In San Gerardo de Rivas, a small village in the Talamanca mountains of south-central Costa Rica, the local indigenous communities rely on their working horses to make a living. Our animal welfare education programme teaches the children who live there about animal welfare, so that they can care properly for the horses they depend on when they grow up.
Costa Rica at a glance
- Population: 5.1 million
- Area: 51,100 square km
- Location: Central America
- Capital city: San José
- Estimated number of working animals: 142,049
- Number of children receiving humane education in 2020: 96
Our work in Costa Rica
Our animal welfare education programme is reaching children aged between four and 12 years old in San Gerardo de Rivas. We currently work with four schools, with each child receiving one lesson a month. Practical activities are also organised to help children become familiar with horses. In addition, we are working with teachers to explain the importance of animal welfare – giving lectures in regional offices to teachers on animal welfare and humane education.
Danitza’s story
Danitza, who is 10 years old, has been a member of SPANA’s education programme for two years. Before attending classes, Danitza knew very little about how to take care of animals. However, her teachers have observed that, as she has gained in confidence and knowledge, she has started to apply what she has learnt to her own animals. She is now involved in the basic care of her family’s horses, overseeing their general welfare and ensuring they are properly fed and groomed. She has also shared what she has learnt in her lessons with her friends and family, promoting animal welfare within her local community.
Other countries we work in
Helping working animals in Guatemala
Find out more about how SPANA helps working animals in Guatemala.
Helping working animals in Honduras
Find out more about how SPANA helps working animals in Honduras.
Helping working animals in Ethiopia
Find out more about how SPANA helps working animals in Ethiopia.
Helping working animals in Guatemala
Find out more about how SPANA helps working animals in Guatemala.
Helping working animals in Honduras
Find out more about how SPANA helps working animals in Honduras.
Helping working animals in Ethiopia
Find out more about how SPANA helps working animals in Ethiopia.