Backpacks are recieved with lots of LOVE in Panama

Continuing Promise

Chiriqui Grande, Panama

Too much to write about..so here are some interesting notes:

Once again our fabulous friend, nicknamed Panama came through with an
opportunity for us to work directly with the Ministry of Education in
the host nation. We were fortunate to not only meet with a ministry
director for the area, but also were able to have a sit down
discussion with the Mayor of Chiriqui Grande.

When I say that we were lucky, that is an understatement. I will
explain further….Prior to our arrival in Panama; our ACE team friend
was able to acquire a listing of schools from the Ministry of
Education for us to research for distributions. We looked at some of
the numbers and decided to visit seven potential schools. However,
once we met with the mayor at the main medical site he suggested that
we visit ten schools instead to reach some that were not supported
previously with aid. The lucky part of the situation was that on the
same day all of his principles from around the area just so happen to
be holding a meeting at the very same location we were meeting.
Panama, our friend, worked some magic and at the beginning of the
principle’s meeting introduced our organization and we were able to
coordinate all ten schools right then and there. We still had to tie
up some loose ends and make sure that our transportation and logistics
worked out. We made sure that we had one driver who knew our routine.
We probably would not have been able to reach all ten schools if the
situation had been different due to coordination challenges; we went
out every day except for Sunday visiting schools.

Panama was amazing! We rode with our backpack troop (12-14 people)
along one main road with mountains, luscious greenery, and even water
buffalo along the side. Our first school would later become medical
site three, it was situated right off of the main road; however, it
was directly on the side of a mountain. It was a beautiful sight.
There were small tiki huts in front of the school for the children to
sit under and along the side of the school there were some family and
farm huts where one could view little yellow and brown ducklings
waddling their way along a small creek that ran down from the
mountain.

The director from the ministry came with us on our first day; she
helped introduce us to the principle and helped facilitate the day’s
activities. We moved from classroom to classroom with our marine
volunteers, who enjoyed their interaction with the children. The
director organized several treats for us. Panama was the first country
where almost every class had a performance or demonstration for our
group. Standing on the front porch, so to speak, we all gathered along
the edge and in a semi circle with the children across from us to wait
for what surprise was in store for us. The first graders began with a
performance utilizing vowels. Each of them had a large piece of
cardboard tied around their neck with string and sang their vowel when
it was their turn. It was so adorable! Next, we had several songs
performed from the second and thirds graders as well as a short play
about helping others and friendship. For the first time, we decided
that we should perform for the children in a different way. Yes! We
(all of us) decided to sing and dance the “Hoky Poky” as well as “If
Your Happy and You Know It”. Well, the truth being that the marines
were a bit hesitant, but then they soon jumped in and sang along. The
children got the biggest kick out of the visitors from the states
jumping, clapping, and singing just for them. It soon became the
program for the week as with each new school-the children would
share/perform and so would we.

Our group was able to visit all of the ten schools, some being very
small and remote. One of my favorite memories comes from the last day
of our Panama backpack journey. Usually, at each school there are a
couple of little girls who become my good friends and we share smiles,
laughs, and hugs. On the last day, there was one little girl who was
so loving. I kept running into her as I moved between each classroom
since she would wait in the walkway for us to pass by. I decided to
briefly teach several of the little girls some ballet after we had
distributed the backpacks and so we moved over to their concrete
courtyard. We played and practiced ballet positions and twirled in
circles-since every girl likes to spin We had fun. This school was
along the beach and being from Florida I decided I needed to see the
water up close. As I walked along the edge of the school, I found my
friend peaking around the corner of the wall alongside the school’s
outer perimeter. I soon learned that my friend had a small
house/wooden right behind the school and on the water. Her mother
greeted me and welcomed me into their space. Their family used this
house, which she purchased two years ago due to the fact that they
lived two hours away from the school. Her mother wanted a place for
the kids to rest until they were able to travel back to their home. We
shared stories about family and it was lovely to see this sweet little
girl playing with the new stuffed animal that we were fortunate to
give to her as well as to see a glimpse of their life. The people in
Panama were so friendly and the children were thankful. I believe that
the backpacks and our presence were truly felt there.

As Van Halen screamed..so did we PANAMA..AAAA! Just for the fam..