The Costa Rican Tourism Institute officially donated the Charrarra Lakeside Stop to the Costa Rican Red Cross, a 180,724-square-meter lot. The goal is to improve and guarantee the distinguished institution a suitable site for specialized training and the implementation of specific programs.
The facility will be used by the Red Cross to train staff and volunteers, specifically in vertical rescues, horizontal rescues, canine rescues, urban rescues, and aquatic rescues. It will also allow minors from the Red Cross Youth Program to conduct training sessions and camps.
The Costa Rican Red Cross expressed strong interest in receiving the donation of the property, as it did not have an optimal location in the entire country to carry out its activities, training, and meetings.
This "Specific Agreement between the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and the Benemérita Cruz Roja Costarricense for the donation of the Paradero Lacustre de Charrarra property, property of the ICT" was activated in mid-March when the corresponding official registration was made in the name of this noble institution, recognized for providing selfless, outstanding and heroic services to society, national and foreign tourists and the general public.
“At the ICT, we are confident that Charrarra will have a new, transcendental purpose, consolidating itself as an invaluable legacy for both the Costa Rican Red Cross and society as a whole. The Costa Rican Red Cross, in addition to being a worthy institution for its daily contributions to Costa Rican society, is a fundamental pillar in the care and protection of national and international tourists. Therefore, in response to a specific request from the Red Cross and in recognition of its invaluable contribution to our country, we announce the donation of the land and facilities of the Charrarra lake resort to this worthy institution,” stated William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism.
“We are grateful, proud, and hopeful for the donation of the Charrara Lake Resort from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. This represents the realization of a dream for our institution, which works day and night for Costa Rican society. We will finally have a space where we can conduct internships, training, and camps, but above all, we will continue to strengthen the knowledge we have acquired and developed from generation to generation to safeguard lives. Thank you for your trust, and we will continue working hard to be present wherever Costa Ricans need us most,” said Dyanne Marenco, president of the Costa Rican Red Cross.
The donated land is located in Ujarrás, Paraíso de Cartago, and currently has complementary facilities that will serve to achieve the training objectives.
In order to oversee the proper execution of the agreement and ensure compliance with each and every one of the parties' obligations, as well as manage and facilitate the coordination of all required technical and administrative aspects, the ICT appointed the Administrative Department as the agreement administrator, and the Red Cross appointed the General Management of the institution.
Bonds of brotherhood between partner institutions .
The joint work between the ICT and the Red Cross, ensuring the well-being of both national and international tourists, has been constant over the last few years.
In April 2023, both institutions signed a cooperation agreement, which is still in effect, to allocate 1.2 billion colones over a four-year period to prevent water accidents involving tourists on several national beaches. This agreement includes the provision of equipment and the hiring of lifeguards at strategic beaches with high tourist visitation. The agreement continued the previous agreement, which expired on April 10, 2023.
This agreement aims to continue joining forces and provide coverage on at least eight of the country's most visited beaches that pose a high risk of drowning, such as: Cocles, Manzanillo, Playa Ventanas, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Caldera, Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Negra, Esterillos Oeste, and Bahía Ballena.
Source: ICT.