James Wendorff

With its pristine beaches, active volcanoes and exotic jungles, Costa Rica has become a popular destination for adventure-seeking tourists. But hidden beyond the resorts and popular sightseeing spots is a country with significant housing needs and a lack of quality social services.

Studies have shown that an estimated 700,000 people in Costa Rica live in poverty and more than 222,000 live in extreme poverty.

Habitat for Humanity began operations in Costa Rica in 1988, building 50 houses in its first three years. Today, more than 1,000 homes have been built with the support of government, international churches, local businesses and Habitat affiliates.

Beyond building houses, Habitat Costa Rica focuses on ways to reach families that have even fewer resources through initiatives such as “progressive” housing, home rehabilitations, technical support, financial education, and microenterprise for female heads of household.

About Thrivent Builds Worldwide

The Thrivent Builds program combines the financial, volunteer and advocacy resources of Thrivent Financial together with the affordable housing leadership of Habitat for Humanity International.  Thrivent Builds Worldwide teams are led by members of Thrivent Financial and build in one of the Thrivent Builds community destinations – El Salvador and the Mississippi Gulf Coast – or any other location where Habitat’s Global Village program sends teams. To learn more, please visit www.thriventbuilds.com

Global Village is Habitat for Humanity’s international volunteer program. Teams travel to over 40 countries to work alongside communities, build housing solutions, and experience local culture. Our goal is to change the lives of the people we serve, as well as the lives of the volunteers.

To join a team or learn more, visit www.habitat.org/gv.

About Habitat for Humanity International 

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.