The ISA Program acknowledges the need for comprehensive improvement in the conditions contributing to the quality of life. Its mission as a program is to "Enhance the health of the inhabitants of the Huetar Atlántica region through the analysis of the impact of pesticides on the child population within their social context, in a participatory manner, while respecting environmental, equity, and gender principles, and promoting the implementation of alternatives to pesticide use."
Previously in Matina, the results have been communicated to various social actors involved in health, water, and environmental issues in the area. More recently, it is worth mentioning that in mid-2016, the local team of the Comprehensive and Intersectoral Care System for the Development of Children in Costa Rica (SAIID) requested an informational meeting for directors and teachers of preschools in Matina from the regional coordinators of preparatory and special education of the Ministry of Education and the ISA Program. The meeting took place at the Cuba Creek Pedagogical Unit. During the meeting, the latest results of the ISA Program were presented. The teachers showed interest and willingness to collaborate, and they also expressed concern about pesticide exposure in their respective educational centers. The SAIID team expressed interest in working on the pesticide issue as a cross-cutting axis, supported by academics from the ISA Program. Additionally, it was agreed to initiate collaboration between the schools and the ISA Program and to coordinate a meeting with the regional SAIID team to inform them about the findings of the ISA Program.
In the same line, it is worth mentioning the collaboration and commitment to a coordinated effort with the Pedagogy Master's program at the Center for Research and Teaching in Education (CIDE), which seeks to create accessible educational material to inform and train the population. During a first visit to Matina, the group of teachers and students from UNA observed and engaged in dialogues with some of the women participating in the study, witnessing the evident need for information they express, among which topics such as "possibilities of stimulation in various areas of child development" were mentioned.
The development of textual and audiovisual material, a website, and a web radio station are alternatives that arise from this visit as ideas to disseminate information among the women in the study and the general population.
Undoubtedly, the ISA program is strengthened with this new ally, thanks to the teachers and students of the Pedagogy Master's program and the Preschool career.