Boruca Children’s Fund Christmas Raffle & Donations

Our article about a trip to Boruca showcased the Boruca peoples’ history, arts & crafts, and current living arrangements in small mountain towns of southern Costa Rica. As we honor the rich traditions of the Boruca people, we must also recognize the challenges many of them face. Living in remote areas and relying on subsistence farming, they often lack access to the opportunities and resources that others take for granted. Despite their dedication and hard work, 87% of local residents live below the poverty line. Parents struggle to provide even the basic necessities for their children—education, healthcare, and daily essentials—let alone small gifts or joyful surprises that brighten a child’s life.

A road leading up to the mountain Boruca villages.

The Boruca people live in beautiful but sometimes isolated, remote and hard-to-reach areas of Costa Rica. The photo was taken on the way to the Boruca village.

The Boruca Children’s Fund is, once again, hoping to improve the lives of the Boruca people and brings some Christmas cheer that everyone deserves. They are aiming, with your help, to provide children with the following this Christmas 2024 season:

1. Christmas Joy: a Christmas gift from Santa.
2. School Necessities: Backpacks, crayons, geometry sets etc.
3. Life Necessities: Sturdy shoes, clothing, a toothbrush & toothpaste.
4. Food Packages: For most in-need families, a weeks’ worth of quality food.

Below we take a quick look at each of the above four aims:

Table of Contents

1. CHRISTMAS JOY

Every child in the Boruca villages knows about Santa Claus and his famous ‘naughty or nice’ list. As they wait with hopeful hearts for a Christmas gift, it’s heartbreaking to imagine any child believing they’ve been naughty simply because their family couldn’t afford one. That’s why the Fund exists—to ensure 598 children in these communities celebrate Christmas 2024 with a small but meaningful gift that reminds them they’ve been truly good. Whether it’s a toy, a ball, a game, or a craft kit, even the simplest surprise can light up a child’s world and make the season unforgettable.

Previous Christmas Joy. Photos by Claudia Langguth.

Christmas Joy in preparation - these toys will bring untold happiness to the local children. — Christmas Joy in preparation – these toys will bring untold happiness to the local children. The Boruca Children’s Fund aims to bring Christmas cheer to 598 local kids this holiday season.

2. SCHOOL NECESSITIES

In Costa Rica, the school year begins in February, and even the smallest villages have access to nearby schools. However, families must provide their children’s school supplies, and without essentials like notebooks, pencils, and uniforms, some children may be excluded from attending. The Boruca Children’s Fund steps in to bridge that gap, ensuring students from pre-school through 6th grade receive the basic materials they need to start the year with dignity, confidence, and the opportunity to learn

Children with their gifts or much-needed school supplies. Photos by Claudia Langguth. — Children with their gifts of much-needed school supplies. Photos by Claudia Langguth.

Last year’s drive allowed 259 children to receive the basic school materials so they would not be excluded from education. The types of material required for young students:

3. LIFE NECESSITIES

The Boruca people rely on walking to get everywhere, often covering long distances through rugged terrain—and their children do the same. For them, a sturdy pair of shoes can mean the difference between attending school or staying home. Proper clothing matters just as much, especially when cold winds and rain sweep through the mountain villages. Even something as simple as a toothbrush and toothpaste plays a vital role, helping keep their young smiles healthy and strong. Small essentials like these carry enormous impact in daily life.

The Fund’s aim is to provide 598 children with a package which contains the life necessities PLUS the small Christmas Joy gift. The types of Life Necessities we require are:

4. FOOD PACKAGES

The food staples will be distributed to most needing families. Last year 50 such food packages were provided while this year the Fund hopes to bring this number up to 75 Food Packages. The fund also put together smaller ‘treat bags’ with apples, grapes, candy and a sticker – last year, 150 Treat Bags were distributed to the happy children, and they plan to continue this tradition in 2024.

Food packages of staples such as rice, milk and cooking oil.

35 DAYS OF JOY RAFFLE IN SUPPORT OF THE BORUCA COMMUNITY

This raffle campaign plays a vital role in making sure children in Boruca communities receive Christmas gifts, school supplies, essential items like clothing and toothpaste, and nourishing food. You can purchase tickets online now, with in-person options coming soon. Daily draws take place at 6:00 PM, and every ticket stays in play until it wins or the raffle ends on December 14. There are some amazing prizes – including the GRANDE PRIZE, a 55 inch Smart TV donated by RE/MAX WE SELL PARADISE.

Winners are announced on the Boruca Children’s Fund Facebook page – here. To buy raffle tickets, message Cami via the fund’s Facebook page, or message her on WhatsApp – +506 8986 5210.

RE/MAX We Sell Paradise team has graciously donated the Grande Prize - a 55 inch Smart TV. — RE/MAX We Sell Paradise team has graciously donated the Grande Prize – a 55 inch Smart TV.

CHRISTMAS 2024 DRIVE

Boruca’s Children’s Fund maintains detailed records of individual families and their specific needs. By reaching out through the contact information below, supporters can receive personalized wish lists that include the child’s age, gender, clothing sizes, and other essentials. This allows donors not only to contribute financially but also to select and send a meaningful gift tailored to a particular family’s situation.

CONTACT DETAILS AND FURTHER INFORMATION

To learn more about the Boruca people and their culture, click here to visit the official Boruca people website.

To contact the Boruca Children’s Fund:

WHATSAPP: +506 8986 5210
EMAIL: donate@borucachildrensfund.com
WEB: https://borucachildrensfund.com/home

DONATIONS

Please consider donating to the Boruca Children’s Fund. Volunteers organize and run this drive without collecting any administrative fees. Every dollar goes directly toward Christmas gifts, school supplies, and food for Boruca families. Your support makes a real difference—thank you!

Strategizing - this is a restaurant attached to the local museum in Boruca village. — Boruca Children’s Fund engaging with the local community – there is a lot of planning and strategizing required! This is a restaurant attached to the local museum in Boruca village.

Cash donations to the Boruca Children’s Fund are deeply appreciated and go directly toward purchasing Christmas gifts, essential school supplies, daily necessities, and food for families in need. For those who prefer a more personal connection, there’s also the option to sponsor a child or family directly.

MONEY DONATIONS:

Donations via ZELLE – use this email: throwlikeagirlmovie@yahoo.com
Donations via SINPE – use this number: +506 8986 5210 (for Costa Rican residents).
Donations via VENMO – follow this link.
Donations via CASH – please drop off the cash donation, between Monday and Friday, at the Los Laureles Restaurant in Uvita – location link can be accessed here.

ITEM DONATIONS:

To shop for specific items for a Boruca family or Boruca children, please contact the Boruca Children’s Fund for gender, ages and sizes of the kids as well as other needs such as clothing. The items can then be dropped off, between Monday and Friday, at the Los Laureles Restaurant in Uvita – location link can be accessed here.
Kindly bring any gently-used, adult-sized clothing you’d like to donate for the “free thrift store” part of the adults Christmas party to the Los Laureles Restaurant in Uvita between Monday and Friday.

The Boruca Children's Fund happily converting money donations into much needed food staples, clothing, school supplies, and Christmas Joy gifts for hundreds of children in the Boruca villages. — The Boruca Children’s Fund happily converting money donations into much needed food staples, clothing, school supplies, and Christmas Joy gifts for hundreds of children in the Boruca villages.

BORUCA KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY FUNDRAISER!

With the support of Los Laureles Restaurant in Uvita, the Boruca Children’s Fund is hosting a one-of-a-kind fundraiser where you can craft your very own Boruca mask—a vibrant symbol of indigenous Costa Rican heritage. All materials will be provided, allowing you to create a meaningful piece of cultural art, guided by tradition and creativity. Each mask will measure between 16–18 cm tall, making it a perfect keepsake or gift.

📅 Event Date: Saturday, December 07
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM
💰 Donation: $50 USD or 25,000 Colones (cash only)

This hands-on experience not only supports Boruca children but also connects you to the spirit of a community known for its resilience and artistry.

For more information, follow this link.

Boruca masks ready for the artistic touch of local Costa Ballena residents, in support of the children living in the Boruca villages.

Make your own special, unique and meaningful BORUCA mask - all the while helping Boruca children celebrate a joyful Christmas! — Make your own special, unique and meaningful BORUCA MASK – all the while helping Boruca children celebrate a joyful Christmas!

ABOUT THE BORUCA CHILDREN’S FUND

The Boruca Children’s Fund traces its roots back over 22 years to the tireless work of Claudia Langguth, whose deep commitment to the Boruca people helped build a legacy of compassion and empowerment. Claudia’s passing on October 4, 2023, left a profound void—but in the midst of grief and uncertainty, Cami stepped forward. In just a few whirlwind weeks, she managed to organize the 2023 Christmas support effort with grace and determination, ensuring that the children of Boruca still received the joy and dignity they deserved during the holiday season. Her heartfelt video, in which she explains the circumstances of her role and gives a background to the efforts of the fund, can be watched here.

Claudia Langguth, who started the Boruca Children's Fund 22 years ago, looking over the pre-Colombian stone sphere at a museum in Boruca village. — Claudia Langguth, who started the Boruca Children’s Fund 22 years ago, looking over the pre-Colombian stone sphere at a museum in Boruca village.

PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE BORUCA VILLAGE

An artesian market in Boruca where masks, carvings, and hand-woven textiles are sold. In other locations you can also buy local coffee beans, various locally grown foods, drums, and other crafted items. — An artesian market in Boruca where masks, carvings, and hand-woven textiles are sold. In other locations you can also buy local coffee beans, various locally grown foods, drums, hand-woven textiles, and other crafted items.

Masks come in many motifs, colours and sizes.

The beautiful hand-carved and hand-painted masks. — The brilliant and mesmerizing hand-carved and hand-painted masks.

Beautiful artwork livens up every corner of Boruca.

A museum in the Boruca village. You can just make out an original stone sphere visible inside the thatched museum building.

THANK YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Communities coming together is something that happens often in our area – whether an organized beach cleanup, an effort to remove a fallen tree or rebuild a washed away bridge, a neighborhood fair or celebration, or a charity drive to help families during the Christmas time, local residents, visitors and expats are always ready to come out and lend helping hand. Would you fit right in here? We think so! While you browse the local properties available in our area, know that RE/MAX WE SELL PARADISE is your trusted partner in the South Pacific corner of Costa Rica.