A few
years ago I attended a fiesta in San Blas; a small village of 1500 people. A
local dance group and youth band performed. I was impressed with the energy and
the quality of their performance. Since then I visited San Blas several times
and admired community leaders who work on a volunteer basis to serve their
village. They are focused on improving the quality of life of all citizens,
young and old.
Often social or recreational
activities help in keeping young people away from alcohol, drugs or
prostitution. Many children come from
very poor families who could not afford to buy instruments or costumes for
their children therefore fundraisers are common to collect the money in order
to allow all children to participate.
Here are few examples of the
group’s activities in San Blas:
• San Blas Childrens Band: There are about 35 children in a band. All instruments were bought through various
fundraisers. Most of the teenagers were high school dropouts. Remarkably this
year they decided to go back to school and complete their education. Some of
the band members are also part of the Marimba Group, which frequently performs
in tourist resorts.
• Sport Group: They play football, soccer and basketball
participating in tournaments with neighboring teams. They also
organize weekly activities
for other kids and teenagers.
• Folkloric Dance Jaguarandi: Children learn traditional dances. Fund raising events are held
frequently to pay for the dance instructor and expensive costumes. Often
parents prepare food and sell to the
audience in order to collect money for children. The dance group performed at
the Melico Salazar Theater in San Jose, Liberia, Filadelfia, Nandayure,
Sardinal, Playas del Coco.
• Mundo de Color (craft group): The needs of the older people were resolved by creating a Craft Group,
where ladies crochet, embroider, do needle work, and sew. This group has an ambitious plan to sell
their merchandise during the tourist season.
As you can guess, the elementary
school in San Blas has a very active School Board. Those parents and volunteers
manage the budget and authorize all expenses for the School, including food for
the kids, materials and educational projects.
Last year the computer room was
built to offer courses to the community. These courses plus the computer related courses, include also English
and French languages courses.
The
school is also involved in a recycling program with the canteloupe company in
Sardinal, where students collect aluminum cans, plastic bottles or paper goods
for which they get “points” at the Recycling Center in Sardinal. Once they accumulate certain amount of
“points” they can exchange them for equipment required by the school.
The community of San Blas believe
that working together will allow everybody, young and old to have a brighter
future.
If all communities in the
Guanacaste region had as conscientious and dedicated citizens…this province
would prosper faster.
A great example for all!
Video of Grupo
Danza Folklórica Jaguarandi
in Panamá, participating in the anniversary of the Ballet Folklórico Panamá Canta y
Baila.
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