The Panama Experience: Beyond the Classroom

Panama greeted us with cloudy skies and moisture in the air, the first impression certainly did not match the Panama that sixteen students came to know over the next 8 days. This country is full of individuals ready and willing to help one practice Spanish and get a real taste of Panamanian culture. Due to Panama’s location it offered us a rich and diverse environment with influences from all over the world. From the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean side many cultures were represented in the local markets and food stands. Everything in Panama seemed so colorful from the homes, to the hospitals, to the markets. One of our tour guides stated it the best “Land divided, world united”, symbolizing that the Panama Canal splits the land but the world is linked through the waterway allowing for influences and diverse culture.

Panama seems to have the effect of joining very different groups together and allowing to fit perfectly together like the pieces of a puzzle to create a cohesive picture. It had the same effect on the group of USF students, we all had unique experiences yet combined together those experiences created our Panama experience. Some of us climbed a mountain, swam in the mouth of a waterfall, and marveled over one of the world’s most successful engineering feats, beyond the aesthetic activities there was a more serious side to the trip. We saw the disparities between public and private hospitals and children bald from chemotherapy treatment, we saw parents crying over their sick children, and how indigenous tribes live in nature. There was a feeling on invasion yet we still felt welcomed with open arms. In life’s most private moments we were allowed to view, that was the first time I really felt far away from the United States. I had never been in a situation of seeing a mother’s eyes welling up with tears because her first baby was sick yet she allowed me to embrace her. I couldn’t help but break down with her, yet all my friends were right there with me helping to encourage this woman. Even across the language barrier we left her and there was a hint of a smile on her face. I’m not sure what ended up happening to her baby but I realized that I was with a group of phenomenal students who could show compassion in the most serious of situations and everyone truly added to my experience. My respect grew for everyone and I began to see this group as my family away from home.

Panama overall did not match my expectations, more likely because I didn’t have expectations going into the trip. Towards the end of the trip I did realize that the group I traveled with made my experience what is was. Everyone really looked out for one another and made the Panama Experience more than just a class. Since this is a reflection of the overall trip I wanted to do just that, not focus on each activity, but rather focus on how each individual added to my Panama experience. Some affected my outlook on life, others made activities more enjoyable, and many did both.

First I want to say thank you to all of our translators, I’m sure it was mentally grueling and I really appreciate it.

Alexandra: I must say she has a laugh like no other, she has an ability to make herself laugh and it’s contagious that you have to laugh along with her. We had a situation trying to translate English to Spanish, a mere request for extra milk. Alex had ordered a Café con Leche essentially it didn’t have as much like as she would have liked so we attempted to order more. “Mas leche, por favor”, they didn’t understand why she would want more milk for her drink. They thought she wanted another Café con Leche, attempt number two “Solo leche, no Café con Leche” they simply stared at us. After a couple more attempts a bilingual woman helped us. We waited for the milk that never came. Eventually a woman delivered my drink and we asked for milk again and she came back with two cups of milk, one hot and one cold.  For two competent people, ordering extra milk had certainly become a task and a comical moment to laugh over later.

Amaara: I didn’t have a chance to get to know Amaara on a very personal level however I can say that Her gorgeous accent captivated us all. Some attempted to mimic her accent because her words all came out with such grace and beauty. In addition to her eloquence she radiated a positive energy and always appeared to be happy. One person can affect the mood of the group and she certainly seemed to make everyone more positive.

Christie: She has a smile that can light up a room, when we first arrived in Panama she had the biggest smile going through customs as if to say “I can’t believe I’m in Panama right now”. Beyond her facial expression, she truly looks out for others. Even if she had already eaten dinner she would join another merely to provide company so the other didn’t have to be alone. She really the phrase embodies the phrase “Character is who you are when no one is watching”.

Chrissy: She is extremely sweet and passionate about making a change. She also is into collecting rocks and she had such excitement finding new ones wherever our journeys took us. This reminded to always keep my eyes open and look for the little things while in Panama in hopes that I would never miss an opportunity to make new memories.

Ilianette: By the end of the trip I was calling her Ili, she was very charismatic and extremely fun to live with. Every day at the different markets or wherever a vendor may be she would come back with new jewelry or hair accessories. I did my shopping vicariously so by the end of the trip I really didn’t end up with much. Regardless of her shopping habits, she was very considerate of others and if you weren’t feeing good she would sit with you and rub your back.

Ivy: She has no problem speaking her mind and I really like the quality about her. She also was extremely confident and completely rocked her hair. One time in our villa I came out of the bathroom and I saw a shoe fly over my head. I had no idea what was going on; I soon realized that Ivy was trying to kill a giant mosquito. It was literally bigger than the size of a quarter so I decided to try and help. We spent the next several minutes throwing shoes trying to kill but without much luck. Christie came in and then finally killed it, so it took 3 honors student to knock out a bug.

Jenny: She is very fun to be around and has a great sense of fashion. No matter where we travel she was always put together even in a USF t-shirt. She was very considerate of others and would offer a head massage if you weren’t feeling good. During one of our class reflections she made the comment that she couldn’t help but give money because Panamanians have so little and we have so much. She was very sincere and offered others something that she had in hopes of making their future brighter. This was very admirable and taught me that no matter what we have there is always something that we can share.

Jennifer: Jennifer and I sat together a couple times on the bus. One such time she was so sweet and ask if she cold lay on my shoulder. It was so adorable; unfortunately sleep was not possible with the serenading that was occurring in the background. So we ditched our effort and laughed at the guys singing until we made it back to the City of Knowledge.

Jerry: I think it can easily be said that Jerry is one of the funniest individuals that I have come to know in my life. He is beyond witty and appears to be very confident busting out in song with his partner in crime, Julio. I feel like our group must have heard “ROOOOOOYCE” at least twenty times on the trip and it never got old. Many noted that he gave great hugs, so even if you weren’t feeling great he could always cheer you up. It was nice having humor after a more serious day because some of what we had experienced left lasting impacts. Jerry, I hope you don’t mind e sharing this, but I still laugh about this: he said “I can brush my stomach hair a certain way so it looks like I have a six pack”. He was so completely serious that it makes the comment even more hilarious.  

Julio: I think everyone can attest that Julio has unprecedented sarcasm, so much so that most of the time you didn’t know if he was being serious or joking. It led to an interesting class relationship and much room for humor. He and Jerry were comrades and together would sing songs, like after El Valle singing for three hours on the way home; they have quite a unique version of Silent Night (I hope someone got that on film).

Kyle: Kyle was a very real individual; he didn’t put up a front, essentially what you see is what you get. He demonstrated that there is not need to complicate things in life and to take things as they are, a lesson I am still learning. The only time I saw Kyle interact differently was at Nutre Hogar. There was a precious little baby girl who was completely attached to him and he reciprocated that same emotion. Anytime he would leave she would cry they had an adorable camaraderie. We all finally saw a soft side of Kyle and one we won’t forget. Another thing I have to commend Kyle one for those who did not go hiking in El Valle, Kyle hiked all the way up the mountain and across the mountain range in Sperry’s. Boat shoes are definitely not ideal to hike and he neither fell nor complained once the entire three hours. That takes mad skill and I wish I could have said the same for myself.

LaDonna: LaDonna was constantly looking out for others during the trip and was overwhelmingly patient. You could tell that she is great mom because she would look for different souvenirs at the different markets, but she also looked out for all of us on the trip. She was the foundation to our great big family on her trip, (thank you LaDonna’s family for sharing her for eight days, I’m sure you missed her like crazy, but we loved having her with us on the trip). On a more serious side we had a visit to the public hospital I think LaDonna could empathize most because she is a mother; I truly valued her perspective on the situation. During reflection later that day she would make the best connections, ones that I wouldn’t have even thought of.

Mitzy: Mitzy is probably one of the only people who doesn’t have a bad word to say about anyone. She is very genuine and I want to become more like her. She demonstrated time and time again that it is best to build some one up and not tear them down, focus on the good and not the bad. She seems very intent on making a difference in the world and I feel like she could make a large impact with girls and how they view themselves.

Theresa: She is a ball full of energy and excitement. I remember times on the trip where she would dance around with excitement for our next activity. She has such a sense of adventure and wouldn’t say no to any challenge put in front of her. Towards the end of the trip she and Christies would speak with a New York accent that was absolutely hilarious. Whenever someone added some comedy to the trip it made it that much more enjoyable. I had some one on one conversations with Theresa during our volunteering and it made the work pass by quickly.

Vita: During the trip I had some girl talk with Vita and she is a very real and honest person. I think most would agree that she is easygoing and extremely chill. At one point on the trip, on the way to EL Valle, she and I were comparing family injuries. It was such a random conversation but entirely interesting. She is probably most noted on her “That’s so V_ _” you guys can fill in the rest. I think her chill personality added to the pictures she took, she would find the coolest pictures in the tangled mess of her surroundings.

I’m so glad that everyone was part of my Panamanian Experience, it was an unforgettable one. I would certainly do a trip like this again with all of you!!! J

El Fin

I keep seeing mountains. In the reflection of the floor in a wall of tile, the way objects interrupt the flow of light through windows, casting shadows, in the clouds passing under each other outside the airplane window. I want to see them; I want to forever have engraved in my memory the landscapes I saw, each one taking my breath away.

The word repeating in my head throughout the trip was “incredible.” How incredible it was that the geography of a country could have characteristics of tropical places with its rainforests, palm trees, and Miami-esque high rises, and also look like something out of New England, with ascending hills and mountains, and beaches with huge chunks of beach glass scattered among the colorful rocks (Chrissy understands…). I had the best of both my worlds at opposite ends of the East coast in the U.S. in a place that was so foreign to both of them. That kind of vision has a foothold in my mind. In a way it started to feel like I was home, but I had only spent 8 days in Panamá.

I learned so much about Panamá through everything we did; every hospital tour and visit to FANLYC, the hours spent with the children at Nutre Hogar, the trip to the Canal, El Valle, Casco Viejo, Panamá Viejo, the Embera, going out to club People on Calle Uruguay, Tinajas, and dinners and drinks at la Taberna del Canal and the Irish Pub just outside la Ciudad del Saber each contributed a special emotion and were all small pieces of a puzzle that when complete with all the others we weren’t able to see in our short time there depicts what is the Panamanian culture and people. Not all of it was appealing to see; we saw struggle, hardship, and sickness, but above all we saw a population that amidst all that could still have faith and be content with what they have. That to me is beautiful. It shows that you can appreciate life no matter what you’ve been handed or where you find yourself.

On the last night we were there before we had to return to the States, Chrissy, Ladonna, Alexandra and I decided that we had to pay one last visit to la Taberna to get some food. I had the privilege of meeting the owner of the restaurant, and we conversed about how we both found ourselves here in Panamá. He told me he was from Spain, and had visited Panamá for the first time when he was 29. He fell in love with the sights and people just as I did, and said that upon returning to Spain he felt out of place, even though Spain had always been his home. He felt like he was a tourist in his own country and that something was missing. He decided to return to Panamá, and 14 years later has a family there and is the owner of a restaurant that overlooks one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the Panamá Canal.

Being back in the States now, back to the daily grind, I’ve experienced that culture shock that Rene from Education Abroad was warning us about before our trip. I thought it would have occurred the other way around, but upon returning to the States it felt odd to have to make the switch back to using English as a primary language, and I began to have that feeling of being out of place that the restaurant owner told me about. It was even more strange that I had to fly 4,000 miles north and end up in the snow sprinkled city of Boston. In a place where I have always felt more at home than anywhere else, something feels missing.  

My trip to Panamá was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. I am so thankful to have been given such an amazing opportunity and to have been able to experience it with such amazing friends. I think that was the hardest part, saying goodbye to everyone so soon. Although it was the end of the trip, it marked what I hope to be the beginning of many great friendships. No matter how much enthusiasm I put behind each retelling of the story of how we discovered the closeness of the Panamá Canal, how beautiful the buildings in Casco Viejo look, or how hilarious moments like the trip to “Enderun” (On the Run. Yea, like the gas station.) that some of my classmates took were, no one else gets it like we do. What we shared and are left with is something truly incredible.  

Until next time, I’ll just keep looking for mountains.

 -Christie Emigh

The End: Julio Novo

Can you believe it is over? I can't. Here we are back in our own beds, eating regular meals (no more bread and Nutella) and taking showers with water that doesn't attack you with cold. Something feels missing. Last night I slept without waking up to Jerry's aggressive snoring. I ate a hot, home cooked breakfast. What once felt familiar and safe now simply feels lacking.

We started our semester as strangers. Indeed, for the most part, our class progressed this way until our time in Panama. We played with children together; we fed hungry babies together; we laughed together; we brewed over the injustices of public and private healthcare. Our common experience united us in a way that I hadn't known prior to Panama. We grew from acquaintances to friends. From friends to close friends.

As a finance major, a person who is essentially taught to remove emotion, this experience came as a rude awakening. It put me in an uncomfortable place in which I was forced to rethink my priorities in life. I came from similar conditions in Cuba, but that feels like a bad dream a world away. This trip put my mind in perspective. I came face-to-face with what I previously vaguely remembered--adversity, the struggles of the unfortunate. It is a strange feeling trying to justify the selfish pursuits of business after acquiring a first hand knowledge of the circumstances and the struggles that others are living through each day. I feel ashamed when one of these struggling individuals can smile at me, a stranger from a rich country, and treat me like a friend.

We came as tourists and only stayed for a week in that country. But we did not leave as tourists. What we saw in one week most do not ever have a chance to see. We met other students from Florida State University who had been living there for an entire semester and did not even know who the Embara people were. That one week felt like a month--one of the best months of my short life. This is what made leaving difficult. I did not expect to see what I saw, to feel what I feel for each individual in this group.

Saying goodbye to these people whom I shared so much with in only one week was difficult. Person after person we hugged our farewells. After each new friend disappeared back to their own lives I felt as though a little of me went with them. Maybe it is only through reminiscing that these sad feelings are resurfacing. Maybe it will all fade away. Maybe most of us will not see each other again. Or maybe we will. Regardless of the future I cherish this experience. I will always look back on it and smile.

And so it ends.

Day 7 by Ivana Simpson

Ziplining through the forests in El Valle, horseback riding and mud baths. This was the best day ever!!

Ziplining was one of the best experiences I have had on this trip. Initially, I was not going to do it, but because I am only in Panama once and I had never done it before I decided to go. We drove up to the starting point of the mountain and listened to instructions from the facilitators and hiked our way to the ropes. We then took our first attempt. Everyone in the class was supportive and encouraging as we took pictures and cheered each other on. It was also very funny because I told the facilitator to make me go "rapidamente" and I went so fast I couldn't brake soon enough and I knocked the receiving facilitator over! It was so fun! The most beautiful view was the waterfall over which we were stopped and suspended over during the middle of our zipline course. The view of this waterfall and the butterflies and flora and fauna of the rainforest was a reminder of how incredible nature is.

After zip-lining we left to horseback riding.  Again because this was another adventure I had never done, I decided to go horseback riding. This was not my favorite activity, however I am glad I did it. We were able to ride through a town and see beautiful houses and gardens which is a different view compared to what we see in the city with high riser condos.

Next we went to the mud baths. Here we did clay facials, let them dry while we soaked our feet in the hot spring waters and then took a swim. As gross as it sounds the water is actually very warm and soft. The water is natural from hot springs and contains a blend of natural minerals and salts which makes the water therapeutic after soaking in it for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 45.

Instead of going to the beach we ended up going to open market in El Valle, where they sold souvenirs and fruits. The crafts they sell amaze me because they typically make them from natural elements as well. I also bought some bananas for 40 cents! Its crazy because in the U.S. we are used to a small produce section or a little tiny farmers market with a large frozen food and past section, well in Panama it is the opposite. The access to and cost of fruits in Panama is much more convenient and at times it seems as the only way to eat.

Through zipling, horseback riding and mudbaths, this day reminded me of how centering nature is. All three of these activities involved components of nature, which we don’t usually get to do during the semester or in Florida at all. They were very relaxing experience that was the best planned and well needed day of this trip. These experiences gave me a greater appreciation for nature. 

December 17th, 2011 - Day 7 by Jennifer Tejiram

Yesterday we travelled from our villas in the City of Knowledge, Panamá to El Valle, a town located in the crater of a dormant volcano that is also referred to as El Valle.  This morning, after a delicious Panamanian breakfast in the eatery on the first floor of the hotel, we departed at about 8:50 to begin our day.  The class divided into two groups: one that went zip lining and horseback riding and another that hiked up the mountains around the perimeter of the crater.  At the end of these activities, the whole class converged at the water springs located in El Valle for group bonding over mud facials and long soaks in mineral water baths. 

During our conveyance by bus to all of the projects the class participated in during this trip, I never failed to notice the richness of the surrounding scenery which was particularly apparent in the environment of El Valle.  Peppered between bowers of creeping vines and lush gardens of vibrant flowers and fruit trees sat rustic, colorful homes in shades of pinks, blues, and yellows. This style is reminiscent of the creole influence in the hues used in the architecture, especially of residential buildings, of such countries as French Guyana and I am left wondering if this same influence was present as well within Panamá during the construction of these houses. Through the constant drizzle of rain could be glimpsed Panamanians going about their duties around their houses or strolling along the sides of the road as our bus charged by within an inch of them.  The volcanic crater of El Valle was the most beautiful sight of all to behold. Shrouded in fog, mountains and crater peaks reared high in the background, their slopes blanketed with thick, verdant forests.  As you can see, I was really quite partial to the landscape of Panamá, especially the stunning ranges of hills and mountains which do not exist in Florida, where I was born and raised, and which I had never seen before in my life.  It’s definitely worth braving the cold showers of your bathroom and the perpetual damp air that seeps through your clothes in a typical day in Panamá. 

The group that went hiking declared, when we had all reunited, that it had been an exhilarating and breathtaking experience.  To brave a climb up the rocky sides of the mountains with nary a piece of rock climbing equipment to be found seemed to make their exaltation that much sweeter when they finally attained the summit and received their first glimpse of what I imagine to be the misty, richly emerald depths of the crater.  Having no athletic prowess whatsoever and knowing that all I would feel at the top of that mountain is a large stitch in my side, I opted to participate in the group that went zip lining and horseback riding.  Zip lining is honestly scary at the start, especially when you first look down the zip line and realize how steep it is and how far you would fall if the line broke...however, that was never an issue fortunately.  It ended up being a pretty thrilling experience!  Most of the time you could control your speed by bearing down with your stronger hand on the stretch of cord behind the mechanism that rolled you down to the next platform.  During one expanse of zip line, we were able to pause about 50 feet above a massive waterfall that measured approximately 200 feet. 

 It was amazing! Truly one of those once in a lifetime opportunities.  Being able to fly through the canopy of this beautiful Panamanian forest further opened my eyes to the richness of this foreign country and sparked my curiosity about the richness of other countries as well.  During the course of this class, my fellow classmates and I had to research a topic in relation to Panamá and present our findings in a paper and a research poster.  My topic concerned Panamanian herbal remedies that could be derived mainly from the indigenous plants of the forests.  As I zoomed through the trees I became truly aware of the vast diversity of the flora and how the diverse chemicals of rainforest plants can harbor a plethora of medical capabilities.  For my first time zip lining I definitely learned quite a few things. 

The next item on the to-do list for the group I was in was horseback riding, however I ended up not participating in it at all.  When we drove up the stables the first sight we witnessed were thin and shivering horses.  Though they did not look excessively unhealthy, it was pretty clear to see that these horses were not well nourished or well treated.  I even distinctly remember one of the stable caretakers shoving a horse’s head around toward the track these poor creatures typically traversed.  Though their situation did not appear to be extreme, the level of degradation of the horses was nonetheless disturbing. 

After this long day of adrenaline rushing activities, the entire group detoxed with some mud facials and baths at the water springs in El Valle.  Two types of mud were offered: a brown one and a tan one, with the tan mud usually being utilized for sensitive skin.  In the baths, hot mineral water surged maintaining a constant temperature between 90°F and 100ºF.  After all of the cold showers this class had been subjected to since the initial arrival into Panamá, the high temperatures of this water were pretty soothing and relaxing, at least for the short while we were allowed to remain within the bath. 

We were supposed to go visit one of Panamá’s famous black sand beaches afterwards however, the class spent most of the remaining time browsing the cheap wares of the market in El Valle.  A multitude of distinct and genuinely artistic merchandise was displayed here, such as intricately painted jungle related scenes on feathers, carefully handcrafted bracelets and necklaces, as well as many native sweetmeats. 

After a brief stop at the top of the crater of the volcano for a farewell scan of El Valle, we set off on a two hour voyage by bus back to our villas where we reconvened for our habitual group reflection of our last day in Panamá and pre-flight departure discussion.  Overall, our stay in Panamá taught us a good deal about the disparities between Panamá and America as well as opened our eyes to an intriguing culture shock.  It was definitely a worthwhile excursion and I encourage anyone that is interested to take the plunge and get a first hand experience of a foreign country as well. 

Day Six!!

The morning dawned as every morning during our trip here in Panama; me stumbling to turn off the alarm and nearly falling of the bed while my roommate politely refrains from smothering me with a pillow after enduring the past six hours of my cacophonous snoring. However, his justified morning rage was subdued after a quick peek at our itinerary and realizing that today was another day of volunteering at the FANLYC center for children battling cancer. 

Upon arrival at the center, I reflected again on how well kept the center was.  The facility was more than adequate to temporarily house the children. The staff and events for the children were exceptionally organized. As the Christmas holiday comes up, our task for today was to organize the donated toys based on gender and subject for the children to choose from.  As I entered through the doorway of the toy room, I felt as if though the gates of childhood heaven swung open to welcome me. Almost every inch of the room was covered in toys. Everything was there from the latest ‘Transformers’ action figure to cartoon-themed board games such as SpongeBob monopoly, comically translated to “Bob Esponja”.  Our service was brief but very helpful according to one of the directors of the center, who kindly thanked us for our help as parted with the kids and the center.

After we departed from FANLYC, we began our perilous journey to the Panama Viejo Ruins.  Our skilled driver weaved in and out of traffic at NASCAR speeds to get us to our destination in one piece. Though he successfully brought us to the ruins, my psyche was surely not maintained in one piece, but rather shattered into thousands of shards of newfound phobias, mostly regarding entering vehicles. As I cautiously crawled out of the bus, my phobias were quickly overcome by the breathtaking view of the ruins. Hundreds of years of rich history lay before me with emerald green grass encompassing the entire area, scattered with walls of rock and mortar from the 16^th century.  It was amazing to think that these withering structures were once the foundation of a bustling city, housing some of the first settlers of Panama.  After the destruction of the town, the city was rebuilt in what is now Casco Viejo, yet the majority of the destroyed foundations were intact. The scenery was absolutely stunning and was difficult to leave, but our tour continued to Panama Causeway.

We again traveled the winding roads of Panama towards the Causeway to have lunch on the seaside. However, this time our perilous journey was accompanied by a Grammy worthy score of karaoke by my roommate and I.  As we bellowed incorrect lyrics to Usher tracks, the gorgeous landscape of Panama passed us by so quickly, much like our trip. It hit me then that we were nearing the end of Panama adventure, with only a few short days left.  My high spirits turned to sadness, which then turned to nausea, however the nausea was most likely due to the drive over. When we arrived at the Ranchitos restaurant, the smell of fresh grilled fish and ripe lime quickly changed my disposition.  I was overcome with happiness when my grilled corvina was served which really hit the spot. Following the meal was 2 enormous scoops of the sweetest ice cream I had ever eaten from a local shop along the beach. A perfect ending to a perfect day.

-Jerry 

Day Six

On the first day we arrived to FANLYC, a housing center for children with chronic illnesses and cancers, I couldn’t help but smile at how beautiful the center truly was. The central square courtyard consisted of a stone fountain surrounded by all sorts of flowers, a mini chapel decorated with a life-size Santa Claus propped next to the bell on the roof waving joyously as if delivering presents to all the children, and various Christmas decorations all throughout the center at every corner and turn of the paved walkways. All along the walls, inspirational paintings and posters of galaxies, nebulas, and supernovas were hung for aesthetic pleasures. On the third and last day of our morning volunteering at FANLYC, a particular poster of an exploding star caught my eye once again as I translated the message inscribed in Spanish:

Therefore, as a gesture of unconditional love, he chose to forever share with them pure feelings, expanding into a thousand pieces.

            These words perfectly represent our actions of service for our three days at FANLYC. Within the few hours spent every morning, my classmates and I helped with the everyday duties of the staff by chopping vegetables, assisting with laundry, wiping the windows, mopping the floors, washing the walls, and even wrapping Christmas presents for the children. On our last day of service at FANLYC, we were given the task of sorting through hundreds of Christmas presents meant for the children at the center according to gender appropriate categories. Immediately upon stepping into the room, my jaw dropped and an astonished “wow” escaped from my lips. The decorated room filled with hundreds of presents was the epitome of Santa’s workshop - and we were given the honor of being Santa’s elves for a couple hours. Everyone jumped into the task immediately organizing a system of unwrapping the donated presents, sorting them out according to gender, and then neatly displaying them on the various tables around the room.

            Christmas music from the courtyard lightly floated into Santa’s workshop over the rustling of wrapping paper and shouts of excitement from our classmates as everyone reminisced over the numerous types of Barbies, board games, and toy cars. Even as we sorted through all the toys, the atmosphere inside the room was filled with laughter and enthusiasm. The task presented to us was not viewed or felt as work, but as a privilege and fun activity to be helping the children in one way or another. As I looked around the room and skimmed over all the toys set on the tables and hanging from the walls, I could already imagine the faces of the children and the excitement building up in their expressions with their fingertips itching to choose their next adventure. This is the purpose of our service at FANLYC: to invoke the purest feelings of happiness in a child’s life, even if only for a mere second. One way this can be done is through the assistance of duties required by the staff to create and maintain a homey, encouraging, and loving atmosphere for the children battling illnesses that cause both emotional and physical pain. 

            Throughout this trip and Panamá experience of visiting hospitals, Nutre Hogar, and FANLYC, I have come to realize that good health is the greatest gift anyone can receive. For those children and adults who unfortunately have lost their health, the second greatest gift is support from loving individuals during the battles and pains of restoring health. FANLYC represents a community of individuals with the courage of presenting a pure unconditional love to a child. This can be done in a thousand ways, whether it is chopping carrots, cleaning bed sheets, scrubbing the chairs, or teaching a child how to play the piano. During the past three days, my classmates and I were given the privilege to share this unconditional love with the children of FANLYC, as each child brought out the pure sentiments of care within us.   


-Jenny An