Habitat for Humanity
Group to Build Library
in Costa Rica
Education and societal
development often go
hand in hand. Students
from Binghamton
University's chapter of
Habitat for Humanity
recognize that integral
link and are reaching
out to a small,
underprivileged
community in Costa Rica
where they plan to build
a library this coming
January.
Christina Muscatello,
co-president of BU's
Habitat for Humanity and
a graduate of Seton
Catholic Central in
Binghamton, along with
fellow student and
founder of BU's chapter
of Amnesty
International, Rich
Zamore, volunteered
through International
Student Volunteers at El
Yue, a small organic
farm and community
center in Carbon Uno,
Costa Rica, in the
summer of 2006.
El Yue, run by eight
women dedicated to the
reforestation of the
region and healthy
living for community
members, has become a
center for its
community. By raising
and planting more than
5,000 endangered
saplings, the women of
El Yue have worked to
reforest the Telamanca
region of Costa Rica.
The farm began in 1995
as the only successful
organic farm in the
community. Following El
Yue's lead, 60 of the
regions 61 farms have
turned organic. With a
grant from the United
Nations and donations
from International
Student Volunteers, the
farm is now home to a
modest restaurant and
five small cabinas --
small houses for
eco-tourists to vacation
in while they volunteer
on the farm. The farm is
also a place where local
residents gather for
English lessons and
other educational
opportunities.
The future library will
help students further
their education while
helping to maintain the
continued growth of the
region. "While helping
to paint their school in
2006, we recognized a
need for better
educational
opportunities for the
children of Carbon Uno,"
says Muscatello. "The
adults also had a desire
to be better educated on
environmental issues
pertaining to the
region. We wanted to
help. They have made so
many advances already in
their community; we know
that this library will
help further these
efforts."
Upon returning to
Binghamton University in
the fall, the two
students spread the word
about their desire to
build a library in the
Costa Rican town,
setting the wheels in
motion to raise the
$30,000 necessary to
turn their dream into a
reality. Zamore adds,
"The small, two-room
school in the area is
highly under-staffed and
under-stocked. There is
only one textbook for
each grade level and
their current library is
an old book shelf. We
know the students will
benefit from an
additional education
resource."
On Jan. 4, 2008, about
25 members of the
University's Habitat for
Humanity will travel to
Carbon Uno to help build
the structure at El Yue.
In order to raise funds
for this endeavor, they
have arranged for Dr.
Patch Adams, the "clown
doctor" made famous by
Robin Williams'
portrayal in the movie
about him, to host a
two-day fundraiser this
Saturday and Sunday.
Adams, dedicated to
promoting health through
humor and universal
health care, is
scheduled to speak on
"Humor and Health" from
7 to 9 p.m. Saturday in
the University's West
Gym. Funny and
inspirational, Dr. Adams
will discuss his 30-plus
years of medical
clowning experience.
Then on Sunday, from
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
a "Joy of Caring"
workshop will be held in
Lecture Hall One. Adams
will educate
participants on the
thrill of helping
others. The focus of
this workshop is the
magic and power of care,
not only in the
patient's life but also
in the caregiver's. The
talk will also explore
burnout prevention for
caregivers.
There will be a book
signing after both
events with proceeds
from Dr. Adams' books
benefiting his free
clinic, the Gesundheit
Institute, in Arlington,
Va.
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