Kobe Kui

Mucho Pictures

msuellen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:05:14 +0000

Arriving at the School in the Mountains

msuellen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:12:44 +0000

Some of us jumped out and walked the last 100 yards or so to the school. Taking a short cut through the woods we stopped at a natural spring and filled our water bottles. Then making a few stops at some houses along the way and greeting the families living there we arrived at the school shortly. Finally a chance to use the little bit of Ngobe Bugle language that my friend Roberto taught me! I believe it was rather surprising to the people hearing it come from someone such as myself. The school children are so beautiful with their big round dark eyes and shy smiles. As per usual we toured the school classrooms and met the teachers and children. After a bit they had us sit in chairs and various children were brought out to do a number of presentations – songs, dances and games of their culture and of course it was fantastic. After this they fed us some of the food they had prepared and everyone agreed it was very tasty. Now it was our turn to break out the tote with the supplies, toys and things we brought for them. Too many kids and not enough of what we brought so we picked out a few select items and had another hour of play. Throwing the football, jumping rope, throwing a Frisbee and of course another big soccer game. The children and teachers were most grateful. Now it was time to hop in the trucks and head back. Along the way we saw many of the people walking because of course that seems to be their most common means of transportation. After a swim in the river where a bridge was being built we were back in Tole.

Tole – Small Town Hospitality

msuellen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:09:31 +0000

I really like Tole. I wanted to just sit on the benches in front of the supermarket and watch and talk to the local people. Tole is a small town with many indigenous people who were very friendly. When walking among them or talking to them I felt them really studying my face and eyes. Roberto confirmed my suspicion that it is because it is not common for them to see someone such as myself and others in our group with lighter skin tone and different colors of eyes such as blue and green. No time to sit and talk however. We divided our group into two groups of 10 and boarded two four wheel drive pickups with metal cages in the back to ride in. There is no way I can describe the one hour drive over mountain trails. The beauty of the mountains and the ruggedness of the trails was incredible. In the rainy season the only way to make the trip is on foot or horseback. On foot it takes about 3 hours. Roberto has done this many many times.

On to Playa Las Lajas

msuellen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:07:16 +0000

Just 20 minutes or so from the school is Playa Las Lajas. We stopped at Las Lajas Beach Resort for a late lunch and some refreshments. The students were exceedingly pleased and excited with this place so we took our time and enjoyed it. Swimming pool, beach chairs, and hammocks stretched between trees. Greg managed to get some nap time in a hammock while waiting for our food. From here it was down the road to Larry’s place on the beach. Larry has gone above and beyond in taking care of us. Between his house and two others nearby we had enough room for our whole group to stay the night. Larry and Anayansi headed back to David for the night and Larry’s son Aaron served as our host for the night. The next morning it was up early to eat and head to Yanno Callebra school in the mountains. Aaron waited on us hand and foot until we arrived safely in Tole.

The Ngobe Bugle People

msuellen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:03:59 +0000

Left David and arrived at Quebrada guabo school in San Felix around 10:30. About 600 students, mostly indigenous people. They appeared very shy at first, more so than the kids at yesterday’s school. The school is somewhat outside of town or at least in an area that has some open space around it. We looked around at the buildings and classrooms and were introduced to various teachers while meeting and talking with some of the children. They have many classrooms and a particularly impressive computer lab that was started in 2007. The computers have internet access and the room was actually air conditioned which surprised me. It was interesting to see the use of this high tech equipment among people who have very little. It appears to be a very big help in letting them learn more about the world outside of where they live. While we were there one young boy had Google Earth open on the screen so some of our students were able to show him where we came from. After seeing most of the school we met in the center under a very large shade tree. We brought out our tote full of supplies and toys and things and the excitement among the school children was so fun to see. The Interact students then began to show them how to use some of the different things like the American football, a Frisbee, etc. and the fun was on. It didn’t take long for our students and a few hundred of the school students to begin playing everything from catch to jump rope to of course a huge wild soccer game in back of the school on the baseball/soccer field. When I came around the building to see them I looked 50 yards or so out at two taller people with long white legs running and chasing a soccer ball among dozens and dozens of shorter and darker school children. It was Liz and Drey and it was a sight to see! After and hour or so of all of this it was time to go. There were some VERY sad students on both sides of the fence. One particular little boy would literally not let go of Collin. When Collin finally managed to get on the bus without him little Miguel was most sad.

Photos!

msuellen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:48:35 +0000

Lo Siento!!!

msuellen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:34:30 +0000

I’m sorry. Just now having success getting an internet connection. Not that I haven’t tried before now but between the crazy schedule and some bad luck I just couldn’t get it going. Don’t have a bunch of time so this will be some random thoughts. Very hot and humid – 90′s and VERY humid. Had not flight problems on the way down here and ended up with our own small bus/van for the ride from Panama City to David. Definitely saved us some time. Got to David around 11:15. Hosts came to the bus terminal and picked up the kids and the adults made their way over to the hotel. Saturday was a free day – hosts showed the kids around the area and got better acquainted. The host families are so very gracious and accommodating. Sunday was a work day on the Santo Domingo school. Our students did a great job and got a lot done! Sweated a few pounds off of all of them for sure. So much so in fact that we finished up that day. Sunday night we went to one of the host families homes and hung out as one big group. Swimming pool and beautiful place to relax and enjoy. The kids were very happy. Monday morning we returned to the school with some of the things we brought – school supplies, toys, stuffed animals, beanie babies, some sporting goods and miscellaneous. For our Interact students that was definitely the highlight! Seeing the young school children so surprised and happy with what we brought and how we cleaned and painted their school was very moving and rewarding. Hard to describe…….mucho photos, high fives, hugs, introductions, conversations between the Interact students and the school students etc., etc. No one wanted to leave of course but it was time. The Santo Domingo students were all asking when we were coming back. The school Director said we made the kids year but I’m quite sure our Interact students got at least as much out of it. Pausing now – others need to use the laptop. Headed to another school in San Felix then Las Lajas beach after that. Hopefully I’ll be able to post more later and include some pictures.

Panama 2010

msuellen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:42:03 +0000

Kobe kui, or ‘good day’ in the language of the Ngobe Bugle, one of the seven indigenous tribes of Panama.

The full phrase as taught to me by my friend Roberto Perez, an English teacher in Panama working with the Ngobe Bugle people is ‘kobe kui deo jamorogo” meaning “good day my friend”.

Click the “About” link to the right for a more detailed explanation of the purpose of this blog.

Leaving Friday, March 12 and returning Friday, March 19 we will be painting and doing light construction at Santo Domingo school eight miles from David. Along the way we’ll visit a few other schools and deliver much appreciated school supplies, toys and sporting goods.