Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat
Project
The aim of Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat is to increase conservation in this critical high biodiversity area and benefit the local populations directly through social programs, and thus increase the sustainability of our conservation projects.
We are active in many local schools, and we support 1,000 children ages 4 through 18 years old. While education is free in Costa Rica, the uniforms and supplies mandatory for assistance are prohibitively expensive for many of our community members. Many rural schools do not have access to supplies and technology.
Needs
General School Supplies:
Book Bags, Chalk, College-ruled Paper, Colored Construction Paper, Colored Pencils, Compasses, Crayons, Dry-Erase Markers, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, Solar Calculators, Solar Lantern Lights, and Wide-ruled Paper
Reference Materials:
(English, French, and Spanish) Dictionaries and Age Appropriate Encyclopedias on CD
Flash Cards:
(English and Spanish) Alphabet, Math, and Word
Wall Charts:
(English and Spanish) Human Body, Language, Math, Science, and World Maps
Text/Reading Books:
(Spanish) Age Appropriate Story Books, Biology, General Science, Health, Language/Grammar, and Math
Art Supplies:
Acrylic Brushes and Paints, Beads for Bead Work, Buttons, Craft Glue, Craft Scissors, Earring Hooks, Fashion Magazines, Gage Wire, Sewing Needles, Thread, Watercolor Brushes and Paints, and Wire Cutters
Computer Hardware/Software:
*Flash Drives/Memory Sticks, *Mobile Phones, *Printers, *Printer Cartridges, *Canon, *Solar-Powered Working Laptops, *Tablets, *USB Cables, and *Working Laptops
Educational Games/Toys:
Bananagrams, Chess Sets, Connect Four, Puzzles, Scrabble, and Stuffed Animals/Soft Toys
Music Instruments:
*Castanets, *Cymbals, *Guiros, *Harmonicas/Kazoos, *Maracas, *Recorders, *Tambourines, *Triangles, and *Xylophones
Sports/Outdoor Activity:
Frisbees, Inflation Pumps, Jump Ropes, Netball/Basketballs, Soccer Balls, Team Uniforms/Kits for Soccer, Tennis Balls, and Whistles
Clothing/Shoes:
New or Gently Used Children’s Clothing and Shoes
First Aid/Health:
Antibiotic Ointment, Band-Aids, Sanitary Napkins, and Tampons
Office Supplies:
Markers, Pencils, Pens, Printer Paper, Rulers, Scissors, Solar Calculators, and Staplers
Gardening:
Books about Gardening, Cloth Caddy for Small Tools, Gardening Gloves, Hand Fork, Small Pruning Shears, Spades, and Trowel
Initiatives Supported
Listed on this page are the specific needs requested by the community project(s) so you can choose exactly what to pack for a purpose and express your gratitude to the local community with the supplies you take them. If you prefer, you may reach out directly to them to inquire about items which may be available for purchase locally. Arranging visits to community projects is beyond the scope of our mission. If you wish to visit a project, contact the participant and they can let you know what is possible.
Candy and balloons are not on the needs list as they are harmful for the children and the environment for the following reasons:
• Few of the children benefiting from these projects have access to toothpaste, toothbrushes, or a dentist. The candy promotes cavities.
• The balloons once they become deflated are a choking hazard for local wildlife.
Instead of taking candy or balloons, use that space for additional requested supplies, as they are priceless.
