A summary of Zulu 6s phase in Yorkin

By Christine Harry

Located 4 hours south of Raleigh HQ in Turrialba, on the border with Panama, the BriBri indigenous reserve of Talamanca is very isolated. We set off down river in dug-out canoes, a 45 minute trip cutting through the jungle, with Costa Rica on our right and Panama on our left. When we arrived at Yorkin we did not know what to expect, but we were met very warmly by the BriBris. Our home for the next 3 weeks was truly stunning- an ecotourism centre on the banks of the river. Seventeen years ago the women of Yorkin came up with a pioneering initiative to improve their community. Their idea was to create a co-operative directed solely by women, an idea which ran counter to prevailing gender roles and contemporary social values. Despite facing many challenges, the women succeeded in creating an organisation which makes and sells traditional handicrafts work, with all profits being divided equally between the local communities and workers. Now they also host volunteers and offer tours of the area. The co-operative- ´StiBrawpa- Mujeres Artesanas´- has three main objectives: to preserve the BriBri culture in an increasingly globalized society, to protect the natural environment and to generate money to support the families and thus prevent people leaving Yorkin to find work elsewhere. It was very inspiring to hear how the community turned their fortunes around and it really put the work we did for them into perspective. The BriBri had been badly affected by a massive flood in 2008. It washed away the ecolodge, the school, the medical centre, many houses, and with it all that they had worked so hard to achieve. Our group rebuilt a 300 metre path which had been obliterated. It was challenging physical work but our group got on so well it made it a lot easier and very fun, too. We worked with a local engineer to finish off a new bridge, and when we completed the path we began working alongside locals to construct a new bathroom and also some benches. In addition to our work, we were able to gain a real insight into the BriBri culture. We had workshops on traditional handicrafts, using a bow and arrow and even chocolate making! The women´s co-operative also gave us talks on the origins of the business and their culture and traditions. We also had the opportunity to learn some of their language, BriBri. Towards the end of our stay we were lucky enough to visit a beautiful waterfall just over the border in Panama. It was a tough climb to reach it as it is in the middle of the jungle, but well worth it to be able to spend the day in such a stunning location. All in all, it was a very special and enjoyable 3 weeks.

Laura and Oli out the finishing touches to the bridge

At the worksite

The group with one of the benches they made

Sampling the locally produced chocolate

Sam tries his hand at chocolate making

Gigi, Laura, Sam and Oli at the waterfall

Zulu 3 enjoying the waterfall

A wet departure in canoes