Child Sponsorship Background in Moín, Costa Rica

SOS Children's Village Moín, near Limón

Limón is also home to speakers of Mekatelyu, a creole of English.  In the Eastern region of Costa Rica, there is the highest rate of unemployment in the country and extreme poverty. The population also suffers from serious health, nutrition and educational problems.

Therefore, a huge number of children live in social risk conditions; they come into contact with violence, drugs and delinquency. Apart from SOS Children's Village Limón, there is only one other organisation in the region that offers comprehensive care for minors in such difficult situations. That is why it was decided to set up another SOS Children's Village near the city of Puerto Limón.

In 2003, SOS Children Costa Rica had already taken over five houses from another child welfare organisation. Until 2007, they were considered part of SOS Children's Village Limón, also near the provincial capital, although Moín is situated about 6 kilometres from there and about 10 kilometres from Limón downtown. The surroundings are rather rural, but infrastructure is well-developed and includes a bus service to the city centre. The SOS Children's Village consists of 10 family houses, a village director's house, a multi-purpose room and an administrative building. Furthermore, there are playgrounds for the children and a basketball court.

Background to Limón

Limón, also known as Puerto Limón, is the capital of Limón Province in Costa Rica. It is the country's main Caribbean port, and has a population of around 105,000. The city, and the province in general, is home to most of Costa Rica's citizens of African descent. Originally from Jamaica, these workers were brought to the area in the late 19th century to build the railroad line from San José to Limón. The rail line boosted the country's banana exports and economy in general. By the time the line was closed, the city was the country's primary harbour.