For over 4,000 years, the art of ceramics have, in one way or another, stayed with the Guanacaste people since their origin in pre-columbian times -- from traditional use at home -- up to their current production of replicas and decorative pieces. In Guatil & San Vicente of Nicoya in Costa Rica, this ancestral heritage has been handed down from generation-to-generation. Up until the 50’s, the largest production and sales of the pieces were for traditional use at home. These products were very well known throughout the region and the materials to produce the products were extracted from mountains in the same area.

This meant a lot to the people of the area because it gave them an income, especially the women, who were in charge of manufacturing the griddles, pots, jars and other pieces used at home. The situation changed in the 60’s and the 70’s when men were integrated to the production manufacturing replicas of pre-columbian and decorative pieces that were very much liked by the growing tourism Costa Rica was beginning to experience.

In the Community of Guaitil, more than half of the population older than 12 years old is involved in the production of ceramics. Some are in charge of collecting the materials in the mountains, others give shape to the sculptures and others paint them and sell the pieces. There’s even a group in charge of collecting the wood necessary to use in the traditional mood ovens that are used in finishing the process of the pieces.

The pieces are made in the houses of the people and in community workshops where the young people learn how to be an artisan. One of the strategies that they’re using to promote these beautiful pieces is the Eco Museum, where this is used to preserved the arts and the learning process. Currently, part of the production is positioned in national and international markets, but because they’re not getting a lot of visitors and therefore, not getting an income. Some of the people, especially the young ones, are migrating to work for major hotels in Guanacaste.

This is where Tropical Adventures comes in. Our way to help them out is to help expose them to the tourist market and to help provide them with more volunteer help to assist them with tours and translations. It would truly be a tragedy to lose such a beautiful and long-lasting piece of our culture here. In this process, our volunteers are able to learn how to manufacture these beautiful pieces, live with an artisan family, enjoy their unique and delicious food, participate in community activities and finish with a big dinner created to present the pieces that they have made with their host families and enjoy a night of celebration with all the people in town.

If you're interested in more information about our Guaitil project, please contact us at 1-800-832-9419 from the US or Canada, email us or call +506-25-74-44-12 internationally.

Watch a video from Guaitil.

Susan was a volunteer with Tropical Adventures back in October of 2007 on the Talamanca Indigenous Reservation. She worked with the community, the elementary school and the retirement home. She's one of our many "dream" volunteers who came with a great attitude, worked hard, fell in love with the people here and who continues to stay in touch and help us out in many ways. She's part of our very large and extended Tropical Adventures Family. "We love you Susan!" Here is her story...

In the Talamanca mountains of south eastern Costa Rica, the village of Bambu consists of about 20 houses, two small stores, a retirement home, an elementary school, a beautiful cultural center, and some of the nicest people you will ever meet! My recent time there was a wonderful, fulfilling experience and I promised myself I will go back soon.

Why did I choose Tropical Adventures? After hearing about them on another trip to Costa Rica last winter, I contacted the staff and was warmly welcomed as a potential volunteer. My emails were always answered quickly and full of information. No question was too silly or insignificant not to warrant a prompt, helpful response. I felt comfortable with the price that included everything from airport pick up, medical coverage, local coordinators in the area, and well-screened host families. Care was taken to consider my talents and interests and also the needs of the community I would be visiting.

Bambu and I turned out to be a great match. My host family was delightful. Their house was rustic, with an outdoor shower and toilet, but clean and I had a private room. My host “mother” provided three meals a day centered around rice, beans and plantains. Flory also made the most delicious tortillas for breakfast and, of course, rich Costa Rican coffee. My host “father” Gilbert left early in the morning for work and returned after dark but still had time to study a little English with me. Their son, Flander, who is 8 was a charming little fellow; well behaved and full of questions for me.

My second day in Bambu there was a baby shower. About 25 women from the community gathered. It was great to meet so many people so soon. We decorated the hall with balloons and crepe paper, made chop suey (chicken, vegetables and noodles) for a snack and rice pudding and lemon tea for dessert. The shower was a surprise for the mother to be and she was delighted. Sister Elizabeth from the retirement home led the party games and there were lots of giggles.

Gilbert loved the French toast I made at breakfast one day, first time for both French toast and Canadian maple syrup. The whole family loved to hear the story of where maple syrup comes from and how it is produced.

I love cooking and another day I made deviled eggs for the family and neighbors. I was surprised at the store. It is not unusual here to buy only 3 or 4 eggs at a time. The shopkeeper really looked surprised when I asked for eighteen. You can also purchase many things here in small amounts, only one aspirin from a bottle, 20gm packages of peanuts, little bags of mayonnaise with a spout.

The Bambu Retirement Home is an amazing place, with 20 well cared for and loved seniors. The building is simple and kept spotlessly clean. Run by three nuns who have a great sense of humour, fun and lots of love for the residents.

Breakfast was over by 9am when I arrived and from then until 12 noon it was time for crafts and exercise. Everyone who could possibly participate did. We made popsicle houses, fish from recycled pop bottles, flowers from coffee filters, cut up old calendars, colored, decorated plant holders made from old pop bottles, painted balsa wood cut outs and decorated them with dollar store decorations I had brought.

The faces of the residents beamed with pleasure as Hermana (Sister) Blanca praised and admired their work. Exercise is taken serious here, again, everyone who is able to participates. Five residents a day use the exercise bike, but it really needs replacing, held together with rope, screws falling out, it was a sad site!

After my morning at the retirement home I went to the elementary school and taught English to nine grade 6 students for an hour. The students favourite activity was word bingo, maybe it was the stickers I handed out as prizes!

After a few hours off in the afternoon, when I rested and did some prep work for teaching the next day, I went to the Cultural Center to teach English again in the evening for a few hours.

Before leaving Canada, co workers at the nursing home in Canada were I work donated money to buy supplies for the Home, I shopped in Cosco In San Jose and a friend from Costa Rica delivered them to Bambu on my last day there.

My last day in Bambu was also special because the director and other volunteers from Tropical Adventures came to give the ladies bedrooms and bathrooms and freshen up with a much needed coat of paint. My friends from San Jose (Jose is the Director Fuerza Publica for Costa Rica) arrived and brought with them some local police men that helped us paint.

The residents loved all the excitement, there was lots of laughter as the work got down in record time by people from Costa Rica, Canada, The United States, Columbia and Venezuela all working together.

I really want to thank Tropical Adventures and the people of Bambu for a warm welcome and the wonderful opportunity to live and work along side so many great people!

Susan Schuetze