What the HECK is happening at The Monkey Farm???

The Super Short Story…

Carlos “Before” joining our family

Carlos arrived at the farm

Carlos became part of our family

After feeding the homeless every Tuesday for years, in early March this year, two of our “regulars”, Fernando and Napoleon, asked for help in getting out of the homeless alcoholic lifestyle.  We have heard countless horror stories about how patients are used, abused and exploited by “addiction recovery centers” here in Costa Rica, which have an extremely low success rate. We didn’t know what to do to help them, so we brought them home. The only rule was that they couldn’t drink alcohol or smoke.

At first, they were too weak to do much, so they just rested, slept and ate. As they got stronger, they were given small tasks and responsibilities so they could feel they are part of the project. As their health improved, they started taking it upon themselves to do a little more like planting corn and other food and taking turns with the cooking. They also help make the food on Tuesday and go with us to serve the homeless.

Other homeless people there see the drastic changes in them and started wondering what was going on. April 5th, another homeless guy, Camilo, joined us in living at the farm.  Mid-April, Fernando felt sufficiently on his feet, and got a job and rented a room nearby.

Fernando, now a featured speaker at AA meetings!

May 7^th, Fernando, now well on his feet, brought and introduced us to another homeless guy, Miguel. We brought Miguel home with us that night.

May 24^th, we went and found Napoleon’s son who was completely shocked to see his Dad, sober, healthy and looking good. He hadn’t seen him in four years and didn’t know what had happened to him. Within the next two hours, his daughter and younger son called in shock and amazement to talk to him. There were lots of tears of joy that day.

Somewhere along this time, I stumbled on a video and then a book called “Welcome Homeless“, describing a community in Austin, Texas that gives homeless people community and makes them part of the family forever. The stability and security helps them overcome their addictions more than anything else. The philosophy of the founder is that you can never solve homelessness with just homes. He believes that man’s basic needs are not food and shelter, they are to be fully known and fully loved in addition to having a permanent home. When these needs are met, everything else falls in place and they recovery from their addictions. We decided to model our project after theirs. We make a conscious effort daily to know each of our family members better and to demonstrate love and acceptance.

Armando trying out his new glasses

May 29^th, Armando, another homeless alcoholic from the Tuesday dinners, pleaded with us for help and moved in with us at the farm. This same week, two homeless and addicted women said they’d like help, but we determined they aren’t ready yet. One is 28-year-old, Pamela, who is pregnant with her 6^th baby. All the others have been taken away and she is not even allowed to visit them. The other woman is Maritza, who has been living on the streets for many years.

The farm is now filled with fun, laughter and love. Completely different atmosphere than before.

June 4^th, At the Tuesday dinner, I was asked if Napoleon’s homeless friend could come stay at the farm. I said, “No, we don’t have any room left”.  Later, I saw Napoleon looking sad, sitting next to his friend. I went over to see why he was so sad and realized who his friend was, another sweet old man who we had been feeding for years. He said he was afraid because there was a lot of lightning and he has metal in his hip and ankle and he was afraid the storms would kill him if he slept on the beach, but he didn’t have anywhere else to sleep.  That night, we brought home Rafael Angel.  We put him in the barn on a futon and I told him he was sleeping in the stable like Jesus.

June 25^th, a Costa Rican friend from church came over to help us try to balance our budget and meals/menu, as we are struggling to feed all these people. I told her that all these men were fishermen in the past and we hope to buy a small 2-3-person boat they could row out to catch fish and help feed us all with free fish. She told me that her husband had just lost his job and they have a boat they must sell to pay their bills. It is a 6-person Boston Whaler, made in Florida, that is a virtually “unsinkable” boat. She said for us, they would sell the boat, the trailer, oars and anchor, and parts for the bimini top, for only $850!  I took pictures and showed the men and they are extremely excited about it and planning to paint it and fix it up.  One friend came and brought us a nice fishing rod and another donated more fishing equipment.

June 26^th, Armando, pressured to work to pay his child support, left with Fernando, who is still doing great! This freed up a bed for Carlos who we adopted later that day, our next formerly homeless, alcoholic family member. Carlos is the one pictured at the very top.

Boston Whaler on the trailer

Six-Person Boston Whaler with parts for shade top

This brings us to today with the men on the top left photo all as part of our long-term family. Please help us to invest in this boat, to empower these clean and sober men to feel they can contribute with their fishing expertise by providing food for the whole family! We added just a little bit extra to buy new paint. Every dollar counts and is greatly appreciated.