Active Initiative:

The Mastate Charitable Foundation

The Mastate Charitable Foundation (MCF) is located in the rural community of Mastatal, Costa Rica. MCF was founded in 2004 to advance benevolent, educational, sustainable and scientific efforts in challenged areas in and around the Mastatal community and La Cangreja National Park.

The Mastate Charitable Foundation (MCF) works in and around the rural community of Mastatal, Costa Rica. MCF was founded in 2004 to advance benevolent, educational, sustainable and scientific efforts in challenged areas in this region of Central America.

Mastatal is a two and a half hour drive from San José, the capital. It is a community still based in part on subsistence agriculture and has been preserved and protected largely by the demanding topography of its region. In some ways visiting Mastatal is like stepping back in time. Events happen slowly, thoughtfully, with a bit of planning and as the locals say, “thanks to luck or God”.

On the other hand, progress marches on in Mastatal. It now boasts a road that is passable year-round, entrepreneurial endeavors steeped in environmentalism and sustainability, electricity in most homes, clean public water, and the La Cangreja National Park in its backyard with its stunning, mostly intact rainforest.

To date, the relatively poor community has been able to avoid many of the pitfalls that oftentimes result from growth. And like most humans, Mastataleños (residents of Mastatal) want their quality of life to continue improving. Local community members can choose one of many paths in their continuing quest to better their community. MCF, along with its projects, strive to facilitate the empowerment of the people in this region.

Since 2004, MCF has funded a wide array of community improvement projects including the renovation of the town’s community center and secondary school, the installation of new roofs and solar electric systems on houses lived in by low-income residents, the ongoing maintenance of the town’s soccer field, the building of a community library, and seed capital for new agricultural efforts.

In addition, MCF has sponsored educational scholarships and opportunities for local youth and adults, facilitated debt reduction efforts for the town government, paid for funeral expenses for low-income families, hosted yearly community medical clinics and bi-annual spay and neuter clinics, supported local beekeepers and farmers, promoted local sports and public safety, and much more.

We’re grateful to be able to provide financial resources to and be a source of help for our community. Each year we have a better understanding of how we can make a positive impact in our region.

Thank you so much for your support and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our work.

Contact

Website: https://ranchomastatal.com/

Timothy O’Hara
Mastate Charitable Foundation Project Leader
timothy.sean.ohara@gmail.com

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