The University of Georgia Costa Rica 2014-2015 Sustainability Report UGA Costa Rica 2014 - 2015 Sustainability Report | Page 36

Social Sustainability UGA Costa Rica makes a conscious effort to both integrate and serve as a resource to the surrounding community. There are a multitude of ways in which the campus both directly and indirectly involves the surrounding community. UGACR serves as the top employer in the area, providing full time employment for roughly 10% of the San Luis community, including maintenance, security, housekeeping, kitchen and administration staff. Ample opportunities exist for community members to learn English, as well as other subjects. As part of the annual Language and Culture-Service Learning program, now in its 9th year, students participate in a week-long “English Camp” for local elementary school children, developing interactive lessons tying together science, sustainability education, and English lessons. For the past 13 years, UGA Costa Rica volunteer Carol Cameron has held many classes teaching English as a second language for those in the community, totaling over 100 hours in 2014. These classes enabled several 100 36 hours of English classes were taught by volunteer Carol Cameron in 2014. University of Georgia Costa Rica students to complete their English oral exams in order to receive high school diplomas. Furthermore, volunteer Russ Kumai holds classes in mathematics and computers, providing those in the community access to an important resource. In addition to purchasing local food, UGACR also promotes local economic development by selling locally-made artisan crafts in the small tienda, or gift shop, on campus. Locally hand-made jewelry, which often incorporates seeds and other locally-derived materials, locally-made postcards featuring flora and fauna and landscape scenes from Monteverde, gift cards and journals made locally from recycled paper, locally-made natural soaps, lotions, and insect repellants, and ornaments in the form of local birds are examples of the types of local products sold through the gift store. Annually, sales of locally-made products through the gift store contribute approximately $4,183 directly back to the local community. $4,183 in sales from locally-made products sold in the campus tienda, all given back to the community.