Panama Update - October 2009

Oh boy! It has been a while since I have posted and I am sorry about that. There have been SO many good things happening with the Panama project and it is time that I share them.

We returned to Panama in May to visit the community of Irgandi. We had a doosie of a time getting to the community (think: missing luggage, 8 hours in a boat, throwing up into the ocean, etc.), but we made it. The people of Irgandi are excited to have us there.

We worked with the women and silas at the congresso. Together, we chose 5 community health workers from the women who came. The women were very shy to volunteer and nominate each other. After 5 were selected, they stood up with smiles on their faces. It was at that point that I realized that I want to keep working in Panama. I had pretty much resigned myself before the trip to being done after this visit. I was content in my decision to never come back with VIDA and to not worry about this project anymore. After I saw these women stand and decide to be health care workers, I had the great desire to stick with it. Being here and seeing all of these things happen makes me realize why I love this and why I do what I do in public health.

Four of the new community health workers, with Janette

I do love seeing positive change. The silas announced to the community that these women have been chosen and will be in charge of specific members of the community. The women came and stood before the community. It was a powerful thing. With a little bit of female empowerment, this community could do so many things. These women were shy, but proud. This is a good thing.

Climb for your VIDA!

VIDA is having a fundraiser, in conjunction with Momentum Climbing Gym and some other fantastic sponsors. It is on Saturday, February 28th, all day. If you come buy a day pass that day, you are automatically donating to VIDA, because Momentum will be donating a portion of your day pass to our Panama project! So you get to climb AND be philanthropic.

And to sweeten the deal for you bloggers out there, if you post this flyer and the details on your blog, I will send you a Kuna bracelet, called a wini. Yeah, cool. So tell your friends to post it on their blogs, too. To get your bracelet, all you have to do is comment on this post letting me know that you are helping me out. Then I will get your address from you and shortly thereafter you will receive a wini in the mail. If you don't know what a wini is, see the picture below.

Stories from May 2008 - Traveling

The flight to Panama was fine. I read, watched movies, and listened to music. We flew from Salt Lake City to Houston – 3 hours – then from Houston to Panama City – 5 hours. We were picked up at the airport by friends that Chris knew from his mission - Flori, Luis, and Luis Jr. We crammed into vans and were dropped off at the various houses we would be staying at that night.

The next day (Sunday, May 11) we woke up at 4:00 a.m. to be out the door by 5:00 a.m. to get picked up and taken to meet up with our group at a super market, only to wait around for transportation until 8:00 a.m. We rode in 2 pickup trucks through the rainforest to get to the east coast of Panama. The drive took us 4-5 hours. Some of us were able to squeeze into the cab of the trucks – me included – while the rest rode in the beds of the trucks on benches.

I was fortunate enough to get a window seat. I was totally squished because there were 3 other people in the backseat with me, but I got to stare out the window the whole time as we drove on a dirt road through the jungle. I really loved the ride through the jungle. I couldn’t stop staring out the windows – there was just so much for my eyes to take in – you would think I would have gotten enough in 5 hours, but I could have stared longer. It was so beautiful.

Ann, Janette, and Matt - posing in the forest

We made a brief stop at the top of a hill in the jungle. The top of this hill overlooked the jungle and you could see the east coast and Caribbean in the distance. We all took pictures.

Rainforest canopy

We came to a river that we couldn’t cross in the trucks, so we waited on the banks with our stuff until boats came to pick us up. We waited on the shore for probably an hour or more – I’m not really sure because I lost all concept of time on this trip – and we ate lunch.

We loaded the boats and we floated down the river to the ocean and then out to the islands. We floated down the river past some small villages, even a Kuna cemetery. It was all amazing and beautiful to see – I got to stare at more jungle, which was fantastic. Very peaceful.

Once on the islands, we traveled by motorboat from island to island throughout the week. Oh, how I despised those boats by the end! The boat rides were horrible. The boats were so laden with people (us) and our luggage that they couldn’t go very fast and the ocean spray was constantly on us. We were always soaking wet because of it.

It soaked our luggage, too, so all of our clothes were wet as well. And because of the humidity, it was impossible to get things dry. That was probably the worst part for me – never being dry. I got quite rashy from the water, salt, and heat.

Oh, so let me mention the salt – normal water would have been one thing to deal with, but we were always wet with salt water. So once you did start to dry a little bit, you were encrusted with salt that would sting and burn your skin and eyes. Salt burn really sucks.

The length of the boat rides were always double what it would have normally been because the boats were so heavy. We would spend at least 3 hours on the boats each day, sometimes more. When we finally left the islands (from Ustupu) back to Panama City, on the little, kind of scary airplane, we were so ecstatic not to be on a boat that the airplane that should have scared us was like heaven! Oh, I loved that airplane ride!

We flew back to Salt Lake City the way we came.

The Story of Irgandi

The next phase of the Panama project is planned for May 2009. We are implementing a health project in the San Blas Islands, in a Kuna community called Irgandi. Irgandi sits on the mainland coast, very close to the islands of Playon Chico and San Ignacio de Tupile.


The reason that Irgandi was chosen for the health project is because of its unique location. Irgandi is normally quite difficult to get in and out of by boat, as they do not have an appropriate docking area. During the rainy season in Panama (November ~ March), it is nearly impossible to get in or out of Irgandi using the regular motor boats that the Kuna citizens use.

Waves off the coast at Irgandi

Irgandi’s closest medical clinic is on the island of Playon Chico, but during the rainy season, the community members of Irgandi cannot get to the clinic, and the local doctors cannot get to them. The health department reports a significant increase in the number of health problems and illness-related deaths during the 3-4 month span.

Because of Irgandi’s diminished access to health care, we are working with the health department to train women in the community to become Community Health Workers. These women will be trained to maintain health records, recognize and treat symptoms of disease, and educate other members of their community. The hope is that these women will be able to aid their community all year, but especially during the rainy season, to decrease the number of illnesses and deaths.

Community garden at Irgandi

Cooking inside

Food preparation

The Irgandi landromat

And so it begins

This is the first of many posts about my adventures in Panama. I encourage all to come and read about the massive experience that is my research and service in Panama.

Why start now, you say? Well, I have been to Panama twice before and already have many stories to share, as will become evident very soon. But I choose to start this blog now because I happen to be leading the Panama project for VIDA this year and for the next two years (!), so it is time to start the chronicles.

Project leader, researcher, student, public health professional, volunteer, hottie (says my sweet husband), and a little bit crazy - that is PanaMantana.

me and the lovely janette, my parter in crime

Donate to a great cause

100% of all donations contribute to the project in Panama. Donations provide funding for

• travel
  
• health supplies
  
• building supplies
• training materials for community health workers
• health education materials for schools and the community
• and many more important needs of the Kuna Yala people

Donations of all amounts are accepted.

How do I donate?
Send checks to:

VIDA
235 E Browning Ave
Salt Lake City, UT 84115

Because VIDA is a 501 c 3 organization, every donation is tax deductible and you will receive a tax receipt shortly after your donation is received.

What if I want to see how my donation helps?
For any donation of $3,000 or more, you can have the chance to reserve a spot on a VIDA Donor Trip. You will travel with members of VIDA to Panama to see where we work and meet the people you are helping. For more information, please email Ann Johnson at ann_rjo@hotmail.com.

But if the thought of far off locales scares you, you can always keep checking back with this blog to hear about all of the fascinating stories and heart-touching moments.

What else do I get if I donate?
Well, Karma will, of course, smile down upon you. But you will also get your name or business displayed on my donor wall (take a look to the right and see all of the selfless people who have already donated to the cause) as well as on our Panama Project t-shirts, worn by only the best and coolest people. And I will casually flaunt your awesomeness in my various conversations around the globe.