About This Project
Introduction to the Metaproblem
The larger issue that El Puente–The Bridge seeks to address is the cycle of poverty, violence, and social exclusion faced by the Bribri and other marginalized communities in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica.
While the area is celebrated for its cultural richness and natural beauty, many residents—particularly women and children—live with food insecurity, inadequate housing, and limited access to education or stable employment.
These material conditions are compounded by experiences of violence, abuse, and systemic neglect that undermine both personal safety and community well-being.
The metaproblem, therefore, extends beyond economic deprivation—it is rooted in structural inequities that leave people vulnerable, disempowered, and without spaces of dignity and security.
El Puente addresses this challenge by fostering resilience, providing a safe and welcoming environment, and supporting individuals as they discover their own resources and pathways toward self-sufficiency.
Core Problem in the Bioregion
In the Talamanca region, systemic inequities manifest in acute local challenges that threaten both community well-being and long-term sustainability.
- Many Bribri families face chronic food insecurity, precarious housing, and limited access to education.
- Women and children are disproportionately affected by cycles of violence, abuse, and exclusion from formal employment.
- Although tourism brings economic opportunities, it also deepens social divides, often prioritizing outside interests over local needs and traditions.
These pressures strain Indigenous cultural resilience, reinforce inequality, and perpetuate intergenerational poverty. Without inclusive, community-driven solutions, the region remains vulnerable to ongoing marginalization and instability.
Proposed Solution
El Puente–The Bridge creates a safe, welcoming space where dignity, security, and empowerment are central.
Unlike short-term aid models, El Puente focuses on building self-sufficiency by encouraging individuals to discover and share their own resources.
Through initiatives such as:
- Daily community meals
- Educational support for children
- Leadership opportunities for women
- Cultural exchanges with visitors
El Puente provides immediate relief from hunger and insecurity while fostering long-term resilience.
This holistic and community-driven approach is innovative because it integrates material support with empowerment—ensuring that solutions emerge from the strengths and capacities of the Bribri community itself.
What Makes it Unique
El Puente’s model stands out because it does not treat the Bribri community as passive recipients of charity, but as active agents of change.
Rather than focusing solely on aid, the organization emphasizes dignity, empowerment, and self-sufficiency, ensuring that every solution is both sustainable and culturally grounded.
Its model blends:
- Immediate support (meals, educational opportunities, safe spaces)
- Long-term capacity building (skills training, leadership development, cultural exchange)
By centering local voices and creating an inclusive environment where Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and migrant populations can come together, El Puente truly bridges divides that are often overlooked in traditional development models.
This approach is unique because it addresses both urgent needs and systemic barriers, while affirming the community’s own strengths, resources, and culture as the foundation for lasting change.
Why People Should Donate
Donating to El Puente supports regeneration, justice, and peace in communities experiencing the frontlines of climate change.
Every contribution helps provide:
- Daily meals for children and families
- School supplies and educational support
- Safe spaces for women and youth
- Community programs that foster leadership and resilience
Without sustained support, many Bribri families remain trapped in cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
By donating, you are not just giving aid—you are investing in dignity, empowerment, and a thriving future where the community’s strengths can flourish.
Call to Action
Join us in building a future of dignity and resilience for the Bribri community.
Your support makes it possible to provide daily meals, safe spaces, and opportunities for education and empowerment.
Donate today and be part of the bridge that transforms lives.
Daily Community Meals Expansion
Safe Learning & Education Center Upgrade
Renovate and equip El Puente’s learning space to support after-school tutoring, homework help, early-childhood support, and safe spaces for children experiencing violence or instability at home.
Budget Requirements & Outcomes
- **Re
Women’s Empowerment & Skills Program
Launch a women-led empowerment program focusing on income-generation, leadership development, trauma-informed support, and cultural preservation. The program includes workshops, materials, and mentorship sessions.
**Budget Requirements & O
Community Resilience Garden & Food Sovereignty Initiative
Establish a community garden to strengthen food sovereignty, provide fresh produce for families, and offer hands-on learning for children and women. This includes land preparation, tools, seeds, and training with local agroecology practitioners.
Cultural Exchange & Community Integration Hub
Create a dedicated space for cultural exchange between Indigenous Bribri families, Afro-Caribbean residents, migrants, and visitors. The hub will host cultural nights, language sessions, community dialogues, and healing gatherings.
**Budge
Sustainability & Scaling
In this final phase, El Puente will ensure program sustainability by training community leaders, documenting best practices, and forming partnerships for long-term funding and expansion. The goal is to transition key responsibilities to local lea
El Puente
El Puente aims to provide a safe and welcoming space where all are treated with dignity, and are encouraged to discover and share their own resources. El Puente envisions a world that works for everyone. A world where no one has to go to bed hungry or sleep out in the rain; where children don’t feel afraid; and where abuse is a thing of the past. We are dedicated to empowering people to discover their own resources on their journey towards self-sufficiency.
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