Quepos monthy achievement report September 2016

Parades and lanterns and independence Oh my!

Objective
One of our objectives at GVI Quepos is to provide volunteers and interns with unique, safe,
responsible travel experiences, exceptional training and career development opportunities,
and facilitate the ability to make a real difference. We strive to provide volunteers and
interns with experiences through which they can learn about and feel a part of Costa Rican
culture. In this way we empower them to feel like a part of the community and inspire them
to truly leave their mark on this project and this town.
Summary
On September 15th, Costa Rica, celebrated Independence Day. GVI Quepos volunteers and
staff had the opportunity to attend the festivities and get to know more in depth the Costa
Rican culture. Everybody were enthusiastic about it, as it was a week full of cultural
activities and tico pride, and the volunteers enjoyed every bit of it.
Report
On September 15th, 1821, Costa Rica, along with Mexico and most of the rest of Central
America, earned its freedom from Spain. While these Latin American countries share some
similar customs, Costa Rica has developed some of its own traditions as well. Leading up
to, and on, Thursday, September 15th, 2016, we attended and observed our partners
participate in various Independence Day celebrations.
We started the week at project as per usual. One volunteer and one staff member went to the
local high school, Colegio Tecnico Profesional de Quepos (CTPQ), where we volunteer as
teaching assistants in the English classes. They spent the first two hours of the day working
in the classrooms, and then the festivities began. There was an assembly in the gymnasium
which all students and school staff attended. The national anthem was played to start off the
assembly. Several students performed poems they had written, and there was even a band of
about ten students and staff who performed music as well. Some of the students performed
traditional dances, complete with the typical cultural attire.

Project at El Cocal went a little differently on this week. We still had our social/emotional
learning classes on Tuesday and Wednesday with the kids. The difference was, the students
were also frantically preparing their faroles, or lanterns, for the presentation and parade
that would take place on Wednesday evening. The faroles could look like just about
anything, and the
kids got creative.
Many of the kids
made theirs in the
form

of

houses, but
were
ships,

also

small
there
rocket
boats,

bumblebees, and the

list goes on and on.
They made them out of cardboard, plastic, or whatever materials they had available;
decorated them with construction paper, paint, pipe cleaners, foam, etc.; and used a small
candle to keep them lit for the presentation. Although we had classes going on, we also had
kids running to us all week asking for glue, scissors, and anything else we might have had.
It was all for the faroles, in which they took great pride, and it showed during the
presentation.
On Wednesday, there was the presentation of the faroles. We had adult English as normal
but ended early, so we and our students could watch the event. It started to rain right before
the presentation started. One of the members of the community and regular students at adult
English told us that its rained every year on this day, at least for the past ten years. The
parade was cancelled due to the rain but that didnt get anyones spirits down. The
presentation event took place on the covered, paved area outside of the school. Some kids
were still preparing their faroles up until the last minute, and constantly relighting them
because the wind from the rain was putting out the flame. The kids were very excited and
proud of their creations and took great care of them.
There were about a hundred people from the community there to take part in the show or
just to watch. They started with the national anthem during which everyone stood with their
hands on their hearts, facing the flag. There were then a few musical performances,
including some dances in which a few of our regular students performed.

After the performances were over, they had the presentation of the faroles. Students were
called up by grade level. Each class stood in a line and presented his or her lantern one by
one: yo hice una casa, el mo es un barco, yo hice una abeja, and so forth. We were
able to see how much thought and effort some of the kids put into their faroles and it was a
great experience for the volunteers and for the staff to see so many of the community
members all coming together. We even saw some of our students from CTPQ who we dont
usually see outside of school, and the volunteers enjoyed that as well.
The next day was Independence
Day.

There

was

no

school

anywhere and nearly everyone in

Quepos came downtown for the
parade, which started just a few
blocks from our house. We went
with the volunteers to watch the
parade

which

started

in

the

morning and lasted about four hours. Every school in Quepos was represented in the parade
along with other organizations and groups. Some made floats while others danced or simply
walked or marched to the beat of the music. Each group prepared a small presentation and
passed the judges once, then continued marching. The second time around, each group had
five minutes to perform their song, dance, or anything else they might have prepared. It was
a unique day full of culture and the volunteers were able to see how the people of this city
celebrate one of the most important days of the year.
There were no classes
on Friday, so we took
advantage of the day
and had camp at El
Cocal. Our theme was
circus, and it was
three hours full of
crafts,

games

and

sports

that

the

children loved. We had 22 kids, one of our highest turnouts at camp for the whole year. The
students enjoyed activities like carnival games, making clown masks out of paper plates,
and face painting. We finished the day with a water fight with water guns donated by one of

our wonderful volunteers. The kids had a blast, and so did the volunteers and staff. Camp
was the perfect way to end such a festive week.
We make a great effort to make our volunteers feel as comfortable and at home as possible.
It can be a bit difficult for anyone to feel part of a culture when in a foreign country where
they might not even know the language. However, here at GVI Quepos, volunteers tend to
feel very welcome and comfortable after a short period of time. This week was full of
cultural experience that made everyone feel included and accepted. Its safe to say that the
volunteers who participated in this week of patriotism came to know Costa Rica a lot better
and now have some great stories to take back home.
More next month,
Emily Dick
Quepos, Teaching English & community development Scholar