PCPF Updates
New Community Library in Cocle
PCPF is proud to support PCV Erick in Cocle who will be working with his school's PTA to build and establish a community library. In addition to helping increase literacy levels in the community, Erick will train members of the PTA on how to run and maintain the library to ensure the sustainability of the project. Suerte Erick!
Atlanta RPCV Mes de Patria Celebration
Celebrate Panama's Dia de Independencia and Mes de la Patria with us! There will be complimentary salsa dancing/lessons given from 7-9pm and dinner and fellowship for those who don't want to dance. While we are celebrating Panama's Independence days, we welcome all Atlanta area RPCV's and friends to join in on the fun. The restaurant is easily accessible from Highway 285 and there is ample parking!
When: Friday, November 8th at 6:30PM
Where: Coco Cabana Restaurant 4073 Lavista Rd, Tucker, GA 30084
Please email Lataurus Whitley at secretary@panamapcv.net to confirm if you can make it. Look forward to seeing you there!
Bud Keith Scholar GEOVANNI IBARRA: Perseverance and Triathlons
Geovanni lost vision in one eye due to an infection when he was eight years old. He graduated from a vocational program at a high school in Chiriquí and worked in construction until he was 25. Then another infection took the vision from his remaining eye. After three unproductive years at home, he moved to Panama City for rehabilitation and training. Those of you who visited the Patronato Luz del Ciego at PCPF’s 2013 reunion may recall meeting him while he was relearning how to sign his name.
Geovanni's vocational degree was not sufficient for admission to a university, so in 2013, with the help of the Bud Keith Fund, he repeated his final year of high school in an academic program. During the break between high school and his first year of university, the Bud Keith Fund paid for an internship in a hotel’s back office. He learned to wear a tie, navigate the office, and interact with sighted coworkers. Now, still with a stipend from the Bud Keith Fund, he’s completed his course requirements for his B.A. in religion, ethics, and morals. He aspires to be a teacher.
To graduate, Geovanni must still complete a social service project. In November and December, he’ll be working with Fundación Mi Voz Para Tus Ojos, an organization that makes audio books for disabled people and others who can’t read. He will help with audio books for Kuna who want to keep their language and culture alive when they move from their Comarca to areas where Spanish predominates.
What does a 34-year-old blind student do with his free time? He runs triathlons – seven of them this year. The first stage of a triathlon is a long swim and the second is a long bike ride. The photo above shows Geovanni and his sighted trainer/guide dripping wet from their swim, looking for the tandem bike they’ll use for the second stage. The third stage is a long run. Geovanni is on the right.
To learn more about the work of the Bud Keith Fund, or to donate, click here.
News From Panama
Protests in Panama City
Four days of protests have resulted in dozens of arrests of citizens in different areas of Panama City. The protests are in response to the legislative branch of the government enacting multiple controversial changes to Panama's constitution. Find out more here
Felíz Aniversario a La Villa de Los Santos
The historic Santeño community of La Villa de los Santos celebrates 450 years since its founding. Stay informed on the celebrations by clicking here.
Fiestas Patrias 2019
November 1st in Panama kicks off the Mes de la Patria! In Herrera this means disposing of old damaged Panamanian flags during a cremation ceremony. There are of course many new flags to replace them! Read about this tradition here.
Peace Corps Panama Updates
Another Round of Successful Regional Meetings
Twice a year, each province hosts a regional meeting for all of the PCVs in the province to come together, share best practices, reach out for support from one another, reinforce Spanish and Ngäbere skills, and receive updates from the office. October's meetings were a huge success both for PCVs and staff.
Fiestas Patrias around the Country
As many RPCVs remember, the month of November often means a pause from projects, and time spent celebrating Panama's story of independence with community members.
Stay tuned to Peace Corps Panama's Instagram and Facebook for photos of this generation's Mes de la Patria Celebrations
Pollera Inspired Quilt Wins International Prize
Panama/pollera inspired design in quilt wins 2nd place in international quilt show currently held in Houston Texas. Quilt Designer,Dee Legvold (RPCV Nicaragua) and husband, Steve Legvold (RPCV Panama 70-71) visited Panama in 2016. As a result she collaborated with a Guarare mundillo maker and observed the polleras and produced this quilt. It will be in another quilt show in spring 2020 and then goes on display at the Texas Quilt Museum from June - Sept. 2020.
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
With the holidays around the corner, please consider supporting PCPF by shopping through Amazon Smile using the PCPF link. This does not cost anything extra to you nor does it impact the items that you can purchase. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your total purchase to PCPF.
Announcements
Third Goal Activities
Do you continue to be involved in projects in Panama? Are you sharing your Peace Corps experience with other? We would love to feature you in the RPCV spotlight! Please fill out this this Google Form and let us know about the wonderful work you are doing.
Resources
Looking for RPCV Career Support?
Check out the PC Headquarters Career Center online or in person to help support you in finding your perfect career path post-service. Check out their web resources here .
Considering Grad School?
As RPCVs we are eligible for life to apply for grad school financial support through the Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship. Find out more about participating universities and their respective programs here .