What's up with Bien de Mujer? Checking in with Kelly's work in Costa Rica

Last Saturday, Bien de Mujer staff and 17 women from Granos Solidarios traveled all the way to Casa del Sol in Guanacaste (a 4-hour drive) to learn how to cook with solar panels. The women sang the whole drive there!

Casa del Sol is an eco-tourism project of Sol Verde—a cooperative formed with the support of Sol de Vida and the Central American Solar Energy Project—which represents 15 local community groups, presents the annual “Fiesta del Sol” event, and operates a small solar restaurant with “delicious home cooking.” Sol Verde is headquartered in the Casa del Sol, which houses a permanent demonstration facility for solar applications with emphasis on solar cookers.

Operating in the Santa Cruz and Nicoya counties of the Guanacaste region, Fundación Sol de Vida takes a holistic approach to expanding the use of renewable energy. The proj¬ect not only promotes the use of solar power for cooking, but also seeks to build women’s capacity for other development activities through the process of constructing and using solar cookers. Therefore, our group of women was warmly welcomed by the Casa del Sol head of staff, Fatima, and several other local volunteers.

In addition to learning about solar cooking, our group participated in guided tour of their resource center. They learned about different mod¬els of solar cookers, about solar water pumps, were shown solar heaters and solar dryers, as well as photovoltaic panels for lighting—all the different ways solar energy can be used to make their lives easier and cheaper! They were guided through organic gardens; given priceless healthy growing, eating and cooking tips, and eventually, prepared their own meal, using a solar panel!

Casa de Sol even donated one solar panel cooking structure to Granos Solidarios, to be used at our women and children’s center in La Caprio. It was a beautiful day, on many levels, and we are grateful to the everyone at Sol de Vida and Casa del Sol who made this an informative, fun and unforgettable experience!

For more information about this project please visit here! And for more photos of our day at Casa del Sol, visit our FaceBook page!

Earn money and support children's educational programs as a Wise Friend!

Wise Heart Books is actively seeking “Wise Friends” to independently sell our value-based books:  Earn money, while at the same time, supporting the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation children’s educational programs.  NOTE:  In the vein of Hair Club for Men, I don’t just work for Wise Heart Books, I am a member! (I am already a Wise Friend, myself.)

A little background:

Wise Heart Books is a socially conscious company designed by educators, parents, and artists to create books and educational materials that nurture the whole child: body, mind and spirit. Each book contains an important message for children, such as building a strong and healthy body or cultivating positive thoughts and habits, or developing love for oneself and the world around them.

Wise Friends are our special Wise Heart Books representatives, introducing our value-based books and our holistic mind-body-spirit philosophy to family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and their local communities, while earning money at the same time. This is a grassroots, stress-free, fun way to earn some extra income for you and your family, selling life-enhancing books and educational materials.

Wise Friends can easily earn commissions from 20-40% of retail value-- all while working at home, when it is most convenient for you and your family.  Wise Heart Books can be sold online; at local community events; at local religious institutions and schools; at a local farmer’s market; via local businesses; or even at a neighborhood party—we are calling them “Wise Reading Parties.”

Wise Heart Books provides Wise Friends with practical, effective online and traditional marketing resources, tools, and support to assist you every step of the way. And yes, it is free to become a Wise Friend—there is no start-up investment cost.  In theory, you could sign up today—announce it on your FaceBook today; sell some books today; and start making some commissions today!

For all the details, please visit our site http://wiseheartbooks.com/ and click on “Join Wise Friends and earn!”  Then read through the Wise Friends 101 and you will get how it works and will also see all the ways you can market these books online and/or old skool, at your convenience.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@wiseheartbooks.com   And even if you are not interested in becoming a Wise Friend, but decide to buy one of our books, know that my code is 1201!  And of course, please pass this onto anyone you think might be interested!

Thanks, I am hoping this is a win-win-win situation for everyone—you, the nonprofit I serve-- Bien de Mujer/ the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation, and all the children who benefit from our programs.

Thank you for all your time and consideration,

Kelly N Patterson

Preparing for the launch of Wise Heart Books’ Wise Friend Program

Over the past few weeks, I have been working with the good folks at Wise Heart Books to engineer, compose and implement what we are calling our “Wise Friends” program.  We are simultaneously about to launch a series of value-driven children’s books (first in English, Español el próximo mes que viene! ) known as Wise Heart Books, as an income-generation tool for women, and simultaneously, to generate funds for our women and children’s community and education center in La Carpio, the slums of San Jose, Costa Rica.  (For more information about our work in La Carpio, visit here.)

Wise Heart Books is a socially conscious company designed by educators, parents, and artists to create books and educational materials that nurture the whole child: body, mind and spirit. Each book contains an important message for children, such as building a strong and healthy body or cultivating positive thoughts and habits, or developing love for oneself and the world around them.

The idea is that women “join” or sign-up as a “Wise Friend” (it is free!); Wise Friends are our special Wise Heart Books representatives, introducing our value-based books and our holistic mind-body-spirit philosophy to family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and their local communities, while earning money at the same time. This is a grassroots, stress-free, fun way to earn some extra income for a woman and her family, selling life-enhancing books and educational materials. 

Wise Friends can easily earn commissions from 20-40% of retail value-- all while working at home, when it is most convenient for them and their family.  Wise Heart Books can be sold online; at local community events; at local religious institutions and schools; at a local farmer’s market; via local businesses; or even at a neighborhood party—we are calling them “Wise Reading Parties.”

Thus, I have spent the last few weeks putting together a comprehensive but simple, user-friendly training manual which covers everything from making a business plan 101 to hosting a “Wise Reading Party” to online marketing 101 to help women get their businesses up and started.  And of course, these tools can be used for any business.

All sales of Wise Heart Books go directly to the Wise Friend who facilitates the sale, and to support children’s holistic educational projects around the globe by The Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation. 

If you would like to learn more, or become a Wise Friend, please visit: http://wiseheartbooks.com/friends.html

Kelly’s new role with WWD-F (También en mal Español!)

I would love to do a survey of tourists and Costa Ricans (who live outside of San Jose), and ask them if they have ever heard of “La Carpio”?  I suspect most of them, both visitors and Ticos alike, will answer “no.”  “La Carpio” is basically the “slums” of San Jose and like most slums, unless you live there or have family there, no one ever visits, much less wants to accidentally end up there while trying to find the San Pedro Mall.  The Women’s Well-Being and Development Foundation (WWD-F) is one of the few local women-designed and operated; non-profit, community-based organizations specifically addressing the well-being, internal and external development, and quality education and empowerment of women and children living in La Carpio.  (Just my cup of coffee!)

Previously, I was just a fan and supporter of the quality work of WWD-F; now, I am a volunteer member of this extraordinary, international team of powerful, inspired, and resourceful women.  WWD-F might be new to you, but I have done some pro bono consulting with them in the past, as well as actively promoted last year’s big children’s Christmas party. 

This is Keilyn, she wants to be a singer or doctor, when she grows up.

This is the 3rd building that WWD-F is hoping to be able to purchase for their women and children's alternative community education center and play ground

Every Tuesday, we all go out to La Carpio to play with the kids, do some workshops and then eat!

A typical street in La Carpio, San Jose, Costa Rica

They do not have playgrounds in La Carpio, so this is where kids play

For the time being, I am taking on various roles with WWD-F which range from promoting this year’s Annual Children’s Christmas Party (more details to come shortly!); working on their new website (http://www.wwd-f.org/index.html) as well as assisting in the design of an integrated social media communications and marketing plan; and marketing their new series of children’s books, called Wise Heart Books, which focus on teaching values to children in a fun, memorable way—again, more about this soon!

Current projects of the Women’s Well-Being and Development Foundation (WWD-F):

• Experiential, uplifting children’s education program called Ilori Educational Program, which includes “playshops”, fieldtrips, and events/activities outside of La Carpio.
• Educational Center Canto Al Sol: a preschool located in Lomas de Tepeyac, San Jose-- with programs such as yoga, swimming, music and the arts, in addition to early childhood development education.
• Wise Heart children’s books—which will partially fund all current WWD-F projects
• Women’s Support Group called Granos Solidarios, which is currently working on putting together a small group business, in addition to training and support in conflict resolution; parenting skills; nutrition; self-esteem development; community organization; and holistic health care.
• The Sattva Vita Complementary  Health Care Center, located in Guadalupe, San Jose, which is staffed by certified Aryuvedic practitioners and other professional alternative and holistic health providers.

WWD-F just purchased two buildings in La Carpio (and intend to purchase a third building) and are actively in the process of transforming this series of buildings, in the middle of the slums, into an eco-friendly, safe, welcoming, and most importantly, fun women and children’s community education center with everything from an organic garden and playground to classrooms, library and computer lab and more!  For information about WWD-F:  http://www.wwd-f.org/index.html

Ahora, en mal Español…

Me encantaría hacer una encuesta de los turistas y los costarricenses (que viven fuera de San José), y pedirles que si alguna vez han oído hablar de "La Carpio"? Sospecho que la mayoría de ellos, tanto los visitantes como los ticos por igual, se responde "no". "La Carpio" es básicamente el "barrios bajos" de San José y como la mayoría de barrios pobres, a menos que viva allí o tiene familia allí, nadie visita nunca mucho menos quiere acabar accidentalmente allí tratando de encontrar el Mall San Pedro. La mujer Bienestar y Fundación para el Desarrollo (WWD-F) es uno de los pocos locales de mujeres, diseñados y operados, sin fines de lucro, organizaciones de base comunitaria que aborden específicamente el bienestar, el desarrollo interno y externo, y la calidad de la educación y el empoderamiento de las mujeres y los niños que viven en La Carpio. (Sólo mi taza de café!)

Anteriormente, yo era un admirador y partidario de la calidad del trabajo de WWD-F, y ahora, soy un miembro voluntario de este extraordinario equipo, internacional de mujeres poderosas, inspirado, y con recursos. WWD-F puede ser nuevo para usted, pero he hecho algunas consultorías pro bono con ellos en el pasado, así como el año pasado promovió activamente la fiesta de Navidad de los niños grandes.

Por el momento, estoy asumiendo diversos roles con WWD-F, que van desde la promoción anual de este año la fiesta de Navidad para la Infancia (más detalles a venir en breve!), Trabajando en su nuevo sitio web (http://www.wwd-f. org / index.html), así como ayudar en el diseño de una red de comunicaciones integrado de medios sociales y plan de marketing, y comercialización de su nueva serie de libros para niños, llamado Sabio Libros del Corazón, que se centran en la enseñanza de valores a los niños de una manera divertida y memorable de nuevo, más sobre esto pronto!

Los proyectos actuales de la Mujer, Bienestar y Fundación para el Desarrollo (WWD-F):

• Experiencial, edificante programa de educación de los hijos llamados Ilori Programa de Educación, que incluye "playshops", excursiones, eventos y actividades de las afueras de La Carpio.
• Centro Educativo Canto al Sol: una escuela preescolar ubicada en Lomas de Tepeyac, San José - con programas como el yoga, la natación, la música y las artes, además de la educación temprana de desarrollo infantil.
• libros sabios hijos del Corazón-que en parte se financiará todos los proyectos actuales

• Grupo de Apoyo de Mujeres denominado Granos Solidarios, que actualmente está trabajando en armar un negocio pequeño grupo, además de la formación y apoyo en la resolución de conflictos, habilidades de crianza, nutrición, desarrollo de la autoestima, organización comunitaria y la atención de salud integral.
• El Sattva Vita Complementaria Centro de Salud, ubicado en Guadalupe, San José, que es atendida por profesionales certificados Aryuvedic y otros tipos de profesionales y otros proveedores de salud integral.

WWD-F acaba de adquirir dos edificios en La Carpio (y la intención de comprar un tercer edificio) y se activa en el proceso de transformación de esta serie de edificios, en medio de los barrios bajos, en un eco-amigable, seguro y acogedor, y lo más importante, las mujeres y el centro de diversión de los niños educación de la comunidad con todo, desde un jardín orgánico y un parque infantil a las aulas, biblioteca y laboratorio de computación y mucho más! Para obtener información acerca WWD-F: http://www.wwd-f.org/index.html

Kelly N Patterson's current work update: Intentional Conscious Communities of Costa Rica (ICCCR)

Intentional Conscious Communities of Costa Rica (ICCCR)
Growing sustainable communities in Costa Rica seeds to village



What exactly does “growing sustainable communities in Costa Rica seeds to village” mean?

The ICCCR serves to the conscious creation, development, maintenance, support, education, and empowerment of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable communities throughout Costa Rica.

We, at the ICCCR, seek to identify, assess, unify, educate, and support these communities and their social entrepreneurial businesses, through an informational, open-source web portal. The ultimate objective of the ICCCR is to empower Costa Rican conscious communities in so that these organizations can be economically sustainable; eco-sustainable; socially sustainable; stimulate their local economies; educate and involve their local communities; and protect Costa Rica’s natural resources.

What is the ICCCR’s definition of an “intentional conscious community?”

Any shared work and housing group, community or program that seeks to do a combination or elements of mind-body-spirit-earth work that is eco-sustainable, socially responsible and empowers the local community (Ticos!)

And how exactly does the ICCCR plan to “serve in the conscious creation, development, maintenance, support, education, and empowerment of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable communities throughout Costa Rica?”


Current and future services include the following:

• Bi-lingual, open-source, SEO-charged, online directory of communities and social entrepreneurial businesses operating in Costa Rica
• ICCCR verification of community and business profiles, products and services
• ICCCR pre-qualified eco-sustainable properties for sale
• Matching conscious investors with conscious sellers and communities
• Advocates for buyers and investors; working in partnership with trusted local real estate agents and local government
• Consultation and support in all aspects of purchasing, developing, and maintaining a eco-sustainable property and/or business
• ICCCR online organic market and health store (to be marketed both domestically and internationally)
• Carbon-credit brokering
• Micro-loans
• ICCCR workshops, products and services—from workshops, tools and publications on building bamboo structures to constructing water catchments; from marketing 101 to writing business plans or grants; from bio-diesel fuel to community-building and communication skills
• Updated information on environmental technology; rural development; local laws; grant and seed money opportunities; market trends; and then some
• Matching stewards, volunteers, interns, work-trade, and investors with communities
• ICCCR Volunteer orientation/training services to improve both the volunteer and host experience
• ICCCR educational and community-building events (providing venues for community members to meet in person, network and share skills and knowledge)
• Scholarships for locals
• ICCCR preferred local providers and good business referrals
• Community open-source events calendar
• General classifieds
• Online auctions and contests


Again, www.icccr.info is a work in progress (poco a poco.) Currently, all acting ICCCR team leaders, known as The Elders, are volunteering their time, energy, and skills. We are grateful for all your patience as we work on developing all the functions of the site and recruiting key team members. Soon, each service will be fully defined on the site.

If you have any interest in becoming involved in our work or any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly N Patterson, The Messenger, at kellypatterson@icccr.info



About the Organizational Structure of ICCCR

Starting with the team, the ICCCR team refers to itself as “The Elders.”

The Elders agreed ICCCR needs the following key positions filled in order to fully manifest ICCCR’s mission and vision:

• Web administrator (current acting: Jason Thomas)
• Web developer/graphic designer (project based—actively seeking!)
• PR/communications/marketing/fundraising (Kelly N Patterson, known as The Messenger)
• Director of Operations (Jason Thomas)
• Bookkeeper
• Carbon credit broker
• ICCCR verification team coordinator (Amelia Borntrager)
• Eco-property guru (Gary Schmeiding, known as The Seed Planter)
• Community liaison
• Educational director (Alana Bliss)
• Financial director
• Monetary administrator (alternative currency/credit) (Roy Lent)
• Outreach/events coordinator (Alana Bliss and Amelia Borntrager)
• Volunteer coordinator
• Product and services manager/Business director
• ICCCR community tours coordinator

For more background on the current acting Elders, please visit our About Us page for photos, mini-bio’s and personal commitment statements. If you would like to learn more about the other key roles with ICCCR, please contact Kelly N Patterson, The Messenger, at kellypatterson@icccr.info


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More about the ICCCR Organizational Structure

The Elders agreed that ICCCR apply for LLC status in Costa Rica (in the care of Gary Schmieding.) It was agreed a separate non-profit organization, a US-based 501 c/3, to be named Intentional Conscious Communities International (ICCI), be created (in care of Kelly N Patterson.) However, Kelly N Patterson is to investigate and query immediate non-profit fiscal agent/partnerships. The ultimate objective is to create ICCI.

The ICCCR will act as a service provider for the ICCI. The ICCI will procure funds to support micro-loans via ICCCR and future ICC networks in other countries and regions; seed monies for new ICCs; gifts-in-kind; scholarships; educational tools and resources, etc.

In order to file for a 501 c/3, ICCI will need a board of directors (not on ICCI payroll) of (at least) the following positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you are interested in being part of the ICCI board, please contact Kelly N Patterson, The Messenger, at kellypatterson@icccr.info