Jess' Travel Blog Summer 2006

Hi everyone,

This is my allocated activity whilst in Costa Rica. It sounds like i'll be living off pineapples. ; )

Hope everyone is well!

Speak soon,
Love Jess.
(from Andrew)

Project Description

What?
Work on the initial stages on Rural Tourism project. For that, some infrastructure will be needed: Lookout point, greenhouse, butterfly farm and Artisans´ center

Who?
Women association from the community (Asociación Femenina Ecologista de San Marcos), with funds from the UNDP

Where?
Alajuela province, San Carlos, Northwest of Costa Rica

Weather?
Temperature 24—30°C
Altitude: 500 m
Hot, humid and rainy

When?
December 3 2006 to February 11 2007

Community?
Community is formed by 600 people, they dont have access to running water. The land is owned by the goverment and given to local farmers, so this project will benefit the community by creating a touristic zone which is intended to boost local economy. Most of the people work in local pineapple plantations.

What is the work like?
Very similar to the description on the first project, as it involves a similar work. However this project will bring new challenges as there are great differences between both projects, mainly for the kind of reserve and altitude. Also communities will be very different and will provide a new opportunity for challenges. The opportunity of working with a women´s group is also a strong point of this project which is just in its initial stages. As this area is not a National Park, there wont be presence or Rangers, but on their place, locals will be helping the group of volunteers understand culture and they way they live.