Doña Marta Miranda died of ovarian cancer in early December, leaving three boys, Andrés, Ariel and Cocorí (an orphaned grandchild). Her friend Andrea, a fellow widow who had teamed up with Marta about 3 years ago in their struggle against poverty and severe health problems, now has custody of the children, along with her own 3-year-old girl, is doing her best with occasional cleaning and washing and some modest government assistance.
In Costa Rica, back-to-school comes at the beginning of February every year. The public schools require uniforms and send a list of the supplies that each child must bring to school. This year the prices have gone up significantly, and adds up to nearly $500 for the 3 boys. Andrea hopes to be able to buy soon, as the prices tend to go up as the first day of school approaches.
Many people out there accompanied us through our support of Marta and Andrea over the last 3 years. It became too much for us, as they had literally no income of their own, and we helped little during the last part of 2022.
We are doing this campaign for this one very specific thing. We may continue to help Andrea occasionally for other specific needs, but not continually as before. Her life has now (relatively) stabilized and she is on the government agencies' radar. We invite you to help Andrés, Ariel and Cocorí go back to school.
Andrés wants to become a doctor who will help not just the people with money to pay, and Ariel wants to be a lawyer who will help people in need. Cocorí is not quite 6 and doesn't know exactly how, but he wants to help people when he grows up to, he says.
