So Thursday morning a little bit later as planned (but hey that’s Costa Rica) we left the office. After picking up Harold a friend and a visit to the grocery store we headed south. As we were getting closer to Puerto Viejo we could see a lot of damage. It was terrible to see everything that got destroyed by the terrible flooding. It was my first time here, so I don’t know what it looked like before and I can’t even imagine. I saw destroyed tree-stumps that used to be beautiful palm trees and a small creek that used to be a big river. Such a drastic change in a landscape and in so many lives caused by a natural disaster.
A bumpy ride and lots of amazing and heartbreaking views later we arrived in Bambu.
We went to the cultural center, this amazing looking wooden construction in the middle of the forests. This is one of the places where volunteers can stay when they are working at projects in Bambu. This big wooden building reminded me of a big tree hut. We walked into the cultural center and in the back of the center we saw all these beds with mosquito nets over them and a towel folded up at the pillow. As soon as Harold and I saw that we said: ‘It would be so cool to sleep here’. Before the town meeting started we went to another place to give backpacks that Kathi Mudd donated together with her school Saint Patrick. in Chesterton Indiana. They donated 15 backpacks for the kids in the indigenous reservation and the were also the ones that donated all the gifts for the Christmas party this last December. in Bambu. We met with three guys down by the river. Two brothers (see picture) their mother died and their father abandoned them. They are living with their aunt now. Helen Spencer, who came to volunteer with her family two years ago is sponsoring them with money through children incorporated.
When we came back to the cultural center the town meeting started. Isaac explained everything about Children Inc. and their plans to the people in Bambu. About the new intern coming to Bambu and staying there for 6 months to give the next step for a long term relationship, about the costumer service, the building and the all the preparation needed. At the end of the meeting all the people present at the town meeting had the chance to give their ideas about what products to sell at the farmers market and they could ask questions about the project.
After the meeting we left Bambu and headed for Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo is a small beach town at the Caribbean coast. It was my first time there and I loved it. Everyone is so nice and so laid back, just enjoying the beach and the weather.
The next day we first went to the elementary school in Puerto Viejo. I am from Holland and this is really not what I am used to, no this is totally different. This school was small, there is not much for the children. Especially in this area it is important to make it pleasant for children to go to school, to make sure they keep on learning. I read the positive and amazing stories from the volunteers who volunteered in this school and I can really imagine that you can have a great time here. The children are so sweet and so welcoming.
The weather was nice that day so we went to the beach at Punta Uva. As I was walking through the sand and enjoying the sea, we lost Isaac. After a while I found him and he asked me if I wanted to see some monkeys and great views from in the jungle. After a little hesitation I followed him into the jungle. As soon as I entered the woods I heard this unbelievably loud noise, it sounded like a humongous animal and it scared the crap out of me. I looked around me and didn’t see anything. I looked up into the trees and saw a lot of monkeys. It was amazing, all these little monkey making this incredible loud noise. After a 10 minute hike we arrived at this point in the middle of the jungle with a beautiful view over the beach.
The next day we had to get back to Paraiso again. On our way back we made a quick stop at the retirement home also located in Bambu. I went out of the car and just took a look around. See everything that all the volunteers had already done there. As soon as I saw all the elderly people outside sitting on the porch, I felt a little awkward, because I really wanted to do something, but I knew it was only a quick stop just to say hello and to see how everything was going. As I was walking around I saw this woman trying to get out of a room in her wheelchair; I opened the door for her to make it a little easier for her to get out. Just a little effort and she was so thankful, she kept saying thank you all the time. It was great and touching to see everything that was going on in the retirement home, all the work that has already been accomplished, but also all the things that still need to be done.
After a quick stop at the retirement home we went to a woman called Toribia to bring her all the food we bought before we left. Tropical Adventures is supporting her because she is a fighter. She is always ready to receive volunteers for the plaintain Organic, she is always very friendly with them and entrepreneur. She lost everything in the flooding. Tropical Adventures gave her a donation in November and now we stopped by to give her food and a donation of 80 dollars. Harold donated 45 dollars as well. So she could pay employees to start all over again with the plantain fields. Tropical Adventures is supporting her because she is a fighter and even with asthma she is still working directly on the fields.
These few days in Puerto Viejo and Bambu were a great experience for me. I really wanted to see the projects and saw a lot in a short time. It was great to see that everywhere we went Isaac knew everyone and it was amazing to see how thankful they are and how much they appreciate everything. I have been in Costa Rica for three weeks now and I just started my internship at Tropical Adventures. Off course I knew what they are doing and where, but when you see what they have accomplished with your own eyes it’s totally different. This experience really made me see that it’s so important to help less fortunate people and that they are so grateful for even the smallest things. It was a great experience. I got to see some amazing places, meet lovely people and enjoy “beautiful” nights in the restaurants and Jamaican bars in Puerto Viejo.
Lisette Beljon
Marketing intern