Foundations July

Amigos de la Educacion: Barry and Suzye Lawson have lived in Tamarindo for nearly fifteen years and have been at the helm of this wonderful foundation for more than six years. It is a non-profit organization supporting quality education and scholarships for students and teachers from kindergarten all the way through university studies in the Canton of Santa Cruz in Guanacaste, where they meet with administrators from ten different schools. The goal is to provide educational supplies and items as basic as school lunches for needy and talented students. The board of directors carries impressive credentials and part of their creed is to always donate materials, never actual money. Interested parties can help by calling 2653-0270 or via email at: amigoseducaciocr@gmail.com

Tamarindo Recycles: The recycling program in Tamarindo/Langosta has encountered a problem in that freelance entrepreneurs are taking recycling material from their delegated bins in town. Muni theorizes that they are doing this for aluminum cans in order to receive cash. The problem is that Muni is worried that recyclable but non-refundable items, such as glass, are simply being discarded (i.e., in fields and rivers) and are not being recycled. This act is definitely being done at night. It has been requested that people bring their recycling material to their bins ONLY on Tuesday mornings. Suggestions are gladly accepted at tamarindorecycles@gmail.com . On another note, rainy season has begun so no cardboard for now.

Beach Community Church: Current senior pastor Brett Clifford is returning to the U.S., and his successor, reverend Lyle Watson, will assume this position on July 15. Lyle has been serving the community for several years and this should be a smooth transition. There will be a farewell potluck for Brett at the church on July 11. Those interested in wishing him well (and provide a side dish or dessert) can contact Babe Hopkins at: tbabehopkins@yahoo.com.

Abriendo Mentes: This organization celebrated its one-year anniversary on June 8, at Salon Comunal in Playa Portrero with a piñata, snacks, guest visitors, and arts & crafts activities. AM has strengthened its relationships with like organizations. For example, Unique Adventures Costa Rica sponsored a pen pal program which enables AM students to correspond with a fifth grade Spanish class in Greensboro, N.C. It has been so successful that they have expanded the program to enable the kindergarten class to write to Esperanza de Cambio, an organization in Peru. The foundation was recently accepted by the Omprakash Foundation as a partner in fiscal sponsorship. Their new goal is to aid 103 women and children with a three-tiered plan for material packets for students, improved community teaching space, and more learning excursions for the students. For more information, check out their website: www.abriendomentes.org .

CEPIA: The most important event of the year for this Costa Rican non-profit organization, the ninth annual Robert August, will take place July 29-31 and is sponsored by Hacienda Pinilla, Best Western Vista Villas, Lola’s Restaurant, Quicksilver, Marlin Rey, Restaurant Nibbana and Koi Sushi. Their goal is to provide three hundred school children with yearly school supplies. Interested parties can check their site at: www.cepiadirector@racsa.co.cr .

Surfrider Foundation: Don’t miss the Fourth of July softball event at the field next to the Happy Snapper in Brasalito. If interested, call Mike Clifford at 2653.2056 and don’t forget your mitt and beer. Surfrider’s Tamarindo Chapter and volunteers will meet on July 10, at 9:00 a.m., at the volleyball net at Hotel Barcelo for the monthly beach clean-up project. The Monthly meeting for this Chapter will meet on Thursday, July 29, at 7:00 p.m., at the Surf Club Sports Bar in Playa Langosta. The Surf Club Sports Bar will also be hosting three-ball pool tournaments every Sunday night, starting at 7:00 p.m. For details, please phone 2653-1886.