“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter..." Isaiah 58:6-7

Vidaraiz Mission and Vision in esterillos Oeste, Costa Rica:

Vida Raiz is a wholistic community development program which operates as a training ground for sustainable independence.  Vida Raiz works In Partnership with PuraVidaChurch & Christian Associates international, to share the love of Christ to communities in need of spiritual and physical nourishment.  We invite people to come to the community garden to be encouraged to grow their own food for their own good health while also receiving spiritual nourishment.  We believe that this encouragement will be supported by building authentic relationships, living side by side with the community, and experiencing life together.  

The average semi-skilled Costa Rican makes about $490.00 per month. The high cost of rent

and food make other necessities, like school supplies and clothing very difficult to obtain and

this is also very true in coastal communities where jobs are scarce.

Purpose:

The purpose of VidaRaiz is to encourage and re-introduce the value of growing food organically  (health education), the importance of caring for the earth (sustainable living), to become less reliant on industry (self sufficient), to contribute to the spiritual renewal of the community, and to develop local leaders to sustain the initiative.

Immediate and Long Term Goals:

1.  Identify families in need of physical nourishment.

2. Create a community garden as a training ground to re-introduce the importance of growing your own food.

3.  Implement a "hands on" program where locals can volunteer in the garden. 

4.  Assist community members to create their own raised beds at home.

5. Explore the possibilities of implementing health education programs through local medical clinics.

6. Explore the potential for community supported agriculture (CSA).

7. Explore the possibilities of raising chickens and goats for sustenance.

Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.   -John Wesley