We’d like to update you on a few things regarding the work here in Costa Rica.
Tsimari school:
We are pleased to let you know that the Tsimari school is practically finished. This includes the walls, roofs, septic system, bathrooms, and water hook-up. A few minor details are left, such as refinishing the desks and chairs.
Giovanni and the community finished building the school in mid-November. Because of unforeseen delays and other commitments, we were unable to be directly involved with this phase of the school building, but were so blessed to hear Giovanni’s great report. The community worked extremely hard, including hauling rock for the septic filter. This was also Giovanni’s first time managing a project in our absence, and he did a wonderful job. Although our hearts were in Tsimari with Giovanni, we strongly felt that it was God’s plan that Giovanni take on this new role and responsibility.
We have posted a few pictures of the new school building below. Because our digital camera was experiencing some technical difficulties, we sent Giovanni with a disposible film camera, so please pardon the photo quality.
We are making plans to finish the details on the school the first week in December, if the weather behaves. We are planning on having the school inauguration in Tsimari at the beginning of February, right before the new school year begins.
One thing we really hope and pray for the Tsimari school is a new schoolteacher. There have been a number of problems with this individual, and, as a result, the children’s education has suffered. We are praying that this next school year, there will either be a change of heart in this teacher, or that another (better) teacher is assigned to the Tsimari school.
Chirripó-Cabécar Health Outposts Project:
As some of you may know, for a while it has been on our hearts to aid in revamping the government healthcare system for the indigenous people in Costa Rica, particularly the Cabécar people of Chirripó. While waiting on God’s timing and opportunity for this plan to be presented to the right authorities, we were given some insight into how to start doing something now- without waiting for the government authorities to take action.
There are currently 7 government health outposts (HO) in the reservation, in various states of disrepair. There is a need for at least 12 health outposts in total. The existing HO are not given regular maintenance beyond the initial construction, due to the fact that the health outpost belongs to the community and not the government. Since the government is not the owner, it does not allot funds for general upkeep.
In September, we were blessed to host a construction team from the Crossroad Church in Jacksonville, Florida, who helped bring much-needed repairs to the health outpost nearest us, in the community of Tsimiriñak. It was through their visit, that the idea was sparked to begin working on getting private funding, along with organizing the community, in order to work on improving the healthcare infrastructure of the health outposts on the reservation.
We would love to see church’s, other organizations, or individuals “adopt” a health outpost so that these may be outfitted and adequately maintained in order to provide an optimal place for the government healthworkers to provide their services. The wonderful thing about this type of project is that the health outpost remains under the community’s ownership and there are no government limitations to receiving private funding and support.
During the Crossroad’s team visit, they were able to change out a rusting roof, improve the natural lighting, replace termite-ridden support beams, and paint. This group worked really hard, and the community was so blessed to see so much done in the short time they were here.
Well, that’s it for now. Thanks for all your prayers and support. We really appreciate your prayers for continued direction in how to do truly transformational development in a sustainable way, while bearing Christ’s love wherever we go.
By His grace,
Alekcey and Judith
New school building in Tsimari
Building the school in Tsimari
Community members building their new school in Tsimari
Tsimirinak health outpost, before
Tsimirinak health outpost, before
Tsimirinak health outpost, before
Initiating major repairs
Major repairs continue
Tsimirinak health outpost, after
