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By Saskia Ellemeet and Maggie Jacobus, Escuelita
co-chairs
Escuelita is one of the true treasures of Nosara. It provides
much-needed programming during the summer school break to keep
our young people interested and engaged in positive activities.
This year we are adding programming for the oldest children (ages
12-15) on career opportunities and personal health to get them
inspired about their future.
One of the most precious parts of escuelita is the arts programming.
The children in our public schools do not have an arts curriculum
and for most, escuelita is the only place where they will ever
encounter supplies, time and professional guidance. Each day,
the children create crafts and art projects.
In addition, for the past two years escuelita has hired professional
theatrical artists to work with the children throughout the entire
summer camp session to create unique, original productions. We
are planning such a program again for this year, to be presented
at the end-of-camp faire. This is the highlight of escuelita and
something these children can only receive through a privately-funded
entity like escuelita.
Because we have seen the area children lit up with creativity,
witnessed their thrill at discovering their inner artist, actor
or presenter, and have experienced their joy and excitement at
their artistic accomplishments over the past years, we agreed
to co-chair escuelita this year so it can continue on.
But we cannot do it alone. Escuelita is a community project and
we need your help. Please consider donations of time, materials,
and money. Here’s how you can help:
• Make a Financial Contribution!
Financial donations are greatly appreciated and needed. Make them
directly to the escuelita account: Banco Cuscatlan 117-105-012-15-39-36-6-2
or through the Nosara Civic Association. Please contact Bobbi
Johnson (682-0024 bobbij@racsa.co.cr). Escuelita is a non-profit
entitiy.
Specific big-ticket budget items that we need underwritten include:
--Transportation: $700
Each day nearly 100 children from the greater Nosara area are
transported to and from escuelita, as well as to area field trips
on Fridays.
--Theatrical production: $2,500
Theater professionals come from San Jose to work with the children
for four weeks to create and produce a theatrical production for
the end-of - escuelita faire to which the entire community is
invited.
--Art Supplies--$500
One of the most favorite parts of escuelita for the children is
the daily art projects—making puppets, painting, drawing,
crafts—all things they don’t get to do in school due
to lack of budget. Actual art supplies are also greatly appreciated.
--Sports equipment--$250
What’s camp without sports?! We’ve got some great
activities in the works this year; help us have the equipment
to do them.
We will gladly and proudly display your name or company name
on all our materials as one of the angels who helped make escuelita
happen!
For more information about making contributions, contact Maggie
682-0270/899- 8102 mjacobus@execpc.com or Saskia 682-0585 saskiaellemeet@hotmail.com.
• Sponsor A Child!
Buy a passport—or 20—and give the gift of escuelita
to area children. Starting in early December individuals and businesses
are invited to purchase “passports” at 5,000 colones
each to help underwrite the expenses of producing escuelita, which
is run by volunteers and made possible by generous area individuals
and businesses. Those who purchase passports can either donate
them to escuelita to give as scholarships, or give them to their
employees and friends who have children. They make great Christmas
presents! Contact Maggie or Saskia.
• Donate arts & crafts
and Sports materials
• Share Your Passion!
If you have a project, activity or idea related to caring for
our earth and its environment that you’d like to share with
the children of escuelita, contact Maggie or Saskia. If you would
like to come and talk about your career to the older children,
contact us! This is an opportunity to inspire kids to think beyond
junior high school and an incredible way for you to give back
to the community.
• Volunteer Your Time!
Help out in the escuelita classrooms or be a chaperone for a field
trip. Spanish-speakers please contact Jeannette Vargas Ramírez
at 840-8392; others contact Saskia at 682-0585.
• Save Your Junk!
We are collecting recyclable materials for use in art projects.
You can help us by saving now items such as the pop-tops on soda
and beer cans, bottle caps, large and small plastic bottles, large
dog food bags (i.e., Ascan), big woven rice bags, toilet paper
rings, etc. Contact Saskia at 682-0585 about pick up/drop off.
Monetary donations can be
made in several ways:
In Costa Rica:
Direct cash payment to members of the board of Escuelita de Nosara
or:
Deposit to Banco Cuscatlan Account Number 117-105-012-15-39-36-6-2
In the US:
Tax deductible donations can be made through "Friends of
Nosara" This non-profit corporation is recognized as a public
charity under Section 501 (c) (3) of the US Internal Revenue Code.
Its purpose is to support charitable educational, cultural, civic
and social activities in Nosara.
Send checks to:
Friends of Nosara
c/o Michael V. Olson
2 Louisiana Ave #1 G
Bronxville, NY 10708
e-mail: maolson@optonline.net
Include a notation
in the memo section of the check that the money is to be directed
to "Escuelita de Nosara". Official receipts will be
issued for your tax return
In Holland:
Deposit to Postbank Account Number 256241 in the name of M. Verwest.
ING Bank Amsterdam
Foreign Operations
Po Box 1800
1000 BV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
BIC-code : PSTBNL
21
In Switzerland:
UBS compte no
0255-GM100712.1, in the name of Christiane von der Weid, denomination
Escuelita de Nosara.
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