Issue #6: Building Bridges + Celebrating the life of Lester
Building Bridges in Machuca Valley: Embracing Community and Confronting Gentrification + Farewell to Lester
In today’s issue we bring you two articles. First one is by Robin Shaw, Co-Founder of Local Allies, a 100% volunteer based constellation of people who are actively committed to uplifting our local communities (learn more at joinlocalallies.com), in the second story we celebrate the life of Lester, our dear friend and La Ecovilla neighbor who passed away this week, written by Roy Diego Chaves.
Be the neighbor you want to see in the world by Robin Shaw
Background
Growing up in the US I remember my mom talking about “where were you when Kennedy was shot?” Then it was “where were you during 911?” And while major world events and tragedies have different levels of impact and importance to different people, one of the most recent ones for my family was “where were you when George Floyd was murdered?” The heartache and chaos in the US is one of the reasons why we chose to move here, to the seemingly peaceful mountains of Costa Rica. But that question, where were you when you learned about the murder of George Floyd, is less about where you were physically and more about where were you in your learning? Where were you in your assumptions, biases, and understanding of privileges? Where were you in relation to “The Work?”
My Mom, Day Merrill, and I started Local Allies as a response to the heartache and hegemony of racism, classism and systemic oppression that causes so much human heartache. Throughout the pandemic, we facilitated anti-racism book circles in Collingwood, ON, Canada for intimate and profound learning and community. We partnered with the nonprofit UPlift Black to create a Safety In Schools Rally, co-author communications to local police about their anti-oppression training, and give support to their diversity and equity training programs.
The role of ex-pats in Machuca Valley
When my family moved to Costa Rica in 2022 it took us some time to adjust. For some of us it can be a magical land where we can create our own reality, for others it's a struggle to cover a family’s basic needs. The sharpness between those living with abundance and those living in poverty can be seen in the homes and property lines of the areas we now call home. And because of our very presence here the price of everything just keeps going up.
The guiding values of Local Allies is to make positive change, wherever you are, however you’re able, by listening to people’s lived experiences and finding ways to reallocate resources on a hyper-local level. My Mom and I have been talking for some time about how to learn about our local communities and the needs here. Our guiding question that we hope all neighbors will hold in their hearts and speak in the world: what can I do to help?
If we do not seek to understand the needs of our Tico neighbors we run the risk of rapid gentrification. Areas like Tamarindo and Nosara show us what that can look like. Gentrification specialist Agustín Cócola Gant aptly describes the operative dynamic in those areas as “the domination of the city by high-income consumers who end up displacing the original population, which witnesses the loss of its own residence space.” Ticos, like Americans, are not homogeneous, and their means and needs fall on a spectrum. Ticos living in poverty may be immigrants from other Central or South American countries who came to Costa Rica to build a better life. Wherever they are from, and wherever you are from, let’s help all of us build a better life together, and minimize or at least slow the challenging impacts of gentrification.
So what can we do to help? What’s beautiful about this question is that it asks us to both turn inward - to explore our own habits, abilities and resources - as well as to connect with our outer community to learn about the goals and needs of our neighbors, with the ultimate goal of building a bridge between us. Treating people with dignity, paying fair wages, supporting local artisans and learning the language and customs here are important first steps. I’m relatively new to this work, but I’ve come to recognize that we have an opportunity to use our creativity and resources to do more. That could look like:
Get to know your neighbors, workers, and people you see regularly on a personal level. Invite them over for a meal or celebration, learn about their history and family, and build genuine connection.
Ask people in the MV who are more familiar with some of the needs here about their initiatives and how to join or support.
Engage in “The Work” through self education around racism, classism and various forms of privilege.
Embrace the lifestyle here, including what’s accessible, rather than trying to create a Disneyland version of your home country.
Avoid cultural appropriation, spiritual appropriation and diverting work away from locals for your own profit.
Approach your time in Costa Rica as not only beneficial or transformational for you and your family but an opportunity to be of service to a healing world.
A story of Local Allies in Machuca Valley
In December Local Allies had its first initiative in Costa Rica. Thanks to Marcela for her compassion and sharing about some of the needs of the community, I learned about the Centro Educativo de Maderal de San Mateo, an underfunded public school near the entrance to Alegria Village. I spoke with Teacher Katharine about the school’s needs, saw the property, and met a few students. They are doing an amazing job with very limited resources. When I asked if I could help organize gifts for the children and teachers for the last day of school she was cautiously enthusiastic.
For two weeks we organized and collected personalized gifts for each student and teacher, using the Angel Tree of Atenas model to gift not only toys but clothes, art supplies and thoughtfully purchased items. We also collected a donation of toys from a generous student at Journey school and brought some Christmas decorations as well. When I showed up to the school in my old Mitsubishi full of gifts I felt like Santalita. The day after their celebrations I got photos of kids with big, beaming smiles holding up t-shirts and reusable water bottles, stuffies, sandals, and art supplies. Teacher Katherine expressed immense gratitude to everyone who helped. I’m not including pictures of the kids as I don’t have permission to share their images, but you can imagine the joy and delight. Here are some photos of the gifts (and my dog who clearly endorsed this initiative):
Small acts of kindness can have a larger impact than we realize. But when we come together as a community and organize ourselves with intentionality, thoughtfulness, generosity and kindness, with the goal of uplifting those around us too, we can help shape a more magical reality for all of our community. One of my favorite sayings is “we lift as we rise.”
What’s next for us?
With Local Allies my intention is to continue to create opportunities to connect with and uplift our local community, as well as create focused opportunities for learning, discussion and growth amongst the immigrants and expats who hold various forms of privilege and want to call Costa Rica home. Part of this is understanding the histories that have created such inequities amongst people, and so a desire to listen and learn is needed.
For those of us moving to the Machuca Valley and surrounding areas I hope we continue these kinds of conversations and work together. We run the risk of displacing local people and supplanting local culture with our own unless we take international, individual and collective action. In blunt terms, if we are not part of the solution then we are part of the problem by default. Our choices, what we take the time to learn, and how we integrate here matters. Let’s approach this work with compassion, or more specifically, with community and passion. This is a long game, but what we do today will shape tomorrow. Local Allies has a whatsapp group to continue these conversations and create more opportunities to directly support our local community. Join us as we learn, grow, connect and strive to sow seeds of positive change and a better future for all.
Local Allies Costa Rica WhatsApp Group Chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KwRgWGXX7HkDFdz71hiGwy
Agustín Cócola Gant quote source:
https://vozdeguanacaste.com/en/el-coco-ocean-view-real-estate-gentrification/
Celebrating the Life of Lester by Roy Diego Chaves
In the quiet embrace of Johnny Hill, Colorado, on April 27, 1936, Lester Bogunovich came into the world, bringing not just life but a vibrant spirit that would touch the hearts of many. Lester peacefully departed this world at the age of 87 on January 15, 2024, in California, surrounded by the warmth of his beloved daughter Tina.
Born into the solitude of a small mining town, Johnny Hill saw a 25% surge in population the day Lester arrived. His family were the sole residents, that's the reason why I used to affectionately call him: "Johnny Hill's last man." Little did they know that his impact would extend far beyond the confines of that tight-knit community.
Lester's journey unfolded against the backdrop of Colorado until the age of 81 when he decided to embark on a new chapter in Costa Rica. Settling in the beautiful ecological community of La Ecovilla in San Mateo de Alajuela, Lester found a second home where he lived for over six fulfilling years.
An electrical engineer by trade, Lester was not just intellectually sharp but also eternally youthful in spirit. His finely tuned and sharp sense of humor made him a delightful conversationalist, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to engage with him.
Lester was more than an intelligent mind; he was a kind, joyous soul. His free-spirited nature and infectious laughter echoed through La Ecovilla, endearing him to all. His bond with his canine companion, Bodhi, showcased a love that transcended the boundaries of obedience.
The vibrant colors of Lester's outfits mirrored the lively palette of his personality. His characteristic hats and colorful attire added a touch of cheer to La Ecovilla, creating a kaleidoscope of memories that will forever be etched in our minds.
As a gentleman, Lester exuded respect and kindness, making him a cherished figure in the hearts of his neighbors. His absence leaves a void that words can hardly fill. Lester's unique ability to bridge cultural, linguistic, and generational gaps made him not just a friend but a beacon of unity.
For me, Lester was more than a friend; he was my best friend. Together, we transcended cultural barriers, navigated language differences (his limited Spanish against my imperfect English), and defied the confines of age, with a staggering 50-year gap between us.
Lester's life was a celebration of diversity, friendship, and the boundless possibilities that emerge when hearts connect. As we bid farewell to this extraordinary soul, let us remember Lester not with sorrow, but with gratitude for the vibrant tapestry of memories he wove into our lives. His laughter, wisdom, and enduring spirit will forever echo in the corridors of our hearts. Lester, you will be missed but never forgotten.
Nice. Local Allies sounds a great initiative