SIFAIS Constructive Social Rebellion

We want to show you what a little bit of

can do...

They’ve allowed us to create a place that no rational thinking would have made possible.

SIFAIS has allowed us to witness people give us their own time, instead of what they have left, and produce real time changes of heart and mind. No one charges. No one pays. What started as 20 kids learning to play the flute, turned Costa Rica’s most feared shantytown into a real life wonderland.

Just a few years ago, La Carpio was the country’s reference for violence and vandalism.

One particular sector, popularly referred to as “La Cueva del Sapo” (The Toad’s Cave) was considered the epicenter of Costa Rica’s Criminal activity

But with time, optimism, and a touch of madness, it is now known as Cuevadeluz, The Cave of Light.

One particular woman from the neighborhood, introduced (SIFAIS’s founder) to the reality of her community’s situation.

A group of teens from La Carpio had been trying to form a soccer team, but doors kept being closed on them because of where they came from. Their place of residency made people fear them, and they were not given spaces to practice, coaches to train them, or spots in tournaments.

Keep in mind, this was simply a group of teens wanting to use a sport they enjoyed to better their lives. And despite countless failures, they kept trying. This inspired Maris to step in and help and actually give these kids an opportunity. Somehow, someway, she got the job done.

She thought that was the end of her journey with Alicia, but it was only the beginning. Alicia approached Maris once more and asked for what seemed like the moon:

The community had seen a glimpse of hope for their children, and now they wanted an orchestra. They needed an orchestra.

A way for their time and effort to be used creatively.

They wanted to learn and spread music, and more than anything, they wanted to change the way the world saw them.

Alicia had shown Maris a world that lacked almost everything, from enough food to go around, to places where kids could gather and play.

She knew her neighborhood´s needs, and showed her how to face hard times with a smile on her face. Through actions, rather than words, she had revealed the priceless inner worth of her community.

With time, we evolved.

We got our first sets of real instruments, and our little orchestra started growing.

We migrated from the darkest of places to

Through music, we managed to change the key the community sings in,

and now the whole world can see that they march to a different tune than what they had previously thought.

No matter where you come from,

no matter how old you are,

you´re welcome here if you´re willing to learn.

Every day you can see more and more art on our walls.

You can hear the world change in the sounds we make.

You can feel the future coming in the moves we make.

Our foundation may lack money, but we count with all of Carpio´s potential.

As you can see, now we do more than just teach music. This crazy dream inspired others to join us and donate their time and knowledge.

Countless volunteers have joined us, from regular high school students completing their community service hours,to renowned professionals who have helped us directing orchestras and giving our students opportunities to audition for productions in our National Theatre.

Even our National Theatre´s own director has come in and taught workshops.

Our students now step fearlessly onto the stage, be they rockstars, classical musicians, singers, dancers, etc...

and they sell out shows and play full houses.

To name a few other activities, we have people learning to write screenplays and edit videos. We have people learning about discipline and learning about strength.

We have students participating in la Copa del Café and winning tournaments.

We have teachers so dedicated to their students they managed to become National Judo Champions.

We have people so inspired by what they have learned that they themselves have become teachers and volunteers.

Elena and other women form the neighborhood signed up as volunteers to open the doors and help out from 7 am to 4 pm in the Montessori School that opened.

Keyla worked hard until she graduated as a Montessori Method instructor and now helps out as more than just a volunteer, but as a teacher.

Leti took music lessons, while taking care of her child, until she became a piano teacher.

And these are just 3 of the many success stories that have stemmed from SIFAIS.

This project of ours has even managed to attract people from all over: tourists, foreign artists, world champions, and national icons.

All this is possible thanks to the donation of time and the giving of trust. We aim for our volunteers to contribute 3 hours of weekly work, and to approach all situations with our 4 cardinal attitudes:

Mission: To create a center of multi-way social transformation that allows the change from apathy, to hope, to real and tangible opportunities for both those who are giving and those who are recieving.

Vision: