By Hanna Luong, referenced in Summer 2011

San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is a modern city. It is home to the University of Costa Rica, modern architecture and many cultural exhibitions, and is ranked highly among Latin American countries for standard of living. However, if you venture into Los Cuadros, an outer district of San José, found quite a way up the mountains, you would find single mothers and young women travelling long distances from their homes to sew for less than minimum wage at jobs with nearly non-existent benefits. The hours are long and the conditions are hard. These women know how to sew; some of them even have degrees. What they do not have is the opportunity to work for a fair wage. Until now.In late 2010, Rev. Bill Green of the Pacto de Gracia Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Costa Rica, approached Word & Deed about supporting a Sewing Project in Los Cuadros, Costa Rica. He suggested that several families of a Pacto de Gracia church plant in Los Cuadros would benefit immensely from a project that would provide them with the start-up materials they need in order to become self-employed. Word & Deed agreed, and in early 2011 a project agreement was signed. Word & Deed is committed to providing our brothers and sisters of the Los Cuadros church with $3,000 in start-up capital for cloth and funds to repair sewing machines that were purchased many years ago (and have since deteriorated significantly). These initial steps will be the beginning of a sewing cooperative for several families in this church. It is our hope and prayer that these initial efforts towards establishing a sewing cooperative will develop over the coming years into an ever increasing source of income for the members of this church.In addition to the need for a fair income for abandoned mothers, some of the greatest needs of the believers in this violent and drug-infested neighborhood are stability for families, guidance for youth, and resistance against the drug trade. May the congregants of the Reformed church of Los Cuadros be blessed by both our prayers and our support as they seek to function as lights in this dark community. 

Children from the church at Los Cuadros participating in Vacation Bible School.

Hanna Luong is the administrative assistant at Word & Deed Canada.