COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
Welcome to Drake Bay Getaway Resort, where our commitment to the local community is at the heart of everything we do. As the owners of this beautiful resort, we understand that the success of our venture is intrinsically linked to the empowerment, participation and sustainable development of the community around us. That's why we work tirelessly to build strong, positive relationships with our community, and to ensure that our business practices align with its needs and values.
At Drake Bay Getaway Resort, we have a zero tolerance policy towards the sexual exploitation of children, drug trafficking, child labor, and other social problems that affect Costa Rica. We believe that it's our responsibility to not only educate ourselves and our staff about these issues, but also to actively work to prevent them from occurring. That's why we provide extensive training to our team members on how to identify and report suspected cases of abuse or exploitation, and we encourage everyone who stays with us to join us in our efforts to make a positive impact on our community.
Like the local flowers that adorn our resort, we believe that the beauty and vitality of Drake Bay comes from the people who live and work here. We're committed to doing our part to ensure that this community thrives for generations to come, and we hope that you'll join us in our efforts to create a brighter future for everyone who calls this place home. Thank you for choosing Drake Bay Getaway Resort as your home away from home, and we look forward to sharing this incredible journey with you.
Some of the community initiatives we are most proud of include
In 2017, we provided construction materials to the primary school in Drake Bay. The donation was intended to cover the roof of the school building with white paint, which would help to lower the temperature in the classrooms and prevent leaks. Additionally, we procured ceiling fans to improve ventilation in the classrooms.
In 2019, we created the Steller Ludwig Foundation to help communities and other organizations in the Osa Peninsula. The STELLER LUDWIG FOUNDATION, a nonprofit corporation based in the state of Washington, USA. It is a public charity 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi). Employee Identification Number 84-3647572. US donors can deduct their contributions under IRC Section 170.
During 2022, our Steller Ludwig Foundation donated all the construction materials and manual labor to transform the preexisting local community meeting center into an official high school that serves the entire Drake Bay district. Currently, more than 120 children have enrolled in this high school. Furthermore, we gifted 20 laptops to the students with the highest overall grades to support their academic pursuits.
We work closely with local organizations in our community including The Integrated Development Association of Drake (La Asociación de Desarrollo Integral de Drake), Drake District Sports Committee (Comité De Deportes Distrital Drake), Bahía Drake Rural High School Administrative Board (Junta Administrativa Liceo Rural Bahía Drake), just to mention a few.
Drake Bay Getaway Resort continually offers free usage of our hotel's restaurant as a local meeting space for community groups, environmental organizations and schools.
We continuously support local farmers and fishermen by buying their produce and seafood. We hire and train local residents for various hotel positions including chefs, cooks, gardeners, and housekeepers. We also work with local professional tour guides, boat captains, masseuse, and carpenters throughout the year.
Our latest work by Steller Ludwig Foundation
Driven by their deep connection to the land and the people who inhabit it, Yens Steller and Patrick Ludwig founded the Steller Ludwig Foundation with a bold and visionary mission: to empower and uplift communities in need through education and healthcare initiatives. Their passion for giving back to those who have given so much to their country is a shining example of what we can achieve when we combine our talents and resources to make a positive impact.
Internet & power for ranger stations
The Costa Rica's tourism industry and national park system continue to be greatly affected by COVID-19.Our foundation partnered with a third party to provide temporary internet access to two mayor ranger stations until the government of Costa Rica provides a permanent solution.
Environmental assessment training
In order to improve the standard of living of our communities, our foundation formed a partnership with the official conservation group (ACOSA) responsible for our local national parks and protected areas.
Community drinking water supply
Our foundation formed a partnership with our local Community Aqueduct & Sewage Systems Administration Association (ASADA) in order to improve our community's drinking water quality and aqueduct system. We have hired outside consultants to conduct an extensive study of our existing aqueduct system and provide a scalable solution in order to meet our community's growing water needs.
Community work exchange
We have completed over half the distance of a long and beautiful coastal trail between the community of Drake Bay and the Punta Rio Claro National Wildlife Refuge. We are extremely proud of all our volunteers from the Drake Bay area.
Bridge repair
With the help of 12 volunteers, our foundation repaired one of the main hanging bridges used by our community. The bridge was built over 20 years ago and had already rotted through in multiple locations.
Community work exchange
The rising sea level and intensified storms caused by the ongoing global Climate Change threatens to take away our existing medical clinic. There is a current project to build a new clinic, but it will take a while to complete. With the support of our foundation, a group of volunteers from our community built a concrete retaining wall and a new path in front of our local medical clinic to slow down the coastline erosion caused by the rising sea level . The clinic provides general medical services to 2,000 people in our Drake district (over five communities).