Ken and Lucky (Ken is driving :)
Bocas Notes
3.7.10
|
|
|
|
Bocas Educational Services Organization (BESO), a local non-profit organization that raises funds and distributes them among the native population to further and improve their education, contacted Operation Safe Drinking Water (OSDW) about the possibility of bringing safe water to a very remote community. These two organizations have worked hand in hand in the past with a common goal of bring safe water to as many schools as possible.
BESO would provide the funds for a water system for the school in Nispero but needed OSDW to provide transportation and o the installation. Nispero is not only remote but is a long distance away from our location requiring extra planning and supplies. We had no way of knowing what exactly was needed because we could not do a pre-installation survey. We gathered what we thought we would need and added extra supplies and parts to meet any challenges we might encounter. A date was set, we topped off the gas tank, added two gasoline containers to the cargo and prayed for good weather.
Next morning we loaded some last minute items on the boat and as soon as we could make out the channel markers we left. After about 50 minutes of running time we rendezvous with a group from BESO at Coral Cay. They had hired a guide and boat for the trip but had too many passengers so we made room for them. Off we went with the guide leading the way, this is traitorous water because of the many reefs. I was a bit nervous as we threaded our way at full speed through the channels in the reefs and was thankful our guide knew the way.
Once we reached deep water the journey settled down into the routine of keeping the course and making sure everything was operating as it should. The land mass we were aiming for was Peninsula Valiente, which is familiar to those DLC installers who were here in January. As we approached the peninsula our course took us around the point and into the open sea. We had been blessed with fair weather and the ocean swells were running 5 to 6 feet.
The highlands of the peninsula ran directly into the sea, cut here and there with deep valleys. As the surf crashed into the reefs and beaches the wind carried the mist up these valleys giving the shore a mystical appearance. The surf was every surfers dream, long curls that seems to go on and on. We passed the community of Cusapin, the largest on this side of the peninsula. Another forty minutes down the coast we pass between the shore and small rocky islands and entered a large bay. Once again the reefs are evident, at one point our guide makes an “S” curve to find a channel in the reef. Finally our destination is in sight. As we tie the boat to the dock we have a lot of company and the big question is “where are you from?”
With lots of eager hands our supplies are off loaded and carried up a steep hill to the school. As we make preparations to do the installation the BESO group passes out small treats and school supplies to a crowd of children and their parents. We are going to install the water system where they prepare the noon meal for the students. This kitchen area is always open so that anyone can avail themselves of clean drinking water. Outside of some minor problems, which is always the case, the installation goes without a hitch. We have some material left over and it’s decided we will put a small rain catchment system on the teachers quarters as well.
We had “sidewalk engineers” supervising this entire project. You could have heard a pin drop as we ran a 1 inch PVC pipe into the kitchen and terminated it with a valve they could turn on and off. Before we left I took a couple of photos and was about to leave when I was told to stay put. Around the corner came this 104 year old matriarch of the village to inspect, she looked at the system for a bit and then nodded her head, as though giving it her approval. It just doesn’t get a lot better than that.
Thank you for your continued support of Operation Safe Drinking Water.
Gracias,
Ken
: : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : :
2.6.10
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
(Click pictures for enlargements) |
I am so grateful to be a member of Decorah Lutheran Church and have the privilege to be associated with those who are so willing to give of their time, talents and finances to improve the lives of others. It is truly remarkable that the entire congregation is involved in one way or another. If you have donated items to the Trash and Treasure Sale, if you’ve purchased something at the sale, if you’ve donated much needed medicine, if you’ve donated clothing, if you’ve donated financially, if you’ve made the trip to Panama, if you’ve donated your time, if you’ve prayed for our efforts - you’ve been involved. Words cannot express my gratitude.
January was a banner month here in Panama with the arrival of two groups from Decorah Lutheran. The first group, Keith Johnson, Steve and Olivia Munkel, Greg and McKinley Eide and Glen Barth focused on water system installations and began by refurbishing a system at a school that had fallen into disrepair the same day they arrived. Tuesday morning the group was off to Isla Popa to do work on two schools. The Popa # 2 school required work utilizing an existing storage tank and installing a new catchment system. A pipe from the tank was then plumbed directly to the school’s kitchen. Several members of the surrounding community came to observe the work, offer suggestions and interact with the group. The Popa #1 school received a complete system including a storage tank. There was a great deal of interaction between the children and adults of the community and the group. Everyone had a great time, at times it seemed more like a fiesta than a project.
Wednesday morning found the group on the longest journey of their trip on the water. Because of the long distance, the amount of supplies and people, two boats were used to travel to Bahia Azul. As work commenced on the school it soon became a community event with both spectators and workers. Children were invited to help put the tank base together and men from the community brought shovels to level the site for the storage tank. This was a great project that benefits both the school and community.
The next stop was at El Tigre to install a catchment system and hook an existing tank into the water system at this large school. The team worked well together and the project was completed rapidly. A nearby clinic was also slated for work but because the Doctor was ill it was decided to delay the installation.
Thursday more supplies were needed and team members were taken to the banana port of Almirante, a non-tourist town to see first hand how 90 percent of the world’s population lives.
Friday morning the team was back on the water headed for Isla Tigre to do the work on the clinic. The Doctor cares for close to four thousand people by himself and has not had running water for over a year. A small inadequate system had been installed but was broken and non-operational. A new catchment systems was installed and connected to the existing tank which in turn was connected to a storage tank we had brought increasing the capacity by hundreds of gallons. It was a very hot day and the team worked hard. On the completion of the project and saying goodbye to a very grateful Doctor we headed for Coral Cay for snorkeling and cold drinks. A very good end to a very productive trip.
The second team consisting of Jennifer Numedahl, Jo Kaplan, Brad Miller, Mary Jo Finholt and Pastor Bryan arrived on the following Monday. Their focus was to provide health care in various communities in the area. They wasted no time and set up a clinic at the compound Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday they held a clinic at the Popa #2 school, the same school that had received a new water system the week before. People with various ailments soon began arriving and were treated by the team. By the end of the session is was clear the team would have to return to see those who still needed care. Wednesday morning the clinic was up and running with addition of a small supply of used glasses and reading glasses. The glasses received a great deal of attention as they were tried on and used to see if there was an improvement in vision. The small supply soon disappeared. After the clinic had been concluded there was a short visit to Coral Cay but the weather was less than ideal. After lunch a clinic was held at Bahia Grande, a community close to the compound. Wednesday evening was very special with Pastor Bryan giving Communion.
The fourth and final clinic was held at Buena Esparanza on Thursday. The resident Peace Corps Volunteer, Michelle, facilitated the clinic. It was the largest clinic held and with the help of translators moved a large number of people with a variety health concerns through the process. All the care givers and supporting staff were kept very busy. The grateful community prepared lunch for the team. At the end of the clinic a spokesman said many kind words to the team and there was a big round of applause for them.
This is Decorah Lutheran Church in action! Making a difference and touching hundreds of lives through your caring generosity and dedication. I encourage you to seek out those members who made the journey to Panama and hear first hand their experiences.
Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Gracias,
Ken
: : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : :
1.16.10
|
|
 ; |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
(Click pictures for enlargements)
When Operation Safe Drinking Water started installing water systems in schools the benefits soon became apparent. Not only did it insure the students would have access to safe water for drinking but for their food preparation as well. As an added benefit the residents in the area could use the water after the student’s needs were met. School vacation begins the middle of December and resumes the middle of March. In the meantime all the water is used by the residents in their homes.
A Peace Corps Volunteer recently reported that she had observed a large increase in water consumption by the students and many residents were using the recently installed water system as their primary source for drinking water. She too was using it as her source. We feel that this type of multiple use gets more safe water to more people then installing individual water systems.
Local interest in funding water systems is on the increase. One woman is soliciting ten of her friends to share the cost of a system that we would install at no charge. A couple became painfully aware how serious the situation is when a young girl in their area died due to complications from impure water. The family of the girl is very poor so the couple provided funds for the funeral. Vowing to due something about the situation, they are funding a water system for a school near them.
The first of two volunteer groups from Decorah Lutheran Church is due to arrive in Panama January 17th. Their efforts will be directed at remote schools and one medical clinic. One of the schools has an enrollment of around 250 students and has a small 50 to 60 gallon tank of safe water for drinking and food preparation, when it’s gone the water source is a nearby stream of questionable quality. The DLC group will help install a rain catchment system with a 550 gallon capacity, a more fitting volume for such a large group.
The clinic was discovered because of its close proximity to a school we are going to do some work at. The clinic is staffed by one doctor with no support staff. In his care are 3,500 to 4,000 people from two islands. His clinic has no water. At one time there had been the semblance of a catchment system but now it was totally inoperable with a too small storage tank the only thing left. With the DLC’s group help we will install a new system and add another storage tank to make the clinic’s capacity approximately 800 gallons. The doctor said it had been very difficult cleaning patients and the clinic without running water. I wish everyone could have seen the doctor’s face when we told him we would help him.
The second volunteer group from Decorah Lutheran Church will provide medical treatment by setting up clinics in remote areas where treatment is difficult to obtain at best and impossible at worst. Long distances and the lack of money combine to keep most from professional help, this DLC group will bring the help to them. Imagine having a sick child and no way to get care and then someone who does care comes and helps your child. This is good work and with your help it will continue.
Gracias,
Ken
: : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : :
12.16.09
 |
| From Panama Photos from Ken |
 |
| From Panama Photos from Ken |
The collaboration between organizations has brought some very positive results for people living in the remote Peninsula Valiente region of Panama. Operation Safe Drinking Water (OSDW) has partnered with Bocas Educational Service Organization (BESO) and two Peace Corps Volunteers who live in separate villages on the peninsula.
Very little assistance reaches this remote area and OSWD wanted to make safe drinking water available to the residents, especially the children. They turned to BESO for information about the schools and where they were located. Then made contact with the Peace Corps Volunteers who are living in the area for first hand knowledge of the situation and where to focus their efforts for maximum effect.
A fact finding trip was organized with members of OSWD, BESO, a Peace Corps Volunteer, Pastor Brian and Glen Barth making the journey. BESO provided boxes of books to be delivered to the schools that would be visited.
The journey by boat took several hours through coral reefs and open sea at times. The team visited four schools with enrollments of 86 to 200, all with dubious water sources. Each school received their box of books and measurements were taken for the installation of safe water systems. Everyone agreed that the schools should be first priority and when they weren’t in session the water would be available to anyone. The schools are public property and as such there is no question about ownership making the water resource available to everyone.
Organizing the installation of the systems has proved to be challenging. Communicating with those on the peninsula is difficult because there are no radio links or cell phone coverage. The weather becomes a factor as well due to the distances involved.
The storage tanks were purchased, PVC pipe was pre-cut, a box of assorted connections was assembled and lumber for the tank bases was cut. All that was needed was the go ahead signal from Peninsula Valiente, but no signal came due to the communications problem.
It was decided we would go anyway. The boat was loaded with all that was needed to install 2 systems and we would leave at first light the following day. Next morning about an hour into the trip we found ourselves surrounded by a storm front that threatened our visibility to a dangerous level and we turned back.
Two days later we tried again and were successful. Our first stop was a school where Audrey, one of the Peace Corps workers, lived. We arrived unannounced and but we were greeted enthusiastically by the villagers and Audrey. It wasn’t long before we had the system installed and plumbed the water pipe to the food preparation area in the school. In the meantime Audrey marked our map with the location of all the schools in the area for future installations.
Next stop was Playa Verde. Again we were greeted enthusiastically and the pre-cut parts went together quickly and the system became operational. It is interesting that the village women help when they can and seem the most appreciative, I believe they really know the value of safe drinking water.
We have now completed the installations at all four of the schools. The officials at the Bahia Azul school on the peninsula have expressed their desire for a water system and we have it scheduled for January when the next group from Decorah Lutheran arrives. The enrollment of the school is 250 students and have a fresh water tank of about 60 gallons, far too small. We’ll be installing a 550 gallon tank and a sufficient rain catchment tubing to fill it. We will have more projects in the area scheduled for the crew from DLC.
Gracias,
Ken
: : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : :
11.13.09
John
I’ve had several conversations about the poverty, lack of clean drinking water and the availability of food among the Guaymi Indians with long time residents of Bocas del Toro. I have learned that even though the Guaymi are indigenous and number in the thousands they are largely ignored by the rest of Panama’s population. Tourists from Panama City are surprised to learn that they exist at all. As happens all too often, the indigenous people occupy the very last rung on the social ladder. There are no birth certificates or social security numbers issued and a persons entire life can pass by only known to the immediate family.
For the adults there are no options. The children have the opportunity to attend school until they are around fifteen and have completed the equivalent of the ninth grade. That’s the end of the line. To further their education they would have to travel to a city that is large enough to have a college. Several barriers prevent this from happening, money for tuition, books, transportation, food and lodging. Discrimination against the Guaymi is wide spread and without money they are invisible.
So what happens to these children after they have graduated? The boys try to make money by getting day labor jobs if any are available, fishing, swinging a machete, digging yuca or harvesting plantains and selling them to foreign residents that have money. Construction here, as elsewhere, has dropped to near zero and those jobs are gone. The girls, unfortunately, tend to begin child bearing which means more mouths to feed placing an even greater stress on very limited resources. Families are large with 10 to 15 members. I’ve been told there is no way out, no way to escape this spiral of poverty.
Then there is John. He lives in Bahia Grande on the west side of Isla Cristobal in the typical small house on pilings over the water. While John attended school there he was a top student with a big thirst for learning and a huge desire to continue his education. A local organization from Bocas Town called Bocas Education Services Organization (BESO) raises money to improve education in the area decided to provide John with tuition money. The nearest college is located in Almarante on the mainland. Each day, very early in the morning, John gets in his dugout canoe and paddles 3 hours across the bay to attend class. In the evening he paddles the 3 hours back home. He goes regardless of the weather or what the conditions on the bay are - dedicated - and remains a top student!
John fell, hit his head and obviously had a concussion. I accompanied him to the hospital in Almarante hoping to have him checked for internal bleeding. We went to the reception room and John explained what he was there for and we waited. The waiting room emptied twice while we waited. Finally we went to the emergency room and once again explained why we there. They directed us back to the general waiting room. John went outside in disgust and we left with out him receiving any medical attention. I was told that this happens frequently and it is flagrant discrimination against the natives. The irony of all this is John wants to be a doctor.
The reason John has to make that long dangerous journey by dugout canoe everyday is that he has no money for a room or food to stay in Almarante. I asked what it would cost to furnish John with room and board for a month and was told $120.00. If there were ten of us who could spare $12.00 a month we could pay for the room and board, of course the more people involved the better. I normally wouldn’t make an appeal like this but this case is an exception. John could be one of the first ones to break out of this cycle of poverty and provide a shinning example to rest of the children that “YES, YOU CAN!”
Gracias,
Ken
: : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : :
10.27.09
Learning about Jesus, food and health care all come together at Maribel’s Sunday School. The first dugout canoes carrying children arrive before 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning, Sunday School starts at ten. The children bring themselves, even the very young ones are expert at paddling. By 10:00 a.m. several dugouts have arrived and are hauled out on the grass.
Sunday School is held under a thatched roof structure and the children sit on benches constructed of rough lumber. Maribel starts by asking what they learned last time and the children respond with good answers. Singing and talking about Jesus occupies the next hour and fifteen minutes. The attention is focused on what is being said and there is no disruptive behavior.
After class Maribel powers up her computer and plays a DVD for the children. Many times the video is in English with Spanish subtitles but they don’t seem to mind. Jurassic Park plays the same no matter what language you speak. While the kids are engrossed in the DVD a hot hardy meal of beans and rice is prepared along with a cold sweet drink. When all is ready the DVD is paused and Maribel asks someone to say a prayer thanking God for the food. Part of the last prayer asked for God’s Blessing so there would be more food. Everyone gets a bowl of food and a drink and the DVD play button is pressed.
When the movie is over health issues are addressed. Headaches, stomach distress, cold symptoms and allergies make up the bulk of complaints and the appropriate children’s medication is dispensed. Afterwards the children play, socialize and generally relax. Maribel says the kids don’t have much to go home to and that is the reason she decided to give them something to eat. She laughs and says “when the word gets out there is food at Sunday School the attendance will double maybe triple, that’s OK we’ll have food for them”.
Maribel is the wife of Joe Bass, Director of Operation Safe Drinking Water. She has previously been involved with feeding the poor.
Gracias,
Ken
: : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : : : /\ : : : : : : : : : : \/ : : : : : : : : :
10.8.09
Bocas del Toro ( Bulls Mouth) lies on the north shore of Panama and is home to the Guaymi Indians. They live along the shores in small one room shacks built on stilts over the water and also in the interior of the islands and mainland. Transportation is done by dug out canoes that can be as small as to accommodate two people to large dug outs that can transport huge amounts of cargo. Those who live on the higher ground walk and carry whatever needs to be transported.
The Guaymi have not progressed much beyond the hunter gather stage in their development. They are of little political or economic importance and have very little influence with the government. The concept of saving something for the future escapes them. If there is an abundance of food today it is consumed today with no thought of what will there be to eat tomorrow. The general state seems to be one of perpetual hunger. Small children don’t ask for toys or candy they ask for rice. A young boy had to be hospitalized for three days with a painfully infected cut. After his experience he told everyone how they had fed him three times a day and he was ready to go back, never mentioning his treatment. Now back at home he has one meal a day around 5 o’clock in the afternoon and consists of whatever is available.
The government has provided schools in some of these remote regions, usually a cement building divided into rooms and not enough desks. There is no electricity or plumbing. Teachers live on site in shacks during the school week because of the remoteness. The children are required to wear uniforms that cost around $30.00 which creates a financial burden for their parents. The younger children are taught in the mornings and the older children in the afternoon. At noon a meal is served to both groups. The meal is prepared by the mothers on a rotating basis. If for some reason a mother cannot take her turn she must pay $5.00. Often times this is the only meal many of these children will receive. These conditions haven’t dampened the enthusiasm the children have for learning as evidenced by eager hand raising and attention. Some of these children paddle a dugout canoe for 2 hours one way to attend school each day.
Water quality is a huge issue both at home and at school for these children. The water for consumption is either drawn from a ground surface pool or a stream of dubious quality. Both sources contain water borne diseases that impact those who drink it, especially the children. Operation Safe Drinking Water is focusing its efforts on improving the water quality at these schools using funds that have been so graciously provided by Decorah Lutheran Church.
The plan is to install rain catchment systems at these schools for drinking and bring clean water to the kitchen areas where the food for the children is prepared and dishes are cleaned. The systems are comprised of 3 inch PVC pipe with a slot cut into it attached to the corrugated zinc of the roof to catch the rain which is piped into a 550 gallon holding tank. A stand pipe is installed at the bottom of the tank to fill containers and a 1 inch pipe is run to the kitchen area of the school for use in cooking and cleaning. When school is not in session or when there is ample supply local residents may avail themselves of the water as well but the children come first. Our goal is to serve the most people we can stretching our resources as far as they can go.
Gracias,
Ken