Improved rain forest trails, a chapel, new game room and increased capacity are among the latest additions at the Manu Center for Recreation and Training, part of a $92,000 offering from ILCO's companion synod in Southwestern Texas.
 
Manu Center was created in 1995 by three institutions: the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO), the Educational Cooperative for Costa Rican Development (CEDECO), and Ecumenical Services for Christian Development in Central America (SEFCA). The 12-hectare center boasts primary rain forest and is used for youth camps, workshops and training activities for a variety of nonprofits and ecumenical organizations. It also offers a recreational and reflective space for local and international visitors.

The offering campaign launched by the Southwestern Texas Synod, part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the companion synod relationship with ILCO. The campaign, dubbed “Together – Faithful and Bold,” is meant to reach two goals, both of which are aimed to support ILCO's long-term sustainability. First, projects funded by the offering will help strengthen the capacities and abilities of youth leaders. Second, the offering projects will help provide adequate infrastructure at the Manu Training and Recreation Center.

At Manu Center, those projects include:
Trails: This project improves the rain forest trails in Manu Center’s 20 acres of primary rain forest - that is, pristine, untouched forest. The trails development includes the construction of bridges and platforms and the installation of wildlife stations for outdoor education.

Capacity: The project increases Manu’s capacity from 42 to 72 people. Each of the 12 cabins now can host up to 5 people, thanks to more bunk beds. An additional, dorm-style common sleeping area was created above the main “rancho,” or multi-purpose space, which can host up to 12 people.

Chapel: Although many Lutherans and other Christian groups frequently use Manu’s facilities, there was no dedicated worship space. The chapel, completed in March 2009, is already being utilized by both Lutherans in Costa Rica and ELCA delegations. The chapel can also be used as a multi-purpose space.

Mini-Gym: This project is still under development. It would include a covered, multipurpose mini-gym with space for activities such as indoor soccer, volleyball, basketball, cultural activities, cooperatives games, music, dance and more. The project also encompasses the renovation of an existing game room.

To help strengthen the capacities of youth leaders, a team from ILCO and the Soccer for Life foundation met to formulate an ecumenical course to both educate and empower youth. The course would consist of four workshops of 16 hours each, with 30 youth participants. Key topics include sexuality and gender, youth citizenship, youth spirituality and popular education. Materials from the youth leadership course would also be published, so that its contents can be replicated in youth groups throughout Costa Rica.

Some 176 congregations in six conferences participated in the offering campaign, raising nearly $92,000. The process included two visits from Southwestern Texas Synod delegations – one in November 2007, and a second visit in March 2009 to review the progress made.