The Program
The intention of CREAR is to fill a gap in the development opportunities for the youth of rural, Sámara, Costa Rica, who currently have few resources outside of the limited school hours. (A typical school day is only 4 hours long.) We currently work in both of the local elementary schools, El Torito and Sámara Center; teaching up to 150 children each week, in grades two through six.
Although good primary and secondary schools do exist, both private and public, at the end of the school day most children are left to their own devices, often without adequate supervision, as most parents must work full time to maintain their families. Our program occupies the children’s free time not simply with fun activities, but rather with a true opportunity to develop artistic creativity, English language development, environmental awareness and computer skills, which are not otherwise available to them. This program thus provides the children with new learning opportunities that not only enhance their own educational and personal growth, but that of the town’s future.
See our Mission and Vision on our Homepage for more information.
Who We Are
La Asociacion CREAR is made possible by all who help us. The businesses and individuals who help financially, the volunteers, (link to volunteer page) the community support and community participants all make CREAR the success that it is, that it has been and that it will continue to be. If you would like to help, please click here.
The Coordinators
The coordinators of CREAR head up all program development, fundraising projects, volunteer recruitment, librarian duties, and administrative responsibilities. And most importantly, they are the ones in the classrooms and after school programs every day.
Lindsay LaVelle (insert photo here)
Lindsay was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and then moved to New York City as a teenager. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Eugene Lang College of The New School and her Master’s in Teaching from Pace University. She was a New York City Teaching Fellow and worked with children and adolescents as a Special Education teacher in the Bronx, NY before moving to Costa Rica in 2007. She speaks English and Spanish. In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys yoga, dancing, reading and traveling.
Andrea Keith (insert photo here)
Andrea is originally from Texas, where she attended Austin College and graduated with a dual degree in Psychology and Spanish. During her third year at Austin College she attended La Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica and taught English. She returned to Costa Rica in January of 2008 to perform a research project on the relationship between tourism and the local culture of Costa Rica. After graduation, Andrea worked as a translator and case manager for a non-profit organization in Houston that provided care for adults with developmental disabilities. In her free time, Andrea likes walking, bike riding, cooking, reading, and traveling.
CREAR Founding Members
María Schwab, Luís Díaz Gómez, Laura Ellington, Tyrone Jackson, Gabriela Pérez C., Guillermo Alvarez
Current Administrative Team:
Andrea Keith, Lindsay LaVelle, Laura Ellington, Paola Hernandez, Gabriela Pérez C.
Adjunct Teaching Staff:
Luís Díaz Gómez: Horticulture and woodwork
Kattia Palma: Jewelry Making
M. Fernanda Gálvez: Studio Arts
Gabriela Pérez C.: Environmental education & Tutoring
Tyrone Jackson: Technology & Sports/Physical Education
Karol Castro-Leal : Dance
Lázaro Rocha: Music
Xinia Caravaca: Culinary Arts
Colaborators:
Guadalupe Urbina: Musician, folklorist and performer
Carlos Loría: Musician and performer
