| - | Before & After School Programs |
| - | Costa Rica Studies Program |
| - | Curriculum in Action Video Series |
| - | OWLS (Wildlife Project) |
| - | Summer Reading 2008 |
| - | Guided Reading Lists PDF Document |
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| - | Special Programs and Events |
| - | ERB Presentation (PowerPoint) |
A Global Community of Friends
Our partnership with the Altos de San Luis community of Costa Rica began in 2002 with the Café Monteverde coffee project supporting Finca La Bella, and has grown over the years to include and impact the entire community. Through this partnership, our faculty and students have had the unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to the quality of life in a rural farming community, to develop
life-long relationships, and to witness first hand the fruits of their community service. Each year, this unique relationship strengthens the bonds of friendship between us, and has taught our children the true meaning and value of a global community of friends.
The Quaker Community
The saga of the Quakers of Monteverde is a story in itself. In the 1940's, many U.S. Quakers refused to register for the draft, and some were imprisoned as conscientious objectors. A small group of Quakers from Fairhope, Alabama chose to leave the United States in 1950, at the height of the Korean War, to seek a peaceful life in Costa Rica, a stable democracy that had recently abolished its armed forces. There they settled high in the Tilaran mountain range on land that they named Monteverde (which means “Green Mountain” in Spanish). Today Monteverde is a thriving community and home to one of the most successful dairies in Central America. From its inception, the Quaker community has played an active role in protecting the environment and living out its Quaker values in the broader community. Members of the Monteverde Meeting were instrumental in creating and preserving the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, establishing Finca La Bella, and introducing FSH to the people of Atos de San Luis, our partners and friends.
The San Luis Community
The San Luis Valley – Is located in the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range just below the world–famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This peaceful, rural valley has an idyllic pastoral landscape, made up primarily of small coffee plantations, bordered by emerald–green forested mountain slopes that frame a breathtaking view of the Golfo de Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean.
Altos de San Luis – Perched at the top of the Valley is the farming community of Altos de San Luis. This rural farming community is bisected by one narrow winding road that serves the farms, a small grocery store, an elementary school, and The University of Georgia Ecolodge and Tropical Field Station.
Finca La Bella – “The Beautiful Farm” is a 122-acre plantation that was created, with the help and support of the Quaker community of Monteverde, as a project in sustainable agriculture for landless families; each family is allotted a 25–year renewable lease on two to four acres. About a third of the farm is preserved as forest. Along with other small growers, the farmers of Finca La Bella provide the coffee for Café Monteverde.
Escuela Altos de San Luis – Across the road from Finca La Bella sits our partner school, a tiny elementary school with a big heart. Here the children of the upper valley attend school through 6th grade.
University of Georgia Ecolodge and Tropical Field Station – Is a scientific research facility owned and operated by the University of Georgia primarily for the use of faculty and graduate students conducting tropical field research. In addition, they offer environmental education classes and workshops for elementary age students. Each year our students participate in workshops to study tropical insects and plants with the naturalists and tropical field biologists, and hike along the beautiful cloud forest trails.
How can you help?
FSH families are invited to join in this school-wide project and become a Friend of Escuela Altos de San Luis.
Become a Friend of Escuela Altos de San Luis by making an online gift. Indicate that your gift is for Escuela Altos de San Luis in the comments line.
Since the Spring of 2004, $7,500 has been raised to support the children of EASL. FSH has established an account for our partner school at a Quaker-owned bookstore in Monteverde. As a result, EASL teachers have been able make a significant impact in providing educational opportunities for students in the San Luis Valley.
Each February, a check representing funds raised is deposited into the EASL account at the Monteverde bookstore, and our sixth graders personally make a ceremonial presentation at EASL. In addition, FSH students spend time participating in educational and community activities with the children of EASL.
For more information about this and other service projects related to the Costa Rica Studies Program, contact Friends School Haverford at (610) 642-0353.