Independence Day celebrations here in Costa Rica are definitely worth blogging about. September 15 happens to be the anniversary when almost all Central American countries celebrate their independence: Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica.

The tradition goes that a torch is lit in Guatemala City and carried throughout the towns and villages of Central America, and throughout Costa Rica. On Monday 14th the torch reached our local town: San Isidro de General, and traveled up the long road to San Gerardo de Rivas via Guadeloupe, Chimirol, Canaan to our Salon Comunal.

During the day the school children made faroles – little wooden or cardboard houses to represent their homes, containing a candle and mounted on a pole. At 5:30 p.m. as it grew dark, we all came together and the children paraded their faroles around the plaza, singing the traditional songs for 15 de setiembre: “Himno de 15 de setiembre”, “La Patriotica Costariciense” and “La Diana”. In the Salon there were traditional dances performed by the children, and stories retold of how Costa Rica attained its independence and the flag and the crest came into being. The torches traveled home with everyone as tired and ready for the holiday the next day everyone dispersed.

At 5:30 a.m. on September 15th itself the children assembled in the School and sang “La Diana” once again. It was a very special opportunity for everyone to display a pride in their country and their traditions.
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Grupo Wak Tsuri in San Gerardo de Rivas

Gilberth Dondi assists with First Aid Instruction

During the same week Proyecto San Gerardo helped out with a group of Guides and Scouts (girls and boys) from all over southern Costa Rica who came to San Gerardo to practice their skills in anticipation of a national competition in Guanacaste in December.

They came to San Gerardo to work with Gilberth Dondi – an adventurer and volunteer known throughout the country for his outdoor skills in rafting, kayaking, mountaineering and survival. ‘Dondi’ is a Red Cross volunteer of some 30 years and is called upon regularly to lead rescue operations for downed planes in the remote mountain ranges, or coordinate disaster responses, such as the recent earthquake near Alajuela (January 2009). He was joined by Red Cross instructor Jorge Flores and group leader Mercedes Vázquez.

Wak Tsuri member practises CPR

In San Gerardo the youth practiced their life saving skills including mountain rescue – rappelling, how to improvise stretchers, splints and bandages in the wild, and other survival skills. Proyecto San Gerardo was happy to provide the mannequins for CPR practice and we aim to work together to provide more First Aid and Disaster Preparedness training to the community in the future.