11/25/14

A little bit about Playa Panama!



Playa Panama is located in the northwest coastal region of Guanacaste. Over the past few years, tourism has become the single most important contributor to the region’s economic stability. While surrounding towns tend to be smaller, farming communities, now more than ever, people are looking to find work in Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco and Playa Panama. There are many jobs in hotels, restaurants and touring companies throughout the region, but they are impossible to find without a high proficiency level in English.

Jumpstart Costa Rica works with at-risk youth to give them an opportunity to excel in English before entering high school . The camp in Playa Panama will partner with the Hotel Mangrove and work with students from Sardinal, La Libertad, Playas del Coco and Playa Panama. These students will be better prepared to graduate, and more equipped to find work in a very competitive job market.

Many of these students run the risk of dropping out of school, but Jumpstart shows them how fun and useful learning English can be. The support of parents, teachers and community members is integral to the success of this camp in order to support students in their initiative to learn a language and take control of their futures

Beach clean-up is a focus of these communities! 
 

Students in Fiona's school already learning about dressing up and clothes!
 

The two Peace Corps Volunteers, Fiona and Kane, who will be co-teaching the camp this year.