Costa Rica rural community support fund

Over the past three months, we continued creating opportunities to strengthen well-being, participation, and community connections in Drake Bay. Among all the activities carried out, one moment was especially meaningful for Doña Lilian Jiménez, an older adult from the community of El Progreso.

Doña Lilian told us how excited she felt when, for the first time, a doctor specializing in family medicine visited her at home. The visit was not only about her physical health. They also talked about how she was feeling emotionally and about her daily life. Wendy, who volunteered with the Corcovado Foundation, visited several older adults in the community with the same purpose, providing them with a personal and caring space to talk about their well-being.

The experience continued during one of our gatherings with older adults, when Wendy led a session focused on emotional health. Little by little, the conversation filled with memories. Participants shared stories about their lives, how they first came to Drake, and what it was like to live surrounded by forest when very few people lived in the community. More than an activity, it became an opportunity to listen to one another, share memories, and recognize the value of their stories.

During these three months, we organized three activities with older adults in the community, combining crafts, exercise, music, and board games. These gatherings provide opportunities for participants to stay active, spend time with others, and, most importantly, enjoy being together.

Our older adults also participated in an agroecological fair in Puerto Jiménez, where they had the opportunity to share something very valuable: their knowledge of medicinal plants. Through a short presentation, they shared knowledge they have preserved for many years, becoming not only participants in the activity but also teachers who could pass their experience on to others.

Community support also takes the form of practical actions that can make a meaningful difference in people's daily lives. We continued supporting Don Omar with the construction of the floor in his home, helping him move closer to having a safer and more dignified place to live. We also supported the community of Los Planes by donating a bucket of paint to help with the maintenance of its suspension bridge.

Finally, we continued making progress with Entretejiendo Sueños, a community-based rural tourism project developed together with UNED and CEDPO. We are currently following up with participating entrepreneurs by submitting cost estimates for each initiative as part of the process to secure materials that will help strengthen their small businesses.

Each of these actions is different, but they all share the same purpose: to help build stronger communities where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute through their knowledge, experiences, and initiatives.

Thanks to everyone who believes in this project and supports our work, we can continue creating these meaningful opportunities for well-being, connection, and collaboration in the communities of the Osa Peninsula.