COSTA RICA - CENTRAL AMERICA
Population:4,215,569; Publishers: 21,024; Ratio: 1 to 201; Special pio: 34; Reg. pioneers: 1,581
[2006 Yearbook/OKM]
Comments by the Faithful & Discreet Slave class about those serving where the need is greater, specifically in their relationship to the progress of the worldwide Kingdom Preaching work:
"What accounts for such progress? Many things. Missionaries trained at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and, more recently, upwards of 20,000 graduates of the Ministerial Training School have made a huge contribution. So have the many Witnesses who at their own expense have moved to lands where the need for Kingdom publishers is greater. Such self-sacrificing Christians—men and women, young and old, single and married—play a significant role in preaching the Kingdom message throughout the earth. They are greatly appreciated."
Watchtower July 1, 2005, Pages 22-23
English is considered a "second language" in Costa Rica since the official language is Spanish.
Brother Henry Campos, from the Veracruz Congregation has mentioned the need for help in a few English congregations and groups, which are listed below with maps showing the locations of the towns and provinces they are found in. Further information is given regarding climate & types of regions. For a more complete listing and advice about where to serve, it would be best to contact the Branch. See www.needgreaters..com/CostaRicaBranch.htm for telephone and fax numbers of the Branch in Costa Rica.
Limón CONGREGATION : Limón Province - Caribbean Coast
Area: 3549.2 sq.mi.
Population: 432,923 (Fourth province in size: 18% of national area);
Main City: Limón ; Elevation: 10 feet ;
Average Temperature: 78.1°F;
Annual Rainfall: 118-157 inches
Indian Reservations: 1,240 square miles (22 reservations)
Tribes (reservations):
Malekus (Guatusos), Chorotegas (Matambú), Huetares (Quitirrisí y Zapatón), Cabécares (Nairí-Awari, Chirripó, Alto de Chirripó, Tayni, Telire, Talamanca Cabécar y Ujarrás), Bribrís (Cocles, Talamanca Bribrí, Salitre y Cabagra), Teribes (Térraba), Borucas (Boruca y Curré) y Guaymies (Coto Brus, Abrojo Montezuma, Osa, Conte Burica). Indigenous languages:Maleku, Cabécar, Bribri, Guaymí y Brunca.
VALLE CENTRAL CONGREGATION (
(Next to Bethel, 5 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport)
The region of Valle Central includes parts of the provinces of San Jose', Heredia, Alajuela, & Cartago as well as their cities & is home to more than half of the population of Costa Rica.
The women of the Central Valley have the least amount of children in the country regardless of age.
El Valle Central is the seat of many important populations of Costa Rica as well as of minorities such as the Palmares, Naranjo Indians. More than half the population of the country is located in El Valle Central and it is also the seat of government and principal institutions.
CAHUITA CONGREGATION:
Cahuita is a small town located 43 km south of Puerto Limón on the Caribbean in Province of Limón, Costa Rica.
Cahuita is described as a charming and quiet little village located in the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. It is 4 hrs driving from the capital San. Jose. You can reach it by bus. Like almost this part of Costa Rica, it is inhabited by the descendents of ancient Jamaican turtle hunters. People are very laid-back. It is a less developed area. Beautiful Cahuita National Park is a nice place to walk through a rain forest & to swim along the beaches.
ATENAS CONGREGATION:Atenas is in the Province of Alejuela: 25 kilometers (15 miles) to the airport of Alajuela; 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the capital, San Jose; 60 kilometers (36 miles) to the Pacific ocean
Town of Atenas (5000 inhabitants, 18000 with the suburbs) is located on the Central Valley's western edge, at an altitude of 700-800 meters above the sea level. This town is the hub of a prosperous agricultural area, known for its breeding farms and exceptional orchards; you can find a community health center, ambulances, schools, banks, boutiques and most services. Atenas is a quiet little town, very clean and very pretty, with its white immaculate church and its central park lined with palm trees.
The atmosphere is laid-back, the people hardworking and the social inequalities are not noticeable. Already approximately 100 North Americans and Europeans have chosen to live in the area; moreover many ticos from San Jose have a country estate (quinta) in the surrounding hills.
CLIMATE:The Central Valley is over 1000 meters above the sea level and has a cool and moderate climate. Atenas (696 m) is blessed with a perfect weather year-round : " the best climate in the world "according to National Geographic Magazine and the magazine .
Atenas is often the last location in the Central Valley to get rained on. Many days, it rains in San Jose, Heredia, Escazu while the sun shines in Atenas. Indeed, the rainy season, as this season is called, is the one that many foreign residents prefer. Nature is more lush and the Atenas area becomes a floral garden in a Swiss landscape.
During the Costa Rican summer, from December to May, rain showers are infrequent. During the winter, from June to November, the sun shines every morning. When it rains, and it rains fairly regularly in August, September, October and November, it is usually from two or three o'clock in the afternoon and most of the time for a few hours only.
The temperatures vary from 19-20 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) at night to 27-28 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, with a light breeze due to the hills, and this year-round! This dry moderate climate is tonic for one's health and helps explain the almost absence of flies and mosquitoes.
QUEPOS CONGREGATION:
Quepos is in the Province of Puntarenas:
.
Quepos is a city in Puntarenas Province. Population: 7,900. It is served by the Quepos-La Managua airport. Puerto Quepos drapes itself across a tropical inlet surrounded by primary rainforest. The village center is a delightful six-block square of restaurants, bars, hotels, bakeries, art galleries and gift shops, all fronted by the main beach and sportfishing fleet. Quepos is growing quickly yet maintains many of its sleepy and humble beginnings.
Quepeños are great celebrators of life and seem to make dancing in the streets a local pastime. The high season runs through the drier months of December to April and explodes during the Festival del Mar, a month long party held each February that features concert, sporting events, parades and a street carnival with dancers from across the country.
Quepos fills to the brim with families, surfers, backpackers, ecotourists, blissed-out scientists and lively jet-setters, all as colorful and intriguing as the flora and fauna surrounding the village. The ever-friendly locals take it all in stride, going out of their way to make sure everyone has a good time.
This page will contain more information about specific English Congregations & Groups in the future.
For Current News Releases: Americas
Visit the authorized site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses
The purpose of the Serving Where the Need is Great Web Page is simply to share many of the joys and experiences of needgreaters throughout the world. It has been prepared with the hope of encouraging all of Jehovah’s servants as well as motivating those who have the circumstances to reach out for this wonderful privilege of service. In no way is the information provided here a substitute for following the instructions of the Society which include contacting the Branch Office in the country in which you would like to serve.
