Situated in the Central American Isthmus, Costa Rica is a land rich in natural beauty including tropical rainforest, volcanoes and lakes. It shares borders with Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Despite its status as one of the most stable, prosperous and progressive nations in Latin America — and one of the most ecofriendly in the world — Costa Rica struggles beneath a threatened economy and low paying jobs.

In the rural areas, these problems are often compounded. The region of Santa Luisa is remote and mountainous, a seven-hour drive from the nation’s capital, San Jose. The local population is mostly indigenous, with two main tribes, the Bribrís and the Cabacares. Local families depend on agriculture, fishing and raising farm animals to make a living. Although the area is rich in the cultivation of bananas, plantains, cacao, a variety of tropical fruits and wood products, due to its remote location and relative lack of employment opportunities, poverty is widespread. The majority of families live in homes that have no potable water, electricity or sanitary facilities. Moreover, several nearby rivers are all prone to flooding during the rainy season, threatening livelihoods and homes.

For this reason, the Santa Luisa welfare center serves as a beacon of hope to the surrounding community. It functions as a home for the elderly, a community center, and a place where underprivileged children meet once a month.