Abriendo Mentes

Abriendo Mentes (which is Spanish for 'Opening Minds') is a nonprofit organization empowering people in Guanacaste, Costa Rica to access enhanced education & employment opportunities, helping local families to achieve economic stability. We are a small, grass roots, community-based project, taking pride in making a big impact with limited resources. We give local residents the skills they need to enhance their lives through an innovative and engaging education program.

Guanacaste is a rural region of Western Costa Rica. Despite its natural beauty, limited infrastructure and scarce resources have created major disparities in the local education system compared to the rest of the country. Only 12% of the adult population in Guanacaste has graduated from high school. On average, 7th grade is the highest grade attained.

We believe in the value of education.

Established in 2009 at the request of local residents, Abriendo Mentes offers three pillars of year round programming:

• Education program – Developing English and vocational skills
• Technology program – Developing IT skills
• Community engagement – Developing health and quality of life

Developed to fill the gaps identified by the community it serves, these programs provide children inspire a passion for education, teens and adults with marketable skills that will give them a competitive advantage in the local job market.

Our ethos is to make learning fun and our aim is to empower the local community.