Valeria Moreno's Education Opportunity
Hello my dear Earth Angels,
I am still at a loss of words. I am so grateful for all your generosity and kindness. You all have open a door for Valeria, giving her an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and become educated. Something many of us have taken for granted. But clearly, yall do not. I am so grateful that you see and understand the value of education. Even though I am no longer a practicing educator, it’s still something that I value and hold close to my heart.
When I first met Valeria and her mother Catia, they welcomed me in their home with open arms. Valeria was still in diapers and just had started walking. Even though there was a language barrier, I was still treated with love, and as one of the family. My goal was to have Catia not worry about Valeria’s education. You ALL have made this possible. Catia wanted me to tell you, “Thank you from the bottom of her heart” And “Gallo pinto to all” who come and visit. She can’t believe that perfect strangers would give such a priceless and valuable gift to her daughter. She is forever grateful.
This is a picture of Valeria on her first day at school last week. When I spoke to Valeria, she had an exciting and overwhelming (a very good overwhelming) first week. She said she loved her English class. She is also going to be learning French, which she loves the idea of, but nervous to learn a new language. At the public school she previously attended, they only had 5 subjects. Now she has 7. The workload will take time to adjust but she is excited to get into a routine. For now, Centro Educativo Católico is doing half the week in school and the other half virtual. I have pasted the link to the school at the bottom of this post if you’re interested to see the school snd their students. When I asked Valeria what she is Valeria is most excited to learn English better and make new friends.
Your donations have covered her uniforms (regular and PE), the matriculation fee, school supplies for the year, books for the year, and 7 MONTHS of TUITION! THIS IS HUGE!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for making such a huge difference.
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. This means so much to us, because I consider them my family. I will send another update in 3 months on her progress. Sending all my love, prayers, good vibes, and happiness in the world to y’all.
Sarah, Catia, and Valeria.
https://m.facebook.com/CECMVGS/
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Friends,
This is for Valeria Moreno. She is starting 7th grade starting in February of 2021 in Costa Rica. With your help, you can make a difference in her life by giving her the gift of education. In Costa Rica, school is mandatory (free) until the 6th grade. As a former teacher, education is something that is priceless, but actually does come with a price.My goal is to raise money for her high school career (7th grade-11th grade). I would like for her to attend a small Catholic school called Centro Educativo Católico Monseñor Vittorino Girardi Stellin located in Huacas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Most of you know a little about my journey. In 2010, I went to study abroad in Costa Rica for 4 months. I was randomly (but God knew what he was doing) placed in a home with a single mother with two children. Her main source of income is hosting students from the Spanish School, CPI in Playa Flamingo, which was about $200 a month WHEN there were students for her to host. I was immediately welcomed in their home with open arms. Rebecaa (the mother), her son Manrique (10 years old), and daughter Valeria (14 months) became my family. Valeria instantaneously had my heart. She was the sweetest, kindest, and most loving child. We would dance, sing, laugh, play outside, and she would teach ME Spanish. I felt lucky to be a part of her life. Living standards are very basic in Costa Rica. Theirs consists of running water (but no hot water), no air conditioner (and it gets HOT!), no WIFI, and basic appliance (forget the dishwasher, microwave, or a stove). They taught me to live simplistically and gave me a new outlook on life. I stayed in their home for a few months while they attempted to teach me Spanish. There were moments of confusion since they didn’t speak English, but Rebecca kept the atmosphere very light and humorous. Hand gestures will get you VERY far when learning a new language. I was engulfed with love, laughter, exposed to new foods, new culture. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, it was one of the purest and most cherished time frames of my life.
The next year in 2011, I permanently moved to Costa Rica. I had an apartment within a 5-minute walking distance to Rebecaa’s home. They were my family away from my family. During the next 7 years, I had the pleasure of watching Valeria and Manrique grow up and I was able to spend a lot of time with them. They loved to have me over for meals and we continued my Spanish lessons for free. When I bought my first car, I made a point to be able to take them places since they didn’t have one. We would go to the grocery store and to the doctors when needed. I would take Valeria to the barn where I rode so she could ride the ponies and play with the barn turkey. When my parents would visit, they would bring so much stuff, (bless them) that I would order things off Amazon to fulfill birthday and Christmas wishes and needs. In 2014, I was in between apartments and Rebecca allowed me to moved back in with them. I stayed for 6 months and I felt like I moved home. During that time, I was helping Valeria with her school work, learning to cook Costa Rican foods, going to the beach and watching sunsets with them, and I started teaching Valeria English. Learning English is a HUGE ticket to kid’s futures in Costa Rica.
YOU AND I have INCREDIBLE luck to be born and grow up in first world countries with advancing amenities, unlimited educational opportunities, a chance to have job advancements, and so much more. I don’t have to think long to know that I have more blessings in life than I do problems. Currently with the pandemic, there aren't many travelers/students so times are very, VERY tough for Rebecaa as there are no students to host.
My goal is to raise as much money as I can for Valeria to be able to attend the Catholic school for 5 years. Any contribution is greatly appreciated and NO contribution is too small. If you don’t want to use the GoFundMe, Venmo is free and I can transfer the money into her education account. I am so hopeful and excited that she will have this incredible opportunity. Rebecaa’s main concern is the monthly payment of $168 each month, which I will gladly pay throughout her 5 years of tuition. There is no website for this school but this is the Face Book page (https://www.facebook.com/CECMVGS/).
Below is the amount that each year will cost. Whoever chooses donates, I will GLADLY send updated pictures and videos of Valeria each quarter so you will see how her life, her English, and education is advancing. I plan on making a trip in February to have everything set up for her and that she is ready to start this incredible chapter she so well deserves. Thank you for your time and consideration. I will send this out quarterly incase we don't reach our goal because I am determined to make a better future for Valeria. Merry Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Sarah Allison
7th Grade Tuition Fees:
Matriculation – One-Time Fee
92,400 colones - $153.00
Monthly Tuition Fee
101,640 colones - $168.00
1,219,680 colones (year)- $2016.00
Books- Annual Fee
72,000 colones- $119.00
School Materials- Annual Fee
25,000 colones- $42.00
Uniform (Would like to have 3 of each for the year.)- Annual Fee
· Uniform Shirt
11,500 colones- $19.00 X 3 = $57.00
· Uniform Skirt
12,500 colones- $21.00 X 3 = $63.00
· PE Uniform
10,000 colones - $16.50 X 3 = $49.50
Total: $2499.50 for 7th Grade Year
8th Grade Tuition Fees:
Monthly Tuition Fee
101,640 colones - $168.00
1,219,680 colones (year)- $2016.00
Books- Annual Fee
72,000 colones- $119.00
School Materials- Annual Fee
25,000 colones- $42.00
Uniform (Would like to have 3 of each for the year.)- Annual Fee
· Uniform Shirt
11,500 colones- $19.00 X 3 = $57.00
· Uniform Skirt
12,500 colones- $21.00 X 3 = $63.00
· PE Uniform
10,000 colones - $16.50 X 3 = $49.50
Total: $2346.00 for 8th Grade Year
9th Grade Tuition Fees:
Monthly Tuition Fee
101,640 colones - $168.00
1,219,680 colones (year)- $2016.00
Books- Annual Fee
72,000 colones- $119.00
School Materials- Annual Fee
25,000 colones- $42.00
Uniform (Would like to have 3 of each for the year.)- Annual Fee
· Uniform Shirt
11,500 colones- $19.00 X 3 = $57.00
· Uniform Skirt
12,500 colones- $21.00 X 3 = $63.00
· PE Uniform
10,000 colones - $16.50 X 3 = $49.50
Total: $2346.00 for 9th Grade Year
10th Grade Tuition Fees:
Monthly Tuition Fee
101,640 colones - $168.00
1,219,680 colones (year)- $2016.00
Books- Annual Fee
72,000 colones- $119.00
School Materials- Annual Fee
25,000 colones- $42.00
Uniform (Would like to have 3 of each for the year.)- Annual Fee
· Uniform Shirt
11,500 colones- $19.00 X 3 = $57.00
· Uniform Skirt
12,500 colones- $21.00 X 3 = $63.00
· PE Uniform
10,000 colones - $16.50 X 3 = $49.50
Total: $2346.00 for 10th Grade Year
11th Grade Tuition Fees:
Monthly Tuition Fee
101,640 colones - $168.00
1,219,680 colones (year)- $2016.00
Books- Annual Fee
72,000 colones- $119.00
School Materials- Annual Fee
25,000 colones- $42.00
Uniform (Would like to have 3 of each for the year.)- Annual Fee
· Uniform Shirt
11,500 colones- $19.00 X 3 = $57.00
· Uniform Skirt
12,500 colones- $21.00 X 3 = $63.00
· PE Uniform
10,000 colones - $16.50 X 3 = $49.50
Total: $2346.00 for 11th Grade Year
Total Amount for 5 Years of Private Education for Valeria Moreno is$11.885.50 .
I rounded the GoFundMe to $12,000.00 to also cover the cost for transportation. This total amount is about $200 a month for 5 years. Which also includes a lifetime of life opportunities for her.
