President Arias Plays Santa
Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias Sanchez, announced yesterday that he will donate a portion of salary to social institutions and associations.

The president said that he will be donate some ¢962.000 colones (us$1.860) dollars to the Pueblito children's shelter in Paraíso de Cartago, where 165 children will benefit.

Arias said that from his first day in office he has been donating money to various institutions like the Fundación Pro Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos (¢1,860.715), the Asociación Costarricense de Fibrosis Quística (¢465.178), the Hospicio de Huérfanos (¢465.178), the Asociación Obras del Espíritu Santo (¢930.356) and the Taller Socioproductivo para Personas con Discapacidad (¢962.920).

The president added that he will continue to donate until the end of his term in office.

"I believe that Costa Rican society must be more generous, especially by those who can afford to do so. I made a donation today, not wanting it made public, however, the press got a wind of it", said Arias.

"I don't always give every month, but rather every two weeks, so that it gets to more people. I have been doing so since I took office and continue to do so until I leave office", said Arias.

The president receives ¢1.224.155 monthly in discretionary spending, which some deductions are made reducing the total amount he receives and donates.