Cuesta’s Costa Rican Connection

 
What do Costa Rican tropical rainforests; refugees, cerebral palsy patients, David Hasselhoff of Bay Watch fame, and Cuesta College have in common? In December, our very own publications coordinator/staff photographer Stephan Gunsaulus was a volunteer for the International charity Wheels for Humanity. The organization provides custom fitted wheel chairs, for primarily pediatric cerebral palsy patients throughout the world.

Gunsaulus lent his talents as an accomplished still and video photographer to Wheels for Humanity to help develop promotional media for print and television. "This trip changed my life, I had no idea what these wheelchairs meant to the recipients, or how much work is involved in this type of effort," said Gunsaulus.

Working with an international team of physical and occupational therapists, Gunsaulus documented the often-long process of evaluating and fitting a high-tech wheelchair to address the unique needs of the patients. He additionally filmed the actor David Hasselhoff, a new board member of Wheels for Humanity, for PSAs that will be used by the charity. Additionally, Gunsaulus has scheduled a series of image intensive presentations for local service groups to extol the virtues of volunteerism and the nature of the work performed by Wheels for Humanity.

As a member of the Hispanic community, Gunsaulus feels strongly about helping developing countries in North America and he has arranged to get space in a wheelchair shipment to deliver much needed computers to the Costa Rican schools. "I was told by former school teachers that a typical Costa Rican school of 1,000 students might have two to three computers, " said Gunsaulus.

According to former educators in Costa Rica, the children need computers, Pentium II or newer, to increase their computer literacy and help prepare the developing county for the digital revolution. If you have an obsolete computer, Pentium II or newer, to donate (the donation will be to an IRS approved charitable gift) or are interested in hearing more about the effort, contact Stephan Gunsaulus at est. 3153 or email him at sgunsaul@cuesta.edu.

 



Actor David Hasselhoff, a new board member of Wheels for Humanity and a Costa Rican boy.

Costa Rican children need computers. Please donate your obsolete computer!