The only mention of a group referred to as "Grupo Vida" in Costa Rica found among the sources consulted is a support group of Alcoholics Anonymous. The group, called Vida, is referred to in news reports as "grupo Vida," and is reported to hold daily meetings and to have existed since 1981 (La Nación 2 Oct. 1999; ibid. 27 Aug. 1998).

The only group found that provides support to people with AIDS3/4although not exclusively homosexuals3/4and named "Vida" is the "Fundación Vida," or Life Foundation. Fundación Vida marked its 10th anniversary in November 1999 (ibid. 5 Nov. 1999). The foundation is a non-government organization that provides "economic and emotional support" to persons with AIDS and their relatives (ibid.). It was formed by a group of health professionals who noticed that persons suffering from AIDS "often died socially before they died physically," and has been working since to raise awareness and improve the quality of life of HIV-positive persons (ibid.). In November 1999 the executive director of the foundation was Cristina Garita (ibid.).

During a 23 August 2000 telephone interview, a representative at the Fundación Vida stated that their organization has no knowledge of a "Grupo Vida" or another organization with the name "Vida," at least not a large Costa Rican organization nor one in San José, with a similar line of work as theirs, although this does not exclude the possibility that there is some small homosexual or AIDS support group elsewhere in Costa Rica that bears the name "Vida". The representative added that, to the best of their knowledge, there is no group bearing the name "Contra la Vida" or a similar name that opposes the foundation's work.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Fundación Vida, San José. 23 August 2000. Telephone interview with representative.

La Nación [San José]. 5 November 1999. Robert E. Lee. "Constructores de la vida." http://www.nacion.co.cr/ln_ee/1999/noviembre/05/pais0.html [Accessed 23 Aug. 2000]

_____. 2 October 1999. "Agenda." http://www.nacion.co.cr/viva/1999/octubre/02/ soc3.html [Accessed 23 Aug. 2000]

_____. 27 August 1998. "Agenda Social." http://www.nacion.co.cr/viva/1998/agosto/ soc2.html [Accessed 23 Aug. 2000]

Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. 1995-1999.

Central America Report [Guatemala]. 1997-Aug. 2000.

IRB Databases.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1995-1999.
Note:

This list is not exhaustive. Subject and country-specific publications available at the Resource Centre are not included.