Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANJOSE1182
2006-05-31 21:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Jose
Cable title:
COSTA RICA'S 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSJ #1182/01 1512124 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 312124Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5203
UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001182
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR PRM/ECA JJOYCE, WHA/CEN JMACK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA'S 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES
PROPOSAL
REF: STATE 41367
UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001182
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR PRM/ECA JJOYCE, WHA/CEN JMACK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA'S 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES
PROPOSAL
REF: STATE 41367
1. Please find following Embassy San Jose's submission for
the 2006 Ambassador's Fund for Refugees.
2. Description of project: USD 18,618 to set up and operate
a training center in San Jose to provide English language and
computer skills training. The center will provide English
training from basic to advanced, with an emphasis on
providing refugees sufficient English skills to find
employment within Costa Rica's burgeoning tourism and service
sectors. In addition, the center will offer courses in basic
computer operation, as well as introductory courses in
Microsoft Office and Web publishing, also focused on
preparing students for integration into the local economy.
The center will be located in the centrally located
headquarters of the Asociacion de Consultores y Asesores
Internacionales (ACAI),UNHCR's local NGO partner. Teachers
at the center will be hired from local vocational centers,
with additional tutoring and teaching assistance from local
university students. ACAI estimates that there is
significant demand for such a center and anticipates
enrollment of approximately 500 students per year, depending
on class size and facility accommodations.
3. Justification for this request: While Costa Rica's
economy was historically dominated by agriculture, tourism
has become the largest single component of GDP, followed
closely by high-tech manufacturing and services. English and
computer skills are becoming important to finding a good job,
since the vast majority of tourists are American or European,
and many service jobs cater to an English-speaking clientele.
Many of Costa Rica's 14,000 refugees who lack English and
computer skills are unable to find work in the burgeoning
tourism sector. Costa Rica's refugee population is made up
primarily of semi-educated Colombians, and virtually all the
rest are from other Spanish-speaking countries in Latin
America. Lacking the vocational skills necessary for
employment and without their traditional family support
network, many refugees are economically marginalized and are
forced to work in the dwindling agricultural sector. ACAI
hopes to provide a means for these refugees to gain the
skills necessary to find employment in San Jose and other
urban areas.
4. Agency responsible for implementation/management of the
project funds: UNHCR's local NGO implementing partner,
Asociacion de Consultores y Asesores Internacionales (ACAI).
UNHCR representative Agni Castro referred post to ACAI for
suggested projects, and is supportive of this initiative.
5. Budget: USD 18,618.
-USD 8,830 for seven (7) computer workstations, one central
printer and software license acquisition. Computers will be
purchased through Dell, which provides a local on-site
service warranty, thereby reducing maintenance costs. The
language software to be used is Rosetta Stone, which will be
deployed in a server structure. The server-based version of
the program is both less expensive and prevents theft of
individual CD-ROM discs. ACAI has already implemented the
Microsoft Office suite within their office and will purchase
seven additional licenses to allow for expanded usage in the
learning center.
-USD 800 for facilities upgrades to ACAI's office space. The
space to be used currently serves dual purpose as a garage
and meeting room, but will be repurposed expressly to house
the learning center. This requires telephone and network
wiring installation, air conditioning installation, and alarm
system expansion to encompass the space.
-USD 7,488 for one-year part-time instructor salaries. ACAI
estimates that it can host 36 hours of classes per week: 24
hours of English, and 12 hours of computer training. The aim
is to have four English classes for two hours a day each,
offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and three computer
courses, also two hours each, on Tuesday and Thursday. Local
instructors are available for USD 4.00 per hour. USG funds
would finance the first year of instruction, while small
tuition fees charged to the students will be used to fund
continuing instruction. ACAI estimates that students will
have to pay approximately USD 10 per month for course
enrollment in order to maintain the program.
-USD 1,500 for furniture, floor covering, whiteboards, paper,
printer supplies, and miscellaneous materials costs.
6. Post certifies that it has the authority and capacity to
award a grant to the intended recipient agency prior to the
end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2006).
8. ACAI supports the six core principles of the UN
Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC),and post can fax the
required documentation to demonstrate this at PRM's request.
LANGDALE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR PRM/ECA JJOYCE, WHA/CEN JMACK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA'S 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES
PROPOSAL
REF: STATE 41367
1. Please find following Embassy San Jose's submission for
the 2006 Ambassador's Fund for Refugees.
2. Description of project: USD 18,618 to set up and operate
a training center in San Jose to provide English language and
computer skills training. The center will provide English
training from basic to advanced, with an emphasis on
providing refugees sufficient English skills to find
employment within Costa Rica's burgeoning tourism and service
sectors. In addition, the center will offer courses in basic
computer operation, as well as introductory courses in
Microsoft Office and Web publishing, also focused on
preparing students for integration into the local economy.
The center will be located in the centrally located
headquarters of the Asociacion de Consultores y Asesores
Internacionales (ACAI),UNHCR's local NGO partner. Teachers
at the center will be hired from local vocational centers,
with additional tutoring and teaching assistance from local
university students. ACAI estimates that there is
significant demand for such a center and anticipates
enrollment of approximately 500 students per year, depending
on class size and facility accommodations.
3. Justification for this request: While Costa Rica's
economy was historically dominated by agriculture, tourism
has become the largest single component of GDP, followed
closely by high-tech manufacturing and services. English and
computer skills are becoming important to finding a good job,
since the vast majority of tourists are American or European,
and many service jobs cater to an English-speaking clientele.
Many of Costa Rica's 14,000 refugees who lack English and
computer skills are unable to find work in the burgeoning
tourism sector. Costa Rica's refugee population is made up
primarily of semi-educated Colombians, and virtually all the
rest are from other Spanish-speaking countries in Latin
America. Lacking the vocational skills necessary for
employment and without their traditional family support
network, many refugees are economically marginalized and are
forced to work in the dwindling agricultural sector. ACAI
hopes to provide a means for these refugees to gain the
skills necessary to find employment in San Jose and other
urban areas.
4. Agency responsible for implementation/management of the
project funds: UNHCR's local NGO implementing partner,
Asociacion de Consultores y Asesores Internacionales (ACAI).
UNHCR representative Agni Castro referred post to ACAI for
suggested projects, and is supportive of this initiative.
5. Budget: USD 18,618.
-USD 8,830 for seven (7) computer workstations, one central
printer and software license acquisition. Computers will be
purchased through Dell, which provides a local on-site
service warranty, thereby reducing maintenance costs. The
language software to be used is Rosetta Stone, which will be
deployed in a server structure. The server-based version of
the program is both less expensive and prevents theft of
individual CD-ROM discs. ACAI has already implemented the
Microsoft Office suite within their office and will purchase
seven additional licenses to allow for expanded usage in the
learning center.
-USD 800 for facilities upgrades to ACAI's office space. The
space to be used currently serves dual purpose as a garage
and meeting room, but will be repurposed expressly to house
the learning center. This requires telephone and network
wiring installation, air conditioning installation, and alarm
system expansion to encompass the space.
-USD 7,488 for one-year part-time instructor salaries. ACAI
estimates that it can host 36 hours of classes per week: 24
hours of English, and 12 hours of computer training. The aim
is to have four English classes for two hours a day each,
offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and three computer
courses, also two hours each, on Tuesday and Thursday. Local
instructors are available for USD 4.00 per hour. USG funds
would finance the first year of instruction, while small
tuition fees charged to the students will be used to fund
continuing instruction. ACAI estimates that students will
have to pay approximately USD 10 per month for course
enrollment in order to maintain the program.
-USD 1,500 for furniture, floor covering, whiteboards, paper,
printer supplies, and miscellaneous materials costs.
6. Post certifies that it has the authority and capacity to
award a grant to the intended recipient agency prior to the
end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2006).
8. ACAI supports the six core principles of the UN
Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC),and post can fax the
required documentation to demonstrate this at PRM's request.
LANGDALE