Local Heroes of Puerto Jimenez
Like in any town, there are certain local heroes in Puerto Jimenez who stand out. They could be a business owners , or just normal everyday people. They are what make a town more like a family.
Yami Molina Calvo: A Local Hero in Puerto Jimenez
I ask the community who makes a difference in the lives of people in Puerto Jimenez. Yami without a doubt, was the number one choice.
There are people in every community that they have decided their life mission is to help the people and the community in which they live. Yami is one such person!
Yami mission!
She came to Puerto Jimenez 24 years ago with her two children a 6 year old and a 4 years old . At first, Yami’s life here was hard. She remembers the roads were in bad condition and were full of holes. The dust was everywhere, and the only means of transportation was a bicycle
At first it was hard.
At night, she would cry; she missed her family deeply. Then one day she asked her god for guidance. A few days later, Yami fell in love with the sounds of the birds at first. Then she saw other things that made her slowly fall in love with the Osa Peninsula
Discovering her passion
She enrolled her children in school. It was at that time she started to meet People. Yami became involved in different community events. She realized that she had found her passion . The people she met knew that she had something that a lot of people don’t have.
One community member best describes her. She cannot say no when it comes to helping other people or events in Puerto Jimenez.
Volunteering was her mision
In 2019 she volunteered to help the Osa Peninsula rescue and adoption program. One thing everyone noticed is her ability to bring back severely abused animals to a healthy and happy life.
In 2022, she became the Manager for the Osa Peninsula rescue and adoption program. She takes care of over 25 dogs, sometimes more.
Even with a full-time job, she always finds time to help anyone that ask. From the older, to face-painting children at events. Yami selflessly helps the people who need it. She has never asked for recognition or money. A true unsung hero in Puerto Jimenez
Yami is a mother to two sons and recently became a proud grandmother. If that is not enough, Yami is attending night school to receive her high school degree and a bachillerato, along with taking a computer class.
Yami is making a difference in Puerto Jimenez
Through her underfed efforts, she makes a difference in our little town of Puerto Jimenez, which we all call Home.
ZORRO
Zorro is loved by everyone in Puerto Jimenez. Last year, he was in the hospital for over a month because of his alcohol problem. Now he has stopped drinking! You will see him in front of the BM grocery store asking for money. He has been doing the same thing for as long as I have lived here.
Now, thankfully, he uses the money he receives for food. He has family members who take care of him. He just likes socializing with everyone, and he does it without words. Every time I see him, we salute each other. It’s just something we do. I give him a 1000 Colones note. So if you see Zorro, please consider giving him a salute and some change.
Zorro is a very special person in Puerto Jimenez, a town where folks care for each other.
Mil , The Pipa man
When you are by the BM food store, look for Mil. He is on the side of BM with his cart. He sells coconut water right from the coconuts. Mil has been selling coconut water, well, for as long as I can remember. His cart is a push cart, unlike a lot of street vendors who have cars or motorbikes.
Mil is 85 years old. You can see him push his cart up the street towards the BM grocery store. He sits in his plastic chair and waits for people walking by.
Pipas, Pipas Mil says as you walk by. The cost for one of his ice cold coconut’s is only $1.00 or 500 colones
He will take a coconut out of his ice chest in his cart, grab a machete, and with years, maybe decades, perfectly slice off the top.
Mil hands you the coconut. There is a small hole he made with his machete.
You tilt the coconut up to your mouth. The sweet coconut water is cold and refreshing.
Tania, The Artist
Tinia has been in Puerto Jimenez forever; well, I have been here for 14 years, and she has been here. She makes all types of art, from bracelets, earrings, and everyday art.
She used to have a stand by the BM grocery store. The police gave her some problems because she lacked the permits. Now she sells her art from her apartment.
Her apartment is right before the second bridge in Puerto Jimenez. To get there from the Bank of Costa Rica BCR take a left when going into town, follow that street, and it will curve to the left. At the stop sign, take a right, her shop will be 20 meters on the right
Tinia lives in a small one-bedroom apartment with her father, who has health problems. Through her art, she provides for both of them
Looking for a pipe to smoke with, Tinia has you covered
These are just a few of the **local heroes in Puerto Jimenez** is proud to call its own, making our community a truly special place.