A Community Effort to Empower the Future

October 2025 marked the beginning of something truly special. The Tico Be Like Community is coming together to support the incredible ACCAI Organization in Brasilito, Guanacaste.

Helping them continue their life-changing mission. For at least one year, we are committed to sponsoring their Little Bees Program —an English language program for children from Pre-K to 6th grade. This program, held every Saturday from 12pm to 3:45pm, gives local kids the opportunity to learn English, opening doors to a brighter future.

How It All Started: A Vision for Change

The idea for this initiative didn’t come overnight. It began with my clients, many of whom are expats in Costa Rica now, wanting to give back to the Tico community. Over the years, as I’ve worked with people moving to Costa Rica and living in various areas of the country —helping them learn Spanish, understand Tico slang, and navigate life like a local —or Even Better! .. I started to notice a common theme: a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the local community, now that they call Costa Rica home.

This was the seed of the idea: How could expats contribute in a meaningful way to the Tico Community? How could we support the local community, not just in a superficial way, but in a way that creates lasting, positive change?

But it wasn’t just my clients who inspired this vision. In early 2023, I had the privilege of designing a Spanish and Cultural Program for Greg Fischer, an American businessman and the former second mayor of Louisville Metro, United States. After we visited Brasilito, Greg said something that really struck a chord with me:

He said something like, “What if expats came together for real to financially help the local community? It’s in everyone’s best interest. No one wants to see kids end up on the streets or in trouble. Everyone wants them to stay in school, build a better future for themselves and their families, and help keep the community safe and beautiful. It’s a collective effort”.

As I thought about his words, the answer became clear: education. I realized that teaching English to local children would not only help them learn a valuable skill, but also open up incredible opportunities for them in the future, just as it has in my own personal experience. Kids learn languages quickly —much faster than adults —and by giving them the ability to speak English, we empower them to create better opportunities for themselves and their families.

The Struggles of Brasilito: A Community in Need

Brasilito is a beautiful, growing town —full of life and surrounded by tourism. However, beneath the surface, many locals are struggling. The cost of living is rising, and local families are finding it harder to make ends meet.

One of the most shocking things I found out a few years ago is that, after the earthquake in 2012, the local school building was severely damaged. For nearly a decade, children in Brasilito had no proper school building to attend. This is especially shocking when you consider that education in Costa Rica is mandatory and free for children, or at least it should be. However, the government did little to help rebuild the school or provide the resources necessary for the community to thrive.

As a result, many teenagers in the area entered high school without a solid educational foundation, facing huge obstacles as they tried to continue their studies. The lack of a proper school and resources left them vulnerable to dropping out, with few options to continue and improve their future.

That’s when I met Erika (Yes, another Erika), the founder of ACCAI. In 2023, she was already doing incredible work, helping to keep these teens in school, offering support, and guiding them through their studies. Erika’s tireless efforts to help kids stay in school are nothing short of inspiring. As ACCAI grew, it expanded its focus to include younger children —and that’s where the Little Bees Program was born.

Why ACCAI and Why the Little Bees Program?

The Little Bees Program focuses on providing English language education to children from Pre-K to 6th grade. These kids now have the opportunity to learn English every Saturday from 12pm to 3:45pm with a native English-speaking teachers. This program is a gateway to brighter futures and better opportunities, not just for the kids, but for their families as well.

By sponsoring the Little Bees Program, the Tico Be Like Community is directly helping to provide a much-needed resource: a native English-speaking teacher. The funds we raise will go toward paying for this teacher, who will ensure that the children receive consistent high-quality, effective English education.

But the impact doesn’t stop there. By learning English, these kids will be able to connect with the growing expat community in the area, open doors to better jobs in the future, and ultimately help their families communicate more effectively in an increasingly globalized world.

Why We Need Your Support

The Little Bees Program is already making a difference, but we need your help to keep it going. We are committed to supporting the program for at least one year, but we would love to continue for many more years. The more funds we can raise, the more children we can reach, and the more lives we can change.

The funds raised will go directly toward paying for the native English-speaking teacher. Without this teacher, the program wouldn’t be able to run effectively, so your contribution directly ensures that these children get the best possible education.

Be Part of It: Join Us in Making a Difference

I know that not everyone has the time to volunteer in person, I don’t either, but we all have the power to make a difference. By contributing financially, we can come together as a community to ensure that this program continues and grows.

Whether it’s $5, $50, or $500, every donation counts. Your support will help us pay for the teacher, and make sure that the Little Bees Program reaches as many children as possible. Please donate through PayPal here or get in touch with me so I can share bank account details.

Together, we can make a real, lasting impact on the future of these kids. Let’s show what we can do when we come together. Let’s build a better future for the children of Brasilito and help them thrive.

Thank you for your generosity, your support, and your belief in this community. God bless.

Special Thanks To:

A huge THANK YOU to Sagamore Hill Broadcasting LLC, Louis Wall and Steve Downing for believing in this initiative and contributing to get the sponsorship of the Little Bees Program off the ground. Your support means the world to me —and to these kids and their families.

I can’t wait to add more names to this list as we continue to grow and make a difference. 

Muchas Gracias!

Pura Vida,
Tico Be Like