How do you make a difference in your community? My project makes a difference in the community by giving local vendors a space to sell and create their products. There are very few places in the community that are set up weekly and can provide consistency for locals (especially with covid) so we are a space we can rely on. We also make a difference for the shoppers, the members who buy from the Feria also benefit from local and fresh foods.
What are you doing to create change? In order to create change, the Feria group has decided to work with Tatiana and the scholarship kids at La Paz in order to set up a program that will allow those kids to take part in the Feria. The Feria is such a fun tradition for kids, and we believe all of them should be included, therefore we are going to set up a “class” and rewards system for the kids each week. We plan to use the money we charge for each space as a small coupon for each kid who attends the class, most likely on Thrusdays. The following week the kid will be allowed to use the coupon for a snack, at whatever cost the coupon was given (1-2 thousand colones).
Can you show the process that you are going through to do that? What are the obstacles? The process to achieve this scholarship program is to work with Tatiana, the admin group, the scholarship kids interested, and even the other 11th graders whose CAS projects will be incorporated into the classes. Some of the obstacles are getting the vendors to agree or donate and physically setting up the classes each week. This will take a lot of preparation and thought.
How are you getting through them? To get through them it is important to use strategic planning and organizational skills, as well as communication. Advertising and informing others is very important in order to get everyone involved and on the same page.
How does your project demonstrate engagement in global significance? My project demonstartes engagement in global significance because it should be an inspiration for others to do the same. The Feria is a relatively simple idea, bring local vendors together to share and sell products. It is possible to implement this in other places and make the same difference we make here in out small town. It is all about perspective! With the additional scholarship rewards program, it takes it a step further in terms of global significance. There are people, students, kids, everywhere who are in need of assistance, and figuring out creative ways to engage them is something we can pass along.
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