This project is now in update mode. Check back regularly to see how things are progressing.
PUC Costa Rica 2021
Meet our Team!
¡Hola! We are PUC Costa Rica! Projects with Underserved Communities is a year-long program that provides engineering and social work students like us the opportunity to plan and implement a sustainable engineering design solution that addresses community needs around the world. Our group consists of 5 dedicated students from both the Cockrell School of Engineering and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work.
The Project
This coming summer, our team will be traveling to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. This region can receive up to 120 inches of rainfall per month during Costa Rica’s rainy season. As a result, the infrastructure in rural areas often cannot withstand these conditions and needs annual reconstruction. This is the case with the community soccer field in Lorena Village, home to about 300 families. Specifically, our team will be implementing a flood-proof sustainable drainage system to improve the longevity and robustness of the field as well as installing a security fence around the field. This will allow the field to serve as a community center for children and their families to connect with each other and enjoy Costa Rica's national sport.
Our Partners
In order to meet the needs and expectations of the Lorena community, we've partnered with the nonprofit 
organization Siempre Amigos. Siempre Amigos, founded in 2011, focuses on the mission to assist low-income families in the rural areas of Guanacaste to improve poor living conditions. Close collaboration with Siempre Amigos is how we’ll learn about our community’s needs as we develop the drainage system.
Last year's team was able to raise $17,000 and we are committed to raising an additional $7,000 to redesign and restore a soccer field, install a security fence and engage with the community in Lorena. Any amount helps, so please consider donating today. We need your support to reach our goals!
¡Gracias y PURA VIDA!
*All contributions through our HornRaiser page are considered charitable donations to UT Austin, and are tax deductible. The Tax ID number for UT Austin is 74-6000203.*
$63.13
Professional
The soccer field we will be redesigning has an area of 6,313 meters squared
$99
Go Green!
Costa Rica generates almost 99% of its electricity using renewable energy!
$200
Fancy Feet
Soccer or "football" is played in over 200 countries worldwide, making it the world's most popular sport!
$708
Dancing in the Rain!
The Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica receives 70.8 inches of rain on average each year.
$1,697
The Original
The earliest game resembling soccer was invented by Chinese Emperor Huang-Ti in 1697 BC. Players kicked a leather ball stuffed with cork and hair!
$2,535
May the Forest Be With You
We will be traveling to the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It is named after the Guanacaste tree, the national tree of Costa Rica, and can grow between 25-35 feet tall.
$3,820
Climbing High
The highest point in Costa Rica is Mount Chirripo at 3,820 meters
