Costa Rica Schools have it TOUGH
March 4th, 2010 | 
Author: 
http://TravelCostaRicaNOW.com Hey Everyone! Most Costa Rican kids have a shot at receiving an education here. The government does supply a little ‘funding’, but NOT nearly enough to go around… and it’s spread VERY thin to say the least. The financial responsibility typically falls on the communities ‘themselves’, putting a LOT of pressure on families and teachers to supply the most basic of needs (like toilet paper for instance). Many families have the money but just as MANY, don’t. Do the math on this one and you can quickly see it becomes a HUGE financial BURDEN. Getting basic supplies like paper and pencils is tough enough, but bigger ticket items, like much needed copiers, computers and such are nearly impossible. We were talking to our good friend, Steve about this problem and he was on board immediately. We want to thank him BIG TIME for sending the funds and would also like to thank our Tico friends, Walter and Alejandra for pointing us in the right direction and also taking the time out from their busy school schedules to help us buy supplies. Check out this video and maybe you’ll have a better understanding of how it works here in Costa Rica and what can happen when just a few people get together in order to try and make a difference, little or otherwise…it’s ALL good and EVERYTHING helps. Interested in helping? Contact US. The kids would appreciate it.
Duration : 0:7:58
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Posted in costa rica | 
Tags: Costa Rica Schools, education, funding, poverty, primary schools, school children
I would probably …
I would probably unwrap everything so it doesn’t look like you’re going to try and re-sale them or something…but it shouldn’t be a problem…you could tell them anything really….
I was wondering the …
I was wondering the same thing. What if I just packed my luggage full of supplies? That’s what I thought about anyway….
I have many tico …
I have many tico friends that will attest to the fact that they definitely, defintely make more & have higher incomes if they are fluent in english. I hope I don’t sound too much like a typical gringo if I say that the economic future of Costa Rica may depend largely on how sucessfull the schools are in teaching students english.
Not really sure, …
Not really sure, but a friend of ours asked and they said they would for go the import duties on ‘supplies’…..but in Costa Rica there’s usually 5 answers for any given question.
thanks for the …
thanks for the heads up on this. i had planned on volunteering once i come down, in part to improve my spanish, and to, as you recommended, become a part of the community. clearly engaging the folks back home to send supplies or money will be a service as well.
how difficult is it to have supplies shipped into cr ? can one get around import duties ?
haha….THANX. …
haha….THANX. Anything you can do would be appreciated.
You guys rock! …
You guys rock! Unfortunately, US schools are in the same boat. Parents here in California are called upon to provide materials and, yes, even toilet paper. I hope to help out.
@Epazuti Thanx for …
@Epazuti Thanx for the nice words,,,hopefully we can do more….
D’Angelo and Mike, …
D’Angelo and Mike, thank you for your inspiring work. For informing and educating all of us on how to tour and live in Costa Rica. But more importantly, how to be of service to others.
@wemobr and then …
@wemobr and then take 4 kids, but you have NO money for the uniforms.
What is not …
What is not expensive in costa rica lol beside food, but yes school may be free but not supplies. a uniform for a highschool student costs around $70. now think if you have 4 kids, just that on uniforms :/