Today, October 10, we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas of Villanova, patron of the Order’s studies, who dedicated his life to teaching, evangelization and charity. Precisely, one of the initiatives that for more than six decades has transformed the lives of young people is the Ciudad de los Niños in Costa Rica.
This institution, located in Aguacaliente (Cartago) and administered by the Augustinian Recollect friars, provides young people of limited resources with an integral formation that includes not only academics, but also human and spiritual formation, in addition to offering them a home.
Gonzalo Araya, in charge of communications at Ciudad de los Niños, explained in a recent interview that this project was born in 1958 under the initiative of an Augustinian Assumptionist priest who sought to create a shelter for children living in poverty in Costa Rica: “The situation of the country at that time was very difficult, and it was the vision of the Augustinian Recollect friars that made it possible to give shape to what today is a real life project for these young people”.
As Gonzalo has pointed out, Ciudad de los Niños not only focuses on providing an academic education to its young people, but also offers an integral formation that covers areas such as spirituality, human development and health: “We have psychologists, social workers, human formators and friars who are in charge of accompanying the young people in their personal growth process. In addition, we have created spaces where spiritual formation is encouraged through catechesis and activities that bring the young people closer to God”.
The comprehensive approach also includes technical training that enables young people to graduate from the institution with a specialty that prepares them for the world of work: “We offer workshops in areas such as agriculture, carpentry, electricity, welding and automotive mechanics, among others. This allows them to graduate with an intermediate technical degree and, in many cases, to enter directly into the labor market”. In addition, according to Araya, between 60% and 70% of the young people who complete their training at Ciudad de los Niños find employment after graduation.
“A real home.”
The young people who enter Ciudad de los Niños not only find a place to study, but a real home. 
The institution has 14 hostels and five residences where the children are cared for by trainers or couples who act as “parents” to them: “Living together in the hostels teaches the young people values such as responsibility, discipline and teamwork. From small habits such as making their bed or washing their dishes, to fulfilling their academic and professional tasks, it is all part of preparing them for adult life.” Throughout the year, the young people also have the opportunity to visit their families every five weeks, with financial support from the City to cover transportation costs.
Celebrating 66 years of history
This year, 2024, Boys Town celebrates its 66th anniversary: “Our motto is ‘We Build Youth with a Future,’ and that is what we have done for more than six decades. We take pride in knowing that we have helped shape not only professionals, but people with values that make a difference in society.”
Before concluding, Gonzalo insisted that Ciudad de los Niños opens its doors for enrollment every year, but that “it is important for families to understand that this is not a reformatory or a rehabilitation center, but a place where young people who wish to study and improve themselves find a space to grow personally and professionally. Here they build their future with the support of more than 130 collaborators dedicated to their well-being”.
