PROJECTS SUPPORTED WITH ECOTOURISM INCOME

2003 and 2004: Community built water project for La Pita Coffee Cooperative

La Pita community of 250 inhabitants was chosen to receive $8000 from 2003 and 2004 ecotourism income and the proceeds of our 10th Anniversary Fiesta for the construction of a gravity fed water project. The community had been trying to get funding for the project for years because their current water supply is contaminated with lead from gold mining operations in the 1900s. The project cost of $16,000 is being shared with Henniker, New Hampshire, also a sister community of San Ramón. The community is providing labor, Programa Agua is providing the plan, training, technical expertise and delivery of materials. One of the community members deeded the land where the water springs forth from the mountain to the community in perpetuity. Thirty-four houses will have their own water spigots; 4 homes located at a high elevation will share a spigot. "I am very happy that I will have clean water coming right to my house so I can have a nice clean shower right at home," Francisco Mendoza, a senior citizen of La Pita.

2002: La Chispa Elementary School

Not far from the Finca Esperanza Verde, 52 children attend a brand-new elementary school that opened in February, 2003. A local farmer donated the land, parents and older brothers constructed the two-classroom building, the Ministry of Education supplied a teacher and desks, and the 10% of our ecotour income for 2002 which we dedicate to a community development project paid for the building materials. Without La Chispa school, all these kids would not be in school or would need to move in with relatives in a different town in order to be near a school.

The municipal band, vice-mayor and proud students and parents inaugurate La Chispa Elementary School.