The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the world in very different ways. In Costa Rica, we are experiencing an economic collapse that is leading to a humanitarian crisis where entire segments of the population cannot afford to feed their families.
In a town like Manuel Antonio, the beautiful beach resort area where Hotel Téva is located, most of the 20,000 residents depend on tourism for their livelihood, specifically the high season months between December and April. With half of this season erased by the pandemic — and with predictions of another 12-18 months before a return to normalcy — hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and supporting industries are all shuttered.
Thousands of workers who already live paycheck to paycheck are now down to their last savings and do not have a solution for feeding themselves and their children, aside from a $220 stipend that the government has promised to certain people who have lost their jobs (though this is not nearly enough to feed a family).
While we know all of you have been impacted by the pandemic (and we send love to all of you who are struggling through your own hardships), we are appealing to those of you who are fortunate enough to still have a paycheck, who still have your health, and who would love to take an adventure to the beaches and jungles of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica when this is all over in exchange for a donation to help feed our community!
