The Guaymí

The indigenous peoples of Southern Costa Rica and Northern Panamá who first settled this area are the Guaymí. They are a very attractive people who live in a large "nation" divided into a number of "districts." Most are poor and live in more or less the traditional way. They use the Costa Rican and Panamanian health services and other government benefits, but generally work very hard picking coffee during the two cosechas (harvests) a year. They make their own clothing and weave a special kind of purse which is becoming a popular item among non-Guaymís, too. Although they are considered citizens, have national identification cards (cedulas), have schools, and other benefits available to all Costa Ricans, they are treated often as second class citizens. A recent series of complaints has been lodged against the Caja (Social Security system) health services here in the San Vito area about inadequate care being provided to the Guaymí patients. Not that the care is so great for the rest of the population. But at least there is an effort on the part of the hospital staff to communicate with the others while nothing is discussed with the Guaymí. United States Peace Corp volunteers work with the Guaymí on the reservations and help them with everything from feminine hygiene to learning English.

I often see girls of not more than twelve or thirteen with a baby in their arms. I'm told that it is common for girls of sixteen to have three children! One woman who lives next to a Guaymí reservation told me that many of these children are the offspring of the brothers or fathers of the girls. I don't know whether this is traditional or a modern abberation. But whichever, it is certainly not healthy! A great deal more must be done in family education to give these children a chance to progress in life. Costa Rica may be the most stable country in Central America, but it still has a long way to go. The US Peace Corp and the International Red Cross are essential elements in bringing about progress in this area.