The icing on the cake in Conte Burika

Anna Dawson and LK Forrest spent their final phase in the remote indigenous reserve of Conte Burika, putting the finishing touches to our school and constructing living quarters for the resident teacher plus a fantastic comidor (dining room) for the students. Here they report back on the grand opening ceremony...

‘Welcome to Conte Burika,
such a lovely place, such a lovely place.
Livin’ it up at Conte Burika,
anytime of year, you find the Guaymi here’

The red, white and blue ribbons have been cut and the school has officially been inaugurated ready for it’s opening next year. Many words were spoken both on behalf of the community and Raleigh as well as a performance of our Conte Burika version of Hotel California. The speeches recognised the hard work and efforts of everyone involved, as well as the close bonds formed between Raleigh and the Guaymi people despite the different cultures.

Today’s celebration with the community has really highlighted quite how much all the groups have achieved here. Over the past few days we have seen the completion of the teacher’s accomodation and a nueva cocina for the school – even we were a little overwhelmed at the speed of their construction. I think it remains to be seen whose building is better, but it is fair to say which ever project the girls were involved with ran smoother! While the boys made the finishing touches to the building and their roofs were put on, the girls did what they do best and plaited ropes for children living outside the school.

The Guaymi tortillas have led to many jokes and much excitement; especially when combined with the potent mix of caffeine and sugar addictions which many of us have indulged in. We have even gone as far as recreating the famous Costa Rican ‘Pops’ milkshakes…. Who’d have thought powdered milk, sugar and vanilla could compare!

I think the majority of us would agree that the best part of being is how well the community have welcomed us. Initially a little reserved and unsure, they have fully warmed to us being here. Not only do they play practical jokes on us, they enjoy laughing and our limited skills in the kitchen, but are always quick to lend a hand! On the days we have cooked, nearly everyone would have gone hungry had it not been for their help with the fire stove. We found it slightly different to turning the dials on our gas and electric hobs at home! The first of our favourite evening past-times is chilling outside a local Guaymi rancho entertaining them with the sound of guitar and song.…teaching them songs in both English and Spanish was not the easiest of tasks. The way the kids run up to you, hold your hands, climb on your back and play with your hair, along with the way the women massage your shoulders affectionately really emphasises how much a part of the family we have become.

Ed, Neil, Tom and Mike walked a six-hour round trip to complete in a local football league. They played for Deportivo Alto Rio Claro, and helped them to win the match 4-0... a stunning victory!

The much anticipated arrival of chocolate and messages (we mean the Fieldbase visit!) led to great joy and contentment. The sugar rush combined with yet more caffeine led to an awful rendition of Back Street Boys by three members of the group (can you guess who?) including the casual loss of a pair of shorts! The only other thing to add is how some members of Zulu Nine have visited the long drop more than others. While some barely know what it looks like having held on to their rice and beans for over two weeks, others have been so frequently they have even nicknamed the long drop Lucy and Derek.

This is Zulu Nine, this is Zulu Nine, saying goodbye for the last time from the incredible, inspiring and irrepressibly kind community of Conte Burika. Singing, dancing, teaching, learning, cutting, carrying, building, cooking, talking, listening, smiling, over and out.