Gandoca School Soccer Project

Background

I have just returned from Costa Rica with my 19 of my Marian Catholic students.  One of the most important parts of our trip was working with the children and parents of Gandoca on their Gandoca School.  Gandoca is a stunningly beautiful, but very isolated community north of Costa Rica’s border with Panama.  There is no public transport that serves Gandoca, so most families live off of what they can produce on their land.  This sustenance farming lifestyle offers a simplicity that I admire, but it makes it very difficult for the community to raise funds for special things….like soccer (football) jerseys.

The Soccer Field Project

Recently the community pooled its labor resources to clear a soccer field for Gandoca School.   If you’ve spent any time in a rainforest, you can appreciate the enormity of that project.  Every bit of the labor came from within the community.  The only thing that is still missing is soccer uniforms!  I realize that there are many worthy charitable projects trying to capture your attention.  Gandoca has 22 primary students that live and breathe soccer.  These are kids that live without televisions and the internet; soccer is their collective passion.   Soccer uniforms would be an amazing gift for these kids.

The Uniform Project

We are going to have 30 soccer uniforms printed with “Gandoca” on the front and a number on the back.  The uniforms will be printed by B Creative Screen Print Co. in Frankfort, Illinois.  Each student at Gandoca School will be issued a jersey, shorts and socks.  There are 22 students currently at the school, but 8 extra uniforms will allow for the uniforms to be used for several years.  They are sturdy polyester and will stand the test of time. I will be traveling back down to Costa Rica on July 29th and will deliver the uniforms to Gandoca School during my visit.  The only person in Gandoca who knows about this initiative is the school teacher and principal Alorena Mojica.  Needless to say, this will be a very big surprise!  I encourage you to donate to this worthy school.  The kids are just amazing, and their community is so strong.  Your donation will go directly into the hands (and feet) or some awesome soccer stars!

Pura Vida!  

Jennifer Clifford

Marian Catholic High School

[email protected]