Surfing Costa Rica - Surfeadores Unidos por Costa Rica entregan vĂ­veres a familias necesitadas en Isla Chira

Surfing Costa Rica - Surfers United for Costa Rica deliver food supplies to families in need on Isla Chira


Sun Bum presents the news of the day.


Fishing families from Isla Chira received aid this weekend.



Surfing Costa Rica - Food delivery on Isla Chira.


A total of 90 families benefited this weekend from the contribution of the "Surfers United for Costa Rica" initiative, which aims to support those most in need during difficult times.

The "Surfers United for Costa Rica" campaign was born from 2 hearts:
On one hand, it originated from a group of surfers concerned about the national situation due to Covid-19, who organized themselves to see where they could help given the great need. On the other hand, Wagner Torres, a researcher with the Judicial Branch, spent several months working alongside the Public Force to identify the families with the greatest need on Isla Chira. Therefore, "Surfers United for Costa Rica" was born from the union of the surfers and Mr. Wagner Torres's initiative, and it was the ideal way to join forces with the Public Force, as there had been many clashes due to the quarantine. It was an excellent way to demonstrate that both can work together for the benefit of Costa Rica.
According to Wagner Torres, approximately 300 families live on Isla Chira, but 50 of them are in critical condition. Therefore, a fundraising campaign was launched with the support of organizations such as the Surf Federation, Surfing Republica, the Public Force, the Coast Guard, JacĂł Lifeguards, Adaptive Surfing, Christian Surfers, and Pura Vida Fighting for Kids. The goal was to collect 15,000 colones per family, for a total of 750,000 colones.

Thanks to the generosity of all Costa Ricans, the goal was surpassed, and enough was raised to benefit 90 families. Additionally, individuals donated in-kind donations such as food baskets and watermelons.

On Saturday, May 2nd, we departed for the Coast Guard Station in Puerto Níspero de Cañas, Guanacaste. National professional surfers Jair Pérez (National Champion) and Ariel Gutiérrez accompanied us on the trip, along with the head of the Coast Guard in Jacó, Marvin Chen Pérez. The bags of supplies were transported from the cars to the boat, and upon arrival at Isla Chira, from the boat to the Public Force units.

Surfers and law enforcement then went house to house delivering food supplies to the different families who, at the time of delivery, no longer had anything to eat that night, and obviously, emotion took over them.

On a very sunny and hot day, but with hearts full of joy, it ended around 5:30pm as the Coast Guard officers were waiting for the group at 6pm to return to Puerto NĂ­spero departing from Puerto La Gavilana.

Although these 90 families were able to benefit, this will only provide them with a temporary aid that will last them for 1-2 weeks. It is important to continue with these types of campaigns, and that is why Surfers United for Costa Rica will continue to hold these fundraisers. Anyone who wants to join and support is welcome.
We also urge the Costa Rican government to turn its attention to the coastal areas, which are bearing the brunt of this pandemic. An economic recovery is urgently needed.

“It fills my heart because in the past, one of those families represented my own family. My family was large, with nine siblings, and my parents were in great need. There were people who always helped us and left food at our house. For me, these are memories from the past that greatly enriched my life. Knowing that I was a child like that, that one of my sisters was a girl, that they were in great need, it fills me with joy to be able to help in the same way that I was helped. I am very grateful to those people who made it possible. I hope we can continue helping and meeting the needs of people in need, and when I can help, I will do so wholeheartedly,” stated National Surf Champion, Jair Pérez.


Surfing Costa Rica - Food delivery on Isla Chira.

Thanks to the support of the organization Surf Adaptado CR, we also proceeded to identify and make a list of people with disabilities living on the Island in order to find ways to support and benefit them.

Surfers United for Costa Rica hopes to continue supporting areas affected by the crisis caused by the current pandemic and does not rule out the possibility of further visits to different areas of the country.

On Tuesday, May 5th, more donations were delivered to the Playa Hermosa sector of Garabito, thanks to the initiative of surfer Ariel Gutiérrez, who told us he received a donation from the All Ocean Surfboards factory to be able to purchase the groceries.

Surfing Costa Rica - Food delivery at Playa Hermosa.



“In my opinion, visiting Isla Chira to provide this aid was like a slap in the face, because no matter what, we are all going through crises and experiencing economic, recreational, and other needs. But there is a segment of the population that undoubtedly has far greater needs, and I've seen it here in Playa Hermosa where I've gone to help families in need. But I believe the needs on Isla Chira are 100% or even 200% greater than those we experience here, to the point that there were families who had run out of food, and when they learned we were going to give them supplies, they would cry or laugh with emotion. So imagine if there are places on the mainland that need support, now imagine what it's like on an island where it's so difficult to get anything there. This experience helped me reflect and thank God that we have a home and food for each day,” said Ariel Gutiérrez, a surfer who helped with the food distribution.


To continue providing aid to people in need, the surfers are asking for your support and compassion, as this assistance will only last for one to two weeks. It's important to continue these types of campaigns, and that's why Surfers United for Costa Rica will continue these fundraisers. Anyone who wants to join and support is welcome.

Surfing Costa Rica - Food delivery on Isla Chira.

We also urge the Costa Rican government to turn its attention to the coastal areas, which are bearing the brunt of this pandemic. An economic recovery is urgently needed.

Surfing Costa Rica - Food delivery on Isla Chira.

 

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero

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