Tamarindo is an unmistakable town in the country, known for its lively people and beautiful beaches, ideal for surfing and tourism. Similarly, the entrepreneurial spirit, love for sustainability and community solidarity can now be added to the list of good things in the area.
Recycled Beachwear Guana
This local sustainable fashion project was born from the creative and entrepreneurial minds of Romy Rodriguez and Georgia Rose. A Costarican and an English who share the love for the environment, the vibe and the lifestyle of the small town of Tamarindo as well as the Arts and crafts .
Among the product line they offer, they have all the Way from collections of basic “tie-dye” shirts, up to donated and reimagined blouses. Which they stylize and dye by themselves with natural pigments to give them a new style.
Romy and Georgia’s goal is to show people that there are alternatives within the textile business. Which are more environmentally friendly and good for the economy. Such as buying second-hand clothing, demystifying the misconception that it is of lower quality. Their purpose is to raise awareness among Costa Ricans, so that we adopt less consumerist and superficial habits.
Less is more. Having an ecoconscience and a saving habit turns into a chain reaction of benefits for people
Georgia Rose – Recycled Beachwear Guana
In addition to their work in favor of environmental education and sustainable fashion, the business is committed to getting involved with the community and has become an example to follow. Part of the income from each sale is donated to the non-profit organization “Waves of Unity“. Where also both Romy and Georgia are volunteers.
Waves of Unity
Helen Brown is one of the founders of the organization. She is an Englishwoman who has been living in Costa Rica for about a year and a half and fell deeply in love with Tamarindo, from the moment she arrived.
Lover of beaches and paddleboarding, it was born in her heart to give back to the community that has made her feel so happy and welcomed.
Seeing the way people care about each other here, their humility and joy, the desire to work and improve themselves and the sense of community, moved me a lot. So the duty to contribute with my grain of sand was very clear to me.
Helen Brown – Waves of Unity
This is how Waves of Unity was born, an NGO that seeks to give the people of Tamarindo the support, accompaniment and tools to take ownership of their lives and achieve greater independence.
It is well known that Costa Rica in general, and even more so the coastal areas, depend a lot on tourism as the main source of income. However, in the past months, due to the global pandemic, this sector has been strongly impacted. Therefore many people have lost their jobs indefinitely.
It is for this reason that Waves of Unity has led a volunteer movement in the area. In order to find alternatives for economic reactivation and quality of life for locals. From grocery deliveries, fundraising, and even preparing land to create community farms.
The idea is to educate people, by professionals, on how they can produce their own food and / or generate income. They want to encourage hard work and honesty. As well as the hope that we are the ones who forge our future, regardless of adverse external situations.
And since Recycled Beachwear Guana shares these same values, the three young visionaries started an alliance and a friendship, united by solidarity and their love for Tamarindo.
How can I participate?
From home there are many ways you can get involved and help Waves of Unity and Recycled Beachwear Guana. For one thing, you can donate clothing in good condition that you no longer wear. Both for the creation of new collections and to give to people from the community..
On the other hand, other goods can be donated: gardening tools for the maintenance of community farms, school supplies, groceries, money, cleaning products, etc. And volunteers from a distance, people who can help in advertising, finance or accounting, etc are also welcome.
No help is too small and all support is welcome
