August News (FundaVida Wins Microsoft Licenses!)
Microsoft has approved the licensing of all of FundaVida’s computers and servers! This donation accounts for over $100,000 worth of licenses and software! It is a remarkable complement to recent recognition from the U. S. Embassy of Costa Rica, CRUSA, the Strachan Foundation, and Hewlett Packard.
Such collaboration and leveraging allows FundaVida to greatly improve its robotics workshops, financial literacy training, and computer classes. Furthermore, this licensing and software donation enables a stronger internal database system to address the educational needs of FundaVida’s population.
The digital divide is being breached for at-risk youth in San Jose as FundaVida works with Microsoft, the U. S. Embassy of Costa Rica, CRUSA, the Strachan Foundation, and Hewlett Packard.
July News (FundaVida Wins Embassy Grant!)
In an attempt to combat regional violence and drug-trafficking, FundaVida was granted $150,000 by the United States Embassy of Costa Rica in the use of preventative programs on the South Side of San Jose. This is a remarkable gift and honor for FundaVida to be recognized by the Embassy of the United States.
Combined with funding from CR-USA, the Strachan Foundation, and Hewlett Packard, this project (Catalyst for Change 2011) totals over $250,000 and will directly impact over 700 students in the communities of 25 de Julio, Concepcion de Alajuelita, and Linda Vista de Patarra.
News from June 2011 (FundaVida Wins International Award)
This June, HP selected FundaVida (in collaboration with Fundacion Omar Dengo) as one of ten international organizations to be the 2010 EdTech Innovator Award recipients. On top of international recognition, this honor includes a donation of 20 state-of-the-art HP Laptop tablets to be used in Robotics Workshops!
You can follow our Robotics Classes’ blog at http://innovatechcr.ning.com/
Congratulations!
Robotics Projects 2009
Resumen de Proyectos de 2009
New ESL Music Video - 8/16/2010
Service Trip for Teens to Abangaritos
Club de Jovenes Service Trip to Abangaritos
New building in 25 de julio
Thursday, August 13, the foundation celebrated Mother´s Day in the community of 25 de Julio, but it also used this time to formally present FundaVida´s four programs and their Coordinators to the mothers of the community. With great emotion they enjoyed the use of the new building and spoke to the mothers about each program: the Computer Center, Youth Club, Counseling, and Bilingual Youth. One by one the coordinators of these programs went up to present and explain what their programs consisted of. The response was excellent and motivated these mothers to take full advantage of these programs for their children. Please help us to be able to implement these four programs in this community.
More than just soccer
Fourteen teenagers from our Real Pura Vida soccer team from Linda Vista had the opportunity to participate at a Youth Camp designed especially for soccer players on May 8th and 9th.
Other teams such as Heredia and Brujas joined in.
They had clinics on different technical aspects. However, the highlight of this event was the coming of former professional soccer players who spoke of something greater than sports… they spoke of God!
Their testimonies and words were impactful. It was so significant to hear these sports heroes say that they found their true meaning in life – not through sports- but when they found God. .
It was double gain for these kids- learning techniques about the game they love and having time to reflect on their lives and their future.
Learning to serve
On the weekend of May 1st-3rd a group of over 40 youngsters from the Linda Vista and Concepción Youth Club went on a missionary trip to Abangaritos, Puntarenas to serve in an economically challenged community.
They helped build a fortification for the church to prevent it from falling because of strong rains.
They also shared with kids and teenagers there and encouraged them by speaking words of encouragement and hope. They learnt the meaning of the phrase there is more joy in giving than receiving. They felt very welcomed and cared for. Many of the youngsters who went kiddingly said- “I would love to stay here and not have to go back!”
Shocked at the insufficient amount of supplies for people in Abangaritos, these Youth Club kids realized people here had less than themselves. So they began to feel blessed with the little they have and actually started to appreciate it. One of the kids serving mentioned – “they have less than us and in spite of that they are joyful and have such desire to live. This has been a great lesson for me!”
This visit was a determining factor to provide these teenagers with a new perspective about life and a fresh sensitivity for other people’s needs. It became an experience aimed directly at attacking a poverty mentality that says “we are poor and have nothing to give”. Rather, they became aware of how much they do have to give… hope, purpose and freedom… because they have received it themselves!
Robotics in Computer Centers of FundaVida
Teens from different communities have the opportunity of learn robotics at our computer centers. It is an adventure for them and a challenge as well to design a robot and to program it.
They must learn about hardware because all the pieces they use are from damaged and old computers, so they must know what pieces are the correct ones and what they do. For example they must know about motors, switches, lights, sensors, etc.
It is quite experience!
