Saplings, Inc.

Saplings, Inc.

Saplings is a grassroots nonprofit organization that is focused on working with residents of the rural mountain community of Potenciana, Costa Rica, to expand educational opportunities, preserve the natural environment, and develop a sustainable economy.

Scroll all the way down to learn how you can support scholarships for girls while enjoying a cup of Potenciana Café's Geisha coffee.

Five Ways Saplings Benefits the Whole Community

Education and Girls Scholarship Fund

We fund capital improvements and equipment for the local school educating grades 1-6 and enable promising students to continue their education past the sixth grade.

Community Development

We work with residents and local leaders to implement community infrastructure needs, such as erosion control and water and electrical delivery systems.

Economic Enhancement

We are developing the foundation for residents to develop markets for local goods, such as coffee, cocoa, honey, cheese, fruits and vegetables, and tourism.

Ecological Preservation and Restoration

We fund sustainable agriculture workshops and practices so local farms can become certified. We have planted 1,200 trees for wildlife habitat and carbon offset.

Memorial Forest

Contact us and we will send you information to select and donate a tree as a living memorial for a loved one. We will tag the tree with the name and dates of your honoree and send you a photograph.

Donate Today

Thanks to your donation Saplings will ensure that any girl wishing to attend high school is not limited by a lack of resources.

Donate Today

Saplings Scholarships

Saplings is committed to ensuring that all children who want to continue school past the sixth grade are able to do so. Currently we are enabling four promising young girls who have no employment opportunities to attend middle and high school. We cover the costs of transportation over rough mountain roads, school uniforms, backpacks, supplies, books, and personal needs. We stay in touch with the girls, their parents, and their teachers, so that we may monitor their progress. Recently we established a canteen fund so they can eat healthy food during long school days and we are providing outfits for their high school internships.

Saplings Scholarship Girls

…I have to fight very hard and put a lot of effort into my studies, and be better every day, but I need the help of all the people that want to support me…I thank them with all my heart. – Yendry
To be able to go to school, I have to make a big effort…the first four years I had to move to another town, until last year [when] they provided transportation from La Potenciana to San Luis… – Guadalupe
It's been two years of traveling and is very hard, but it is better to go home every day….before, only during the weekends could we go home… – Laura
…my hope is to become a professional, have my own house, and help my parents…I want to finish high school and go to a university to achieve my career, and not sure yet, but I would like to be a veterinarian. – Mariela
Thank you, I owe this achievement to God and to you who have helped me in what I need. You believed in me and I will not let you down. I am so thankful. – Alejandra

Faces of Saplings

Lupe, right, is the first from her community to attend university. Tatiana, left, a 7th grader, travels 4 hours a day over rough roads between home and school. Josebeth will be in the first grade in 2 years.

At each stage of their academic journey, Saplings is there to ensure their success.

Give the Gift of Education

Enjoy a cup of sustainably grown Geisha coffee and support our scholarships for girls.

Any amount is welcome, but in gratitude for your donation of $115, we will send you 2 pounds of Potenciana Cafe's Geisha coffee!

Donate Today

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