Like life back in the UK, the social scene here is either feast or famine, and we’ve had a great feast in the last few weeks. Top of the bill was a visit from Malcolm and Angela, fellow Brits, who stayed with us last year while researching property for sale in Costa Rica.

It was great to welcome them back ~ having made the decision to retire to this lovely part of the country, they arrived, made an offer on a farm way up a spectacular valley south of San Isidro, had it accepted and have now returned to the UK to embark on the great escape plan.

We all enjoyed a celebration dinner with their friends Victor and his charming wife Karim. We hope it won’t be too long until we can call Malcolm and Angela neighbours… well, maybe not at an hour and a half distant, but new friends certainly.

Our second highlight was a visit to the Centro de Aprendizaje Para Indigenas (CAPI) near the village of Tinamastes, 17K away on the road down to the coast. Owned and run by the Association ‘Light in Central America’, the centre provides apprenticeships for indigenous Indian people from Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras.

Established 28 years ago, the Association is an interdenominational evangelical mission, run by a permanent team of German and Swiss people, supported by volunteers and local employees. Its funds come mainly from Christian organizations in those two countries, and to a lesser extent from local organizations and individuals; it does not receive Government aid.

The centre provides apprenticeships in agriculture, forestry, carpentry / furniture making, and mechanics. Each courses includes ‘general studies’ – very practical subjects such as control of finances, mathematics, hygiene and first aid, but also more subtle but important topics such as ethical values and the moral challenges of living in a small community.

Bible study provides a fundamental orientation but the emphasis is on information giving and group exchange; it is for course participants to determine their own faith.

As women and children often accompany their husbands, there is an additional focus on women and children’s needs, and of course a school for the indigenous children.

Costa Rica is studded with well-intentioned projects set up by foreigners, many of whom appear to spend little time here nourishing their creations. But not so with CAPI – a team of delightful people providing indigenous people with very practical skills and knowledge to enable them to sustain and develop their personal and family well-being within the context of their distinct culture and environment.

With around 80 resident staff and course participants on site, meal times must be a challenge of logistics but all we open day visitors were treated to a wonderful lunch. A very enjoyable and thought-provoking day with inspirational people.

Right now, we’re thrilled to have our nephew and his wife here on their honeymoon – off for another bit of exploring, next week we’ll be back to the grind of gardening!

Written by VIP Member Sheelagh Richards. Sheelagh is originally from Scotland and her husband John who is from Wales are two inveterate British travellers who fell in love with Costa Rica, the beauty of the Talamanca mountain range and the perfect climate of the Rio General valley where they have established a small Bed & Breakfast called Casa de Los Celtas. You can see a free online video interview with John & Sheelagh Richards here.

You can see more about John and Sheelagh’s very affordable B&B outside San Isidro here and photographs and prices here.

If you have ever dreamed of living in a place that’s as close to a tropical paradise as you can find … Please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors Daveed Hollander and James Drews in Dominical in the Southern Pacific area, by using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.