Fund College Program for At-Risk Youth, Costa Rica

One spotlight member of the Foundation is 18 year old Tatiana, a long time friend

and now member of the university scholarship group. Tatiana was just 9 years old when El Niño y La

Bola began work in her community, El Triangulo Solidario, and through the years she has been a part of

tutoring, girls group and many community activities. Here is what Tatiana had to say.

"For me, the foundation is a group of people who help those with limited resources, they bring joy and

happiness to children living in conflicted zones, and are a support for many young people in the area of

academics. For me, the work is great, significantly helping children and youth who do not have the

money to support their studies. My biggest dream is to study, to get a college degree and through that

get a job that brings good economic benefits to help my family . I would like to someday be an

accomplished a person and to help other young people who have difficulties to study and succeed."

Meet Edgar

Each month, we introduce you to one Boy with a Ball CR member who represents the incredible perseverance and strength held by many people involved in the Foundation. This month, that person is Edgar, age 24, a member around since the beginning and one of the first college graduates in El Triangulo Solidario. We asked Edgar a few questions about his role in the Foundation and his community, here is what he had to say.

What is your role in the Foundation and how did you become involved?

My family came to know the foundation thanks to Don Josue, who came and spoke with my mom and sister, and after some time I decided to listen to their conversations, and at one point he invited me to participate in the tutoring program, and so I began as a volunteer. Later, Jose Arias invited me to collaborate in the scholarship program, one thing led to another and I became part of the staff as a program assistant for two and a half years, first in Triangulo Solidario and later in Los Cuadros.

My current role in the foundation, like many others, is as a volunteer. Also like many others, I have great respect for the foundation's dedication to the community and for the constant role it plays, to the point that I identify the foundation as a part of this community. More than the social works of the Foundation, one can see more than programs and donations, but rather a space for good relationships and opportunities to grow.

What do you do with the group of community leaders in El Triangulo and how did you get involved there?

I have always been interested in collaborating with the community in some way, whether through the foundation or in another area needed. The moment in which the community was confronted in respect to the relocation of families to disoccupy the land of Triangulo Solidario for the construction of the north highway (circunvalacion), it is a point of interest and needs the collaboration of all the neighbors, so they invited me to form part of the board of directors. The position that I occupy within this community organization is 'Vocal II', but more important that the position itself is that one can collaborate within this (relocation) process, accompany and learn so many important topics about leadership and community organization, from the example that is our president (and other members). Basically my contribution is attending meetings, collaborating and processing information in the community, or any tasks that are assigned to me. If I can, I will do them gladly.

What are your personal dreams?
Like everyone, my dreams are like a huge skyscraper, and I thank God and my family who have always supported my academic training process. I hope to continue on this path, learning every day. I see this as a tool to achieve many goals such as a family and work; a chain reaction.

We congratulate Edgar on his accomplishments and for his dedication and can't wait to see what other great things lie ahead on his journey!

Links:

• http://www.elninoylabolacr.org