SOFTLY International Click or press spacebar to advance to next slide

our mission a bed for every child

a barrio in Pavas near San Jose, Costa Rica

…living conditions are desperate; usually lacking even the most basic necessities.

…when the sun is shining the heat under tin roofs is excessive and when it rains the paths and floors turn to mud

why build beds? when children sleep on dirty mattresses or directly on the ground: parasites are contracted parasites are contracted infections are transmitted infections are transmitted respiratory illnesses flourish respiratory illnesses flourish

…conditions that lead to chronic and often insidious damage to a child’s health

“A child who has suffered persistent [parasitic] infections is likely to have chronic irreversible diseases, such as liver fibrosis, cancer of the bladder and kidney failure in later life.” … World Health Organization

“In terms of learning, infection means a child is sick more often and therefore more often absent from school. Even when they are in class, they are less able to learn well.” …World Health Organization

less exposure to parasites and infections less exposure to parasites and infections improved school attendance and performance improved school attendance and performance enhanced well-being and dignity enhanced well-being and dignity So the physical and psychological benefits include:

Our vision is clear: all children in the global family will have their own beds to improve their health and promote their education, hopes and dreams all children in the global family will have their own beds to improve their health and promote their education, hopes and dreams

a bed project in Costa Rica consists of: 10 to 20 volunteers, often from The Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS) or volunteer groups from abroad 10 to 20 volunteers, often from The Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS) or volunteer groups from abroad beds prefabricated by the Salvation Army workshop beds prefabricated by the Salvation Army workshop mattresses purchased at cost from Proursa, a local company mattresses purchased at cost from Proursa, a local company sheets sewn by a local seamstress sheets sewn by a local seamstress community support provided by local schools community support provided by local schools

Salvation Army – a workshop and farm for street kids …whenever possible, we use local manpower and resources

Softly’s first bed build - Costa Rica 1997 Eloise Vincent, founder & Guy Hesse, Field Director in Costa Rica

the first of 1,000’s of beds built in Costa Rica and Honduras… … and ambitious plans to expand existing programs and move into other countries

… logistics are a constant challenge

Especially on the island of Roatan in Honduras… …volunteers climb narrow paths up slippery slopes to deliver the beds

Every bed build brings unique challenges… … but knowing the children will sleep well that night is the immediate reward

In Costa Rica, delivery of the beds begins… … in a very unfamiliar environment the volunteers adapt so quickly

… the work is often in tight spaces, under trying conditions

…a collective enthusiasm to touch the lives of others

… finally the mattresses and sheets

…reward enough to see the smiling faces

… our dream; that the smiles never stop

pride in a private space… “My house is small but now I have my own special place.”

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead, Anthropologist

…thanks for helping Donations are tax exempt under SOFTLY’s status as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit humanitarian aid organization Make check payable to: SOFTLY International Mail to: SOFTLY International PO Box 2609 Reston VA 20195