“Social connection is the key to happiness.“ Sonja Lyubomirsky
On September 14, 2024, we held a small fundraiser at D Evan Surf Shop for a specific family in Marbella who lost their house to the torrential floods that occurred in June, at the on set of the rain season, here in Costa Rica.
Since then a local effort, headed by Marbella Retreats, has been underway to collect money and rebuild their home. Giselle, the owner of Marbella Retreats, approached the shop in late August with the idea of hosting a small event to raise funds for the displaced family, and bring further awareness to their situation.
The town of Marbella, where the shop and shaping studio is located, is a very small pueblo in Costa Rica. One road quickly passes through a micro town center. Four pot hole filled dirt roads create a primitive grid, with most of the single story homes wedged between town and the ocean. The beach is relatively pristine and uninhabited. Hills flush with dense jungle rise up from the riverbed that borders the east end of town, behind the small school and untamed football pitch. This is Marbella.
Most residents are housed in this small area. A willy combination of native Costa Ricans and rugged expatriates compose the general population here. The expats are by far the minority, though cast a large and complicated shadow over the town. The Marbellanos are born and raised here. For a small pueblo with a severely handicapped economy it is truly incredible the number of Marbellanos who live and survive here.
The older, well respected farmers and craftsman occupy rural homes that have been passed down through the generations. Their “Tico” lifestyle is simple and sparse. Jungle born, fearless and determined. Modern technology is popular amongst the population, yet they exist alongside a culture that remains deeply rooted in the 19th and 20th centuries. Horses remain a primary mode of transport for some; herds of cattle roaming the main roads are common; chickens and roosters raised and roaming local yards and home fronts are common; two sparsely stocked general stores, no street lights or stop signs – this is Marbella.
While things are changing, as they always do, the town remains tight enough to successfully garner assistance for a school or resident, when needed. Marbella is still a place where you recognize most residents, either by name or face. Random greetings are common. Most everyone nods a head or waves.
At the behest of Marbella Retreats we were able to quickly pull together an intimate evening event at D Evan Surf Shop. Attended by a handful of enthusiastic residents from Marbella, and even a few friends from Nosara, the evening was a lovely success.
We received great support from select small businesses in the area. Blue Zone brewery generously donated a keg of their delicious craft beer. Bottle O donated quality white and red wines. Pura Veda Retreats donated a case of fresh hibiscus ginger kombucha. Hot Tamale vintage kindly donated all their sales from the curated shop rack to the fund. Local musician Mannix performed a live set in the back yard and totally brought the vibe. Food by Monica prepared and served five delicious homemade pizza pies that were sold by the slice and was a giant hit!
Our goal was that all sales from food and beverage, vintage clothing items, and associated raffle would go directly to the building fund organized by Marbella Retreats. We ultimately raised a significant amount of money that will have a direct and immediate effect on this housing emergency in Marbella.
Small towns can be complicated. Prickly. Politics, friendships, associations both personal and professional can often lead to discord and misunderstanding. Here in Marbella the economy is limited, especially for the local Ticos. This can produce fertile ground for desperation, jealousy, paranoia, anger and deceit. Financial security is rare, while the gap between stable and tenuous continues to widen. These local challenges expound upon a chasm that can be very difficult to mend. The potential for these social cancers exist in all communities. The responses are critical.
As an expatriate living and working in a foreign country (especially an impoverished one) it is easy to feel overwhelmed and ill prepared for the communal challenges that inevitably arise. Negotiating these cultural and social mine fields can be horribly confusing. Gaining access to issues on a micro level and coordinating actual change and effect is rare. There have been failed attempts and simply I’ll conceived initiatives in the past. But there have also been many successes, and somehow we continue to exist in this quaint town and small country. Everyone just wants to be safe and happy.
Ultimately I prefer to believe that we as a visiting community try our best, respectively, and hopefully over time a bridge is erected that brings us safely closer. There are missteps and failed calculations and sometimes just awful behavior and choices. The growth of this whole small town is an experiment in every way, and it doesn’t seem like anyone has definitive answers for the social upheavals and environmental challenges that are presently on the horizon. We try to do no harm. People and ideas are not perfect.
I’m very grateful that Marbella Retreats offered myself and D Evan Surf Shop the opportunity to directly work with a local community led initiative. Giselle and her team showed great leadership and commitment. These rare acts of productivity en masse hopefully, slowly, repair the cracks that exist in our community, and bridge the wide ranging gaps between neighbors, friends, and cultures.
Much gratitude to all who made the effort to attend and spend their hard earned money on a rainy night in September to help a couple in need. A huge applause to the food and beverage and vintage clothing sponsors who supported this evening. Perhaps we are all better together.
