is not to say that there are not things financially they may need and can’t afford. It also does not mean that there are not things someone might be able to help with financially in many situations.




My parents use to say though, “the bigger the bills, the bigger the problems”. Maybe that is what Pura Vida is all about, simplification. You might would say that many of us, if not most, when making the move to a place like Costa Rica ultimately simplify our lives and that is when we start to experience real Pura Vida.

It is difficult sometimes for so many of us that come from countries that are so blessed with opportunities and choices, and what most would consider a much higher standard of living to think of anything other than “giving money” to address many of the issues you begin to see when you settle into your new community.




So often we hear people comment about giving money to the poor, or they might classify them as less fortunate. This reminds me of the old adage that goes something along the lines of “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach him to fish and feed him for a life time”.




What this may require in many instances is simply, thinking outside the box. Several communities along the Central Pacific coast are experiencing this exact thing. Just south of Jaco, in Esterillos Oeste, there are a group of ex-pats from several countries that have come together to “teach a man to fish”.

Not literally of course, as most Tico’s in the beach communities could teach most of us a few things about fishing. There are several things many people are doing though.




Several individuals have organized after school programs, teaching art classes and English classes to 1st through 6th graders. Two individuals, this year started teaching an adult English class one night a week. They have about 15 adults attending each week, including the local school principle.




Who knows what young artist they may be helping to inspire. For some it may be the first time they have had a real sketch pad, pastels, or paints. It may inspire them to discover a hidden talent they may never have pursued otherwise.

With the incredible growth in the Central Pacific area and Costa Rica in general, Tico’s with English skills are in high demand, and in most cases enable them to earn a much higher salary. The results and rewards for these individuals are endless.




A local business has sponsored beach clean up days. They provide trash bags for local kids to fill, and then they exchange them for a reward when their bags are full. Several enterprising youngsters headed straight to the trash dumpster’s and filled their bags, returning in a few minutes to collect their reward. Hey! You have to give them credit for doing their own “thinking outside the box”.




Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Jaco this past holiday season, working along with several of their home churches from the States provided over 700 gift bags for kids in the Hermosa, Jaco and Herradura communities. They also provided new clothing for dozens of kids in the surrounding communities. Much of this simply required people coming together, brainstorming, and offering their time.

We recently saw a local resident who was doing a remodel project. He took his left over gravel and cement and along with a couple of other residents filled several big pot holes coming into the community.




Several families in the Jaco area, working along side the McKee Animal Rescue Foundation offer their homes and themselves as foster parents until the animals can be adopted out. The McKee Foundation is a result of ex-pats wanting to make a difference. They recently sponsored a spay and neuter clinic in the area.




So think outside the box. Think of ways you can help improve your newly adopted community and the lives of your new neighbors. The rewards can be endless, and who knows, you just might be “helping to teach someone to fish, and feed them for a life time”.

[custom_script adID=97]

For more information about condos, homes and land for sale in the beach town of Jaco and surrounding areas please contact our Recommended Realtors in Jaco Shawn Fletcher and his wife Hannah Fletcher
using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.