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Nutrition and Health - Program 2023

Cerro Azul Primary School

Nutrition and Health Program

The indigenous people of Costa Rica, have not shared in the benefits of Costa Rica’s development. They have higher infant, child, and general mortality rates and higher rates of malnutrition and infectious disease than the general population.

Contributing to these problems are the geographic isolation and poor land of many indigenous reservations, lack of infrastructure, spread-out villages, and pollution from banana plantations that are close to some reservations.

Our Indigenous children in Costa Rica are disproportionately affected by nutrition-related chronic diseases such asdiabetes, hyperten- sion, stroke, and cancers due deficiency of protein and energy during infancy.

Food is the key reason why children attend school in Costa Rica’s Indigenous villages. Their sole daily meal consists of one tortilla with salt, food is rationed due to poverty. There is not enough food for everyone in the family. Therefore, a school providing a meal is a big push for parents to send their children avoiding child labor at the same time. At school, children receive a small lunch, such as a small portion of rice or a tortilla. 

Thanks to Mr. John Shoust from Toronto Canada, who has been working with Cerro Azul School, we were able to improve the student’s diet during March, April and May 2023 with his donation for $300 us.  If you want to collaborate with this initiative please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Testimonial

  • Thank you so much for this opportunity to intern for and work for RJI. I had a wonderful time learning from you. Thank you for this amazing experience in the beautiful Costa Rica!


    Alice Liao, Michigan University.

  • RJI`s list of achievements is long and their impact within the youth and development arena in Central America is extensive.


    Sandra Eastwood, International Programs Manager, Youth Challenge Australia.-

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    Virginia S. Williams, Associate Professor of History, Winthrop University, EEUU.

  • Earth Charter International has been extremely happy with RJI’s level of commitment to promote sustainability issues in their work in Central America. They put the Earth Charter comprehensively in action!


    Jaana Laitinen, International Youth Facilitator, Earth Charter International

  • RJI is a great agency to work with. This organization lives its mission, following its core values with great tenacity


    Bob Miller, Profesor of Social Work, UMichigan

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