Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Delta 3: Alto Pacuar community project

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Delta 3: Alto Pacuar community project

Oscar Saborio, Daisy Bareham, Daniel Cowell, Tim Carden, Polly Roberts, Qi Li, Martine Kruseman, Luke Sparrow, Esteban Aguilar, Sue-Lyn Cashman-Pugsley, Kala Rudman, Emily Marley, Andy Martin, Hannah Love, Steph Davis, Ronald Caballero, Adriana Solorzano

Delta 3 will be based in the Cabecar indigenous community of Alto Pacuar, which is about 2 hours walk from the nearest road.

The Ministry of Education recently opened a new secondary school in Alto Pacuar. The only problem is that they only have one recently constructed classroom for the nearly 60-70 children, so they currently receive classes in a community centre. Delta 3 have plans to build two new classrooms to accommodate the extra classes.

Alto Pacuar is located in the Chirripo Indigneous Reserve, one of the remotest areas of Costa Rica. 16,216 hectares in size and covering the foothills of the Talamanca mountain range on the Atlantic side of the country, the reserve is populated by about 4,000 Cabecar people. Delta 3 will have an amazing opportunity to live as part of the community and learn more about traditional Cabecar culture.

We spoke to Delta 3 PM Sue-Lyn before she headed out with her team: "Our project site is such a stunning and unique location, unlike anything I've ever experienced. I'm really excited about the opportunity to get a different world view and help my whole team get a new perspective on their own lives. Plus I think we're going to have a lot of fun."

Julian's fascinating fact: The group will be living next to one of the Cabecars' most famous sukias (witch doctor).

5 comments:

Eileen, Bill and Chip Murphy21 July 2010 at 09:09
Excellent! We just have the update from Delta 3 with pictures. Thank you the photographic and blog team. Your Dad wants you to ask the sukia for an infallible cure for us fat people. We have spent the last few days at St Lucys decorating Dorothys bedroom. Tomorrow I must do my penance for 4 plus hours for speeding 2 months ago. It is at the Spectrum in Guildford. There is no pass or fail BUT if you do not diplay the RIGHT attitude they will eject you from the course so I had better take a chill pill before I go. You certainly have a PROJECT on your hands and you and all the team are in our thoughts and best wishes to you all. Love Mum, Dad and Chip Murphy
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Anonymous21 July 2010 at 10:17
Lieve Martine, delta 3 (10G)
Ik las over je project, maar dat verhaal kende ik eigenlijk al. Las ook over een ander project van een andere delta-groep, dus dat zal wel vergelijkbaar zijn. Wat zul je ongelofelijk veel ervaringen krijgen en hebben.
Wij zijn nog niet weg, zoals ik al een keer had geschreven, maar morgen hopen we in de auto te zitten. Vandaag ben ik jarig. heb een mooi dienblad en 2 leuke cd-jes gekregen, en als ik terug ben krijg ik van pappa geloof ik een armband die bij die platte parelketting hoort. Ik voel dat je aan ons denkt, wij ook heel veel aan jou. Nog drie weken vanaf nu. Heb eigenlijk nog geen echte brief geschreven. Hoop dat dat vanuit Frankrijk kan. Gelukkig neemt Annalie (die toch meegaat) haar laptop mee, zodat ik je op een afstand kan volgen. Louise blijft hier nog een nachtje slapen als wij al weg zijn, maar morgenavond komt GW weer thuis, dus is ze niet alleen. Ze vindt de rijlessen heel leuk en de instructeur aardig. Vrijdag gaat ze naar Domburg. Ik kijk uit naar de 9e augustus!, maar dat is nog een eind weg. Moet nu koffer pakken en we willen heel vroeg weg, maar de ervaring leert dat als we voor de middag weggaan, we al blij mogen zijn. Wens ons maar succes met de stress.....
Dag hele lieve schat, heb nog een hele goede tijd, dikke kus mamma xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Emma Wright23 July 2010 at 03:18
Dear Oscar Saborio-Romano (Delta 3)

Hello my little faffer! Hope you are ok and are having the most amazing time on project. It seems so funny to think of you over there on Raleigh again. I miss you!

Things ok here. I'm heading to India in two weeks' time to work for the charity that I think I bored you about. So excited :).

Sending big hugs.

Em x
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Crippsy!25 July 2010 at 05:36
Hi Sue-Lyn

Great mug shot, looks like you are all having a FAB time. Oh how I miss Costa Rica! We all miss you back here, it's really hot and sunny. Off to Rome soon, then you'll be back, time is flying. Very little exciting news on frogs for you.

All my love, Crippsy Xxxx
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Peter1428131 July 2010 at 10:23
Hi Sue-Lyn,
Glad everything is done there. Now they have a nice two classroom school where they can work, and study as they really want.
Thanks to help them I think whoever were there has had just one thing in their mind volunteer hard even in the morning and afternoon to see the school build on time.
It was my pleasure to work with you!!
Peter
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Raleigh Lingo

Copy that?

Sometimes our Raleigh technical terms can be a tad confusing so we've put together a glossary for you blog followers. This will appear as a quick-reference section on the right-hand column so you can translate our Tico-terms into something a bit more palatable. And for those keen to brush up their Central American Spanish, we've included some handy translations. Here's a few to get you started...

Alpha, X-Ray and Zulu groups
(Grupos Alfa, X-Ray y Zulu)
The official name for project groups during the phases of CR&N 13A. Alpha will be out on project from 3rd to 23rd February, X-Ray from 24th February to 15th March and Zulu from 17th March to 5th April. Project groups are allocated during induction

Basha
Jungle ‘bed’: consists of a tarpaulin for shelter, a hammock and mosquito net. A basha is hung up between two trees and supported by rope, bamboo and canvas straps

Bodega
A Spanish word meaning store or warehouse

Bravo
A term of endearment for our hard-working Land Rovers. The four vehicles are officially, and imaginatively named Bravo One, Two, Three and Four

C.A.T.I.E.
The agricultural and development research institute on whose campus Fieldbase is situated. Find out more at http://www.catie.ac.cr/

Changeover (Cambio de Fase)
Two day period where all staff and Venturers return from their project sites for some respite before they are all reallocated and sent off to do it all over again...

Chicas, Chicos
Spanish term meaning girls (chicas) or guys (chicos) or both (chicos aswell). As in “Vamonos chicos!” or “Let’s go guys!”

Craic
A way to gauge how people are feeling, usually measured from 0 to 90. If your ‘craic’ is high, you’re pretty happy. If you announce a low craic, people will probably fix you up with an energy bomb and a nice big hug

CR&N 13A
Costa Rica and Nicaragua expeditions 13A

Day Leader (DL) (Líder del día)
Every day on project, one of the Team is designated DL – they are in charge of the day, including organising the day’s briefing, keeping group morale up, dealing with any problems, sticking to schedule and de-briefing at the end of the day. The DL role rotates round the whole group so everyone takes a turn

Energizer (Actividad Levanta Muertos)
An activity to gather the group together and raise energy levels. Can be used at the beginning of the day, or whenever a quick pick-me-up is required

Energy bombs (Explosión de azucar)
A trekking treat – mix together oats, raisins, condensed milk and chocolate powder and roll into little balls of gooey goodness to power you through the day

Fieldbase (FB) (Campo Base)
Refers to the Raleigh ‘office residence’ which is where the Fieldbase staff eat, sleep and work, whilst organising the expedition, manning the radios round the clock, supporting the projects, planning transport and logistics, keeping tabs on the finances and much, much more

Field Base Volunteer Managers (Equipo Logístico Voluntario del Campo Base)
Volunteer support staff for the expedition. The team looks after the ‘behind the scenes’ of the expedition and ensures everything runs smoothly. This consists of three permanent staff members - the Country Director, Country Project Manager and Country Expedition Manager - plus a team of volunteer staff including the, Medic, Photographer, Administrator, Finance Officer, three Logistics (logs) team members and the Communications Officer

Gallo Pinto
A traditional Costa Rican dish of rice and beans (yum!)

Icebreaker (Rompe Hielos)
A getting-to-know-you game

Longdrop (Letrina)
The camp loo. Literally a deep hole in the ground, it is one of the first tasks to complete when setting up jungle camp for obvious reasons! Short drops are similar, normally used for overnight stops when a shallower trench will suffice

Longs (Pantalones)
From 6pm onwards, we all don long trousers and sleeves to discourage the bugs that aren’t deterred by DEET

Maxis
Short for Maxi Pali, the stock-everything shop about a kilometer from Fieldbase where you can buy all those things you forgot/ran out of/lost

Nicas
An affectionate term referring to the native population of Nicaragua

Ninja
A popular game/energizer used by venturers and Project managers alike. Everyone stands in a circle and tries to hit the team members either side of them on the hand via a single ninja movements. Sound effects welcome

POPS
Legendary milkshake and ice-cream parlour chain found all over Costa Rica – perfect for a sweet splurge

Pork and beans (Frijoles con cerdo)
Another staple foodstuff for trekkers: tinned beans with a slightly sausage twang, served cold for lunch. Usually accompanied by dry cracker dust, sprinkled liberally on to the top. If you’re in a hurry, this can be consumed without cutlery straight from the can

Project Managers (PMs) (Guías)
Project staff for the expedition. Each of the groups has at least two PMs who work with the Venturers to develop skills, lead projects and challenge themselves

PURA VIDA!
A very special Costa Rican phrase that means hello, goodbye, I’m great, it’s good, pure life, basically any positive, feel-good thing can be Pura vida!

Radio check (Chequeo de Radio)
As well as a daily SITREP, all Alpha projects are required to complete a second radio call-in each day to check in, receive messages and report any developments

Review (Revisión)
A round-up that assesses how everyone feels, what went well and what needs work. This is sometimes an ‘activity’, sometimes a chat around the campfire, or sometimes just a bit of time to reflect. It’s an important part of everyone’s personal development so we make sure it happens every day

Roadtrip (Paseo Volando Rueda)
The logistics team and some of the Field Base team drive the Bravos on a loop round to each of the accessible project sites once per phase. They deliver kit, supplies, site visitors, messages from the blog and of course the all important post

Ropa Americana
Purveyors of the finest second hand American threads. Perfect for fancy dress/obtaining that long coveted college sports jersey

SITREP (Reporte de la Situación)
Literally Situation Report. A special radio message sent from the satellite project sites back to fieldbase once a day. It follows a certain format and includes all sort of handy information like where they are, what they’ve been up to, what they need and what they’re planning to do next

Tang
A fruity powder that is used to make squash. Jolly useful for taking away the chlorine taste of purified water

Ticos
An affectionate term referring to the native population of Costa Rica

Trangia (Mini Cocina)
A portable cooking stove. Used primarily for trekking, a trangia’s compact design makes it perfect for easy transportation. Literal translation in spanish - mini kitchen. Makes sense

Turrialba
The location of Fieldbase

Venturers (Aventureros)
Participants in the Raleigh expedition. Aged 17 to 24, they come in three varieties: Host Country Venturers (from Costa Rica and Nicaragua), Partnership Venturers (positive young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK who participate in Raleigh expeditions as part of a longer term development programme) and UK and International Fundraising Participants (who work hard to raise money to contribute towards the charities work and expenses in order to take part in the expedition)

Wash up (Revisión Final)
The last few days of expedition, spent debriefing, returning equipment, performing skits, and most importantly enjoying the farewell party (tears alert)

Zero (Cero)
A radio term that identifies the radio controller at Fieldbase. Fieldbase monitors the radios 24-7, listening out on three frequencies for calls from our satellite project sites. When the radio alarm sounds, we might answer something like this: “Hello unknown call sign, hello unknown call sign, this is Zero, this is zero, do you copy, OVER?”