Summer 2011

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Go Local!
Local children. Local families. Local churches.
Five Reasons Why It’s Important to Go Local:

1 It tastes better. We know and understand this in the

tropics— it’s pretty difficult to eat bananas in Chicago
when you’ve experienced them in Costa Rica. Locally
grown solutions are closer to the heart of the community,
the touch and feel of the neighborhood. Children learn to
live as part of their community, not separate.

2
It costs less. The international community knows that
you can find most anything in Costa Rican markets these
days, you will just have to pay the price for the imported
goods. Local solutions for children are significantly less
expensive—no buildings to build, no major investments to
protect. The value is in the people, not the facilities.

3 It shifts the responsibility. The local government has the

legal responsibility, the local church holds the Biblical
responsibility for children in need. Local solutions allow
outside help to work behind the scenes—encouraging
and motivating, but keeps outside influences from
assuming all responsibility.

4 It opens up spaces for God to act. We believe in the

spiritual discipline of hospitality, we recognize that God
flows into situations where we welcome the stranger in
the name of Christ. We have countless stories where
opening a front door has led to the transformation of not
just children, but of the Casa Viva families, churches
and others.

5
It connects children to living communities of people.
Healthy families are connected to communities—their
work, their church, their neighborhood. When a child
needing care enters the family community, they gain
access to the scope of their alliances. They become
known, their names and stories become specific, and their
futures shine brighter.
 Marcos
Yery
Nuria
Eduardo
Carlos
All the Elements for Life A Picture of the Casa Viva Solution Lupita
Farming takes vision and faith. From day one, all the work is Alexander
done with the harvest in mind. Our pioneering vision? Fernando
To see a pivotal shift take place in the care of children who God’s Design Miguel
do not have a safe place to sleep. Our dream is to see those
children connected with local families who are connected to
That we should care for widows and orphans is God’s idea.
He sees those on the margins, children in danger, and asks Karina
local churches. Casa Viva set this work in motion over seven his people to see them too. “God places the lonely in The Child’s Biological Henry
years ago to begin clearing a small plot of land. families.”- Psalm 68 vs. 6
Family Liliana
A Local Church If God can transform this Sara
Test the Soil God calls his people to be a
family, and the child can be Hazel
You have to know what will grow. Our body of believers that make a
restored back to her own
family, everybody wins. Alejandro
local staff started an organic process of
understanding what the unique elements would
difference in the world,
people who are salt and light.
Ruth
be to care for children in families in Costa José
Rica. Our pilot started to take root, and as it
did—we watched and tweaked and listened and
Manuel
discussed and learned together. Carmen
Tatiana
Local Government Oscar
A Local Family
They are the solution. Their key
Casa Viva both respects our Norma
Clear the Land is an unwavering commitment to
partners in child welfare, and
encourages them to act in the
Virginia
Ever worked to remove a big tree stump from a plant a seed of hope in the heart best interests of children. Luis
field? It’s a process. Deeply entrenched root systems
spread out along lines you didn’t imagine existed.
of a child. The child’s greatest
need is connection, and our Grettel
Policies and protocols. Philosophies and research. families have plenty to give. Valeria
Work on the frontier isn’t easy—every issue becomes Milton
a question, every difficulty a discussion that needs
resolution. Our biggest obstacle? Inserting a new
Ricardo
solution into old ways of thinking. Marvin
The Seed Providers Cristian
A Local Staff
Jesus didn’t go to the lofty
Pioneering efforts require an
investment. Together with you, Yolanda
places. He went to the we are providing enough Tannia
streets, to the fishermen and momentum to allow a local Steven
Plant for the Harvest tax collectors. Jesus was the solution to flourish.
Danilo
The story of Casa Viva is long and involved, it quintessential “local.”
twists and it turns, but the answer is YES. Pedro
Yes to engaging churches on behalf of children.
God Brings the Growth Monica

Casa Viva is the

Yes to inviting families to open their front doors.
Yes to working with the local government. In the end, the essential elements remain in God’s hands – the sun and rain Marielos
Yes to connecting children to families in the and wind. We work diligently, professionally and with love, but it is God Susana
name of Christ. Yes. Yes. Yes. who brings about transformation. It’s always a sense of joining with God to
Patricia
Remarkably, Casa Viva is accomplish His purposes, and being amazed by the life He creates.
Marianela
the only foster care program These names are just a few of
the children, families, church
Adrián
coordinators, government Marta
By Jill Aspegren in all of Central America. partners, biological families and
staff of Casa Viva Costa Rica.
Diandra
Mayra
 “She’s delightful!”
A Profile of One of Our Favorite Locals
Her smile says it all. She’s traveled the Casa Viva journey from almost the
beginning. She leads our holistic care team as they do it all—supervising the care
of children, walking alongside the Casa Viva families, encouraging the biological
families, engaging the church response, and interacting with the local government
offices. She’s standing on the edge of a whole new world of care for children in
her region. She can see it off in the distance and daily makes the choice to plant
the seeds, care for the young growth, and hope for the harvest. Her name is Sonia
Barrientos, and we’re thrilled to have her on our team.

Follow the Local News

Walk with Us Daily on the Casa Viva Blogs

Casa Viva
Costa Rica Casa Viva Greenhouse
Follow the stories of children, families, churches Working with children at risk is first a
and the Casa Viva staff as we put into practice the spiritual work. Examine your own heart
paradigm shifting ideas of Casa Viva. and be refreshed for the journey.
cvcr.casaviva.org www.casavivagreenhouse.org

Seed the Local Solution 35%

In 2011, Casa Viva Costa Rica will achieve a major Local Government
52%
milestone – the majority of our funding will come Casa Viva International
from local Costa Rican sources instead of international Sources
12%
sources. That’s thrilling. Costa Rica Local Churches

However, the dollar amount represented in the 43% 2010 Actual

for 2011 is still larger than the need from the year 1%
Local Donations
before, because the whole pie keeps growing as we care
for more children. 33%
Local Government
Would you consider a special gift to partner with Casa
Viva as we create an entirely new, local solution for Casa Viva 43%
International
children separated from their own families? Costa Rica Sources 18%
Local Churches
We thank you for partnering with us for the children. 2011 Budget
6%
Local Donations

P.O. Box 120

Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 427-4040
info@casaviva.org
Follow the Casa Viva Blogs.
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Visit the New Casa Viva Web Site.
www.casaviva.org