Chris Dearnley,

Founder, Director

Fundación Pura Vida Coffee (FundaVida)
Chris graduated with honors in economics from Wheaton College in 1981 and obtained his MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1989. Chris has lived and worked in Latin America for over 20 years. His background in international business and passion to help the poor were the impetus behind his creating a foundation that would empower children to break out of the destructive cycle of poverty.

In 1998, Chris along with cofounder, John Sage, created a gourmet coffee company called Pura Vida Coffee (www.puravidacoffee.com). This unique company sells gourmet coffee, with the goal of helping at-risk children in coffee growing regions of the world. The proceeds help sustain work in five countries through Pura Vida Partners which Chris also co-founded. But his primary passion has been to help socially at-risk children in Costa Rica through FundaVida (www.fundavida.org )

Poverty produces a mentality of entitlement, which can be summarized in the phrase:”I’m poor, you owe me”. Rather than provide handouts, Chris believes that children are best helped through programs which empower them to become leaders, to take hold of opportunity and find solutions to the problems that surround them. FundaVida offers programs that meet the physical, emotional and educational needs of at-risk children changing the attitude and in turn the destiny of hundreds of children as well as the generations that follow.

Chris, his wife Andrea and their three children live in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.

Eladio Guerrero, General Coordinator.

I really enjoy my time serving at FundaVida.  It has been a great privilege interacting with kids at risk, getting to know them closely, and passing on to them what God has given me.  What I enjoy the most is listening to their stories, and hearing how FundaVida has made a difference in their lives. Since 1996, I decided to spend my life helping those less fortunate, and now I am truly happy to have made that choice.  I find great satisfaction in my work with FundaVida.

Blanca Duarte, Logistics Coodinator.

In 1996, my pastor, Chris Dearnley, invited me to Alajuelita to see the work he was doing with children at risk. Since that first day I feel a consistent calling from the Lord  to serve in this place, and it has been wonderful to see how the God has transformed many kids through the work of FundaVida. Today, we are serving in three communities and I daily thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve Him and help others that are in need.

Alvaro Sánchez, Teens Coordinator.

 

 My name is Alvaro Sanchez Perez, I am married, have three kids, and live in San Francisco de dos Rios. For me, teaching has been a passion and I have taught since my youth in Colombia.  About ten years ago, I had to leave Colombia because my family was at risk. When I arrived to Costa Rica, I specifically asked God for a job where I could serve Him, and thanks to God, I found FundaVida. Teaching kids and working with the teens in San Jose has been a wonderful experience. Their joy is my best reward.

Alvaro is currently the teen’s coordinator.  On top of organizing Teen’s Club, Alvaro oversees the Kids Club Program, Sports program, and FundaVida Verde.