Blog Author, Rosemary Rein, Ph.D with Alvaro Salas, AccionJoven.Org and Opinion Actual.com
Making a Difference and Making it Matter. Young Business Executives in Latin America Pay It Forward with Youth Scholarships and Leadership Development.
Are there two Costa Ricas? You bet and it should be of concern to all of us regardless of which half you're a member of. With an estimated 60% of Costa Rica's population estimated below the poverty level and neighborhoods like La Carpia where drugs, prostitution and violence are breeding grounds for gangs, a group of 20 young, bright, passionate leaders in Latin America may hold our hope. This young group of business leaders believe the "Futureof Costa Rica can be found through helping young people find their way and helping to fund their education"
Sometimes that 60% poverty factor gets lost in this beautiful country amidst the chic centers of influence like Escazu with embassies, hip cafes and prestigious private schools and could be missed by the eye of the Costa Rica Vacationer completely! After-all, who, unless you are an extremely committed humanitarian wouldn't choose to spend their 1-week vacation to Costa Rica's tropical paradise watching monkeys and sipping pina coladas at our beautiful beach resorts over witnessing the eyes of a child without hope who can't attend school anymore, because his or her family doesn't have the money to send them.
I had the opportunity recently to interview one of these 20 bright business leaders, Alvaro Salas. Alvaro is an attorney, still in his twenties and a Vice President for Business Development for Latin America Title Company. Alvaro, born in Costa Rica and currently residing in Panama, demonstrates the best in visionary leadership through word and deed. He believes business success is about much more than making a profit. It's about making a difference and he wants to inspire young people to make the right choices and through hard work, make a bright future.
Born into what he describes as humble means, Alvaro well remembers what it's like not to be able to afford to continue an education. Fortunately, one family, a bit more privileged decided to invest in him. They told Alvaro they would pay for him to continue his education if 1) He got straight A's and 2) He paid it back. He did both and now he is committed to "Pay it Forward" through two organizations offering scholarship, opportunity and hope to Costa Rica's future leaders.
This coming Friday on September 11th, a day proclaimed a day of volunteer service in the United States, I will be visiting one of the schools and projects sponsored by AccionJoven.org as part a paper I will be presenting at the World Education Conference in South Africa. Like Costa Rica, South Africa's teachers work with very limited resources and the objective of the conference is to help teachers reach the head and heart of students through creative education. The title of the that paper is "The Hero's Journey from Now to WOW!--Inspiring Super Power Creativity in our Classrooms."
When the depressing headlines of education include classrooms without roofs and for example in Panama, the Minister of Education jailed for allegedly stealing 75 million dollars of the educational budget, it's comforting to know that Hero's are out there. Hero's like Alvaro.
Alvaro's message to young people is one which he attributes to his mother who raised him most of his life as a single parent. "Don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't do anything". His message to teachers is to "be mindful of their role in leading and inspiring a new generation that is changing so fast" adding "if you're a teacher and you don't have truth and passion for your calling, you're done for and your kids are too".
What is Alvaro's message for the other half of Costa Rica -- The 40% of us who may be on a budget but not living in poverty?who might send our children to private school but may well one day be victimized by the child who is not afforded that opportunity? To the business executives who lead a company and in so doing lead other by example?
Sponsor a Student Scholarship. Help provide creative education tools to teachers. Do just one thing for just one student or just one school. Pay it Forward.
For information on sponsorsing a student scholarship or supporting creative education for teachers in Costa Rica,
Contact Rosemary Rein, Ph.D, Faculty Director Now to WOW!TM Learning Adventures
rosemaryrein@gmail.com
www.gowildgogreat.com
I will be happy to connect you with the right school or project including the great people at AccionJoven.org and the Women's Club of Costa Rica which also youth education.
