Our Work

Education

Love At Work International Christian School

Milany has been in our school since day one! Through the years she loved playing in the School’s marching band. This is a photo of her some years ago in the 2016 Independence Day Parade. It’s amazing what kids will do when given an opportunity.

Milany and her family lived in Tejarcillos, the worst, most dangerous slum in Alajuelita. We tore down their shack and built them a new home. They have since moved out of Tejarcillos.

Milany is just one of our graduates who is building a future away from the violence, prostitution, drugs and hostility around them. Today, she is part of a flight attendant program that provides employment at the end of her training. Milani will be flying towards her future . . . literally! 

In her own words, “The Love at Work family has been fundamental in my life, since it not only provided me with academic knowledge, but also opportunities to develop social and emotional skills, to be and grow in faith with our God.”

All our students leave HS with a baccalaureate degree and certified degrees in conversational English, in technology and / or the arts. And 100% have qualified to enter university or a trade school. Quite a record!

“The sun has gone down. It’s becoming dark in Tejarcillos. The gangs are coming out. There are noises and nasty smells outside. Dogs are barking. I’m wondering if I’ll have something to feed my children for supper.”

“We’ll prepare our small mattress on the floor where all four of us sleep, the children between me and my husband. I pray the rats don’t come up through the floor tonight. And the rain doesn’t come through the gaping holes in the roof.”

“Oh God, why do my children have to live this way? Why can’t they have a safe home like other children? Why can’t they have enough food to eat? I feel so helpless and afraid.” Keyvi, a mom in Tejarcillos.

The truth is that people all over the world, living in sub-human conditions, are crying out in desperation to God for help. God has not turned his back on the poor in their suffering. He has sent us. Everyone deserves a simple, decent place to live!

The LifeCenter

Hope in unexpected places

We delivered a simple bag of rice and beans to a mother. She sobbed, and in her broken voice said, “I always knew there was a God. I just thought He had forgotten me.”

The LifeCenter is a place of hope for the “forgotten ones” . . . the poorest of the poor, the most neglected, the most marginalized in Tejarcillos . . . where violence, the lack of food, shelter and medical care can add up to deadly consequences. Sadly, many of them don’t make it.

We provide food, dental care and other basic necessities to 100s of children and families each year. These help them survive as we work on longer term solutions like education, job training, counseling and spiritual nurture.

Recently, a group of mothers completed our 3-month bakery course. Graduates from previous classes have already started their own businesses. In the words of Pastor Arturo Piedra, “These mothers, who live in the most difficult, violent slum, are dreaming and believing the good news that Jesus loves them and has a plan for them!”

“They understand that brave people don’t expect things for free. Our students, kids, youth and adults know that they need to fight and work hard. And our Lord blesses that effort.”

The “church in Action”

A visitor came to our school one day, observed all of the kids and their activities and was impressed. And then he asked us, “Now where is the church?” We gave him a puzzled look. Arturo spread his arms wide and said, “Well, this is the church. Our church is right here.”

CCI Amor En Acción is not a church that lives within its four walls.  Church members form the basis of the volunteers for all of our work. Whether we’re tearing down a shack, building a new home, feeding hungry children, or equipping young mothers with new job skills . . . it is the church that is doing it. Church members serve the community by reaching out to those who are hurting, alone, in need, struggling or oppressed.

In addition, we are expanding our camps, retreats, youth meetings, Bible studies, service projects — to increase opportunities for children and their families.

We firmly believe that the success of a community is inseparable from the well-being of its children and families. Through outreach and discipleship, we desire to see every child and adult grow physically, mentally, spiritually and socially to strengthen their faith, their relationship with God and with one-another.