Two years ago I wrote about the newly formed Perez Zeledon International Women’s Club deciding to support Hogar Betania, a voluntary home for elderly citizens, as our first community service project.

With no money to spend, we set about clearing their ‘jungle’ and creating a colourful garden for the old people to enjoy.

But we set out to make some money too – launching our bilingual recipe book in December 2010. I’m thrilled, and somewhat amazed that we’ve sold nearly 400 copies and raised $2.000. I know a copy has reached Australia and – thanks to a kind reader of welovecostarica.com, even to the Harley Davidson factory in Michigan!

When I started taking our excess fruit to Hogar Betania five years ago, it was a very sterile and depressing environment. Strapped for cash, their funds had to be devoted to essentials such as replacement roofing and repairing dodgy electrics. The furniture and fittings were dilapidated; the staff did not have the basic equipment to do their job well, and the whole place was devoid of any stimulus for the elderly residents.

Suddenly last summer, the Junta Directiva (management board) drafted in a new temporary administrator and overnight change began to happen. Marlene was a breath of fresh air – with funds on offer, she began to talk about dignity, about assessing resident’s potential for increased independence and about the need to introduce a programme of stimulating activities.

As ever in this world, it just takes the right leader with vision to make things happen and before long we were pouring over catalogues discussing the purchase of equipment that would help both the residents and the care staff.

The gardeners had often lamented on the dirty concrete wall, as had Marlene; someone mentioned the word ‘mural’ … some bucks for a load of paint, our artist members got to work and they now have a very colourful ocean theme! It’s a wonderful contrast to the gardens and the residents love it.

So much for the burst of optimism on equipment however; rarely in Costa Rica, does something happen quickly! Although we have a couple of good ‘ortopedicas’ in town – shops that sell mobility and nursing equipment, and endless orthoses for orthopaedic conditions – their stock is very limited. They are serviced by one major supplier in San Jose that imports from the USA, but despite endless negotiations, they were simply not interested in getting the ‘one-off’ products we wanted.

Importing direct was an option but some ‘jobs-worth’ at Customs HQ wouldn’t make a decision to give the home or the Club exoneration from import duties, despite all these products normally being duty-free. So sadly, these endeavours in Costa Rica turn into a ‘groan groan’ tale of obfuscation, delay and despair. Oh so very boring, I’m sure readers don’t want to hear more!

Suffice to say, I got in touch with wonderful friends back at Nottingham Rehabilitation in the UK, got products at list price and came back from my trip in June with the case stuffed full.

For the first time, the home has a simple inflatable basin for washing resident’s hair in bed, so valuable for the terminally ill who can not be moved. It was so humbling listening to the care assistants saying ‘muy moderna’ – ‘very modern’ – about something that’s been around for years and would be taken so-for-granted in our home countries.

On an introductory visit, a nursing Professor member of the club got chatting to Marlene about the absence of lifting devices. We couldn’t afford a hoist but with a new lifting belt and turntable available, we were able to provide a one day workshop on Safe Lifting and Moving.

Throughout our contact with the home we’ve been very careful to avoid being labelled as either Rich Gringos or smart expats with superior knowledge. I guess we’ve succeeded in that Marlene, and her new successor Rosibel, have welcomed our ideas with open arms.

The cook was even drafted into the course because she lifts heavy bags of rice, how sensible is that! And despite our fears, all the staff participated with great enthusiasm. Dot had the inspiration to design and award them all with a course certificate – so greatly appreciated, I suspect this was probably the first bit of formal teaching most of the staff had ever experienced.

With that little spending spree concluded, the Club organised a wonderful fiesta for the residents earlier in the month when we donated the remaining $1.200 for the Junta to spend, probably on furnishings.

The Music School provided some beautiful music, an artistic group did mime and story-telling and the women provided a terrific spread of delicious food – a welcome change from rice and beans! I was honoured to present the cheque to the President, and was greatly touched by her response.

She didn’t list the things we have done: she talked about how much they appreciated we ‘extranjeros’ (foreigners) working with them ‘in solidarity’, as partners and friends caring for their elderly citizens.

Solidarity is in the souls of the people of Costa Rica – trying to get things done quickly might drive us nuts but that lovely tribute summed up what its all about. We were honoured and I know all the women were immensely proud of what we have achieved in our first, very modest, community project.

Looking back, I’m so pleased we decided not to be simply a club for ‘Women who do Lunch’. So many members have contributed their energy, expertise, and enthusiasm to Hogar Betania, whether working in the gardens, fitting little old ladies with new outfits, painting the mural or baking the cakes.

We’ve laughed and groaned together and enriched our friendships, and our lives, in ways we could never do sitting round a table eating lunch (though that’s great fun too!).

And the greatest pleasure of all, we have made new Tico friends in our host community. Whatever we do next, I know our friendship with Hogar Betania will continue, it’s a pretty special place.

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