Holiday Spirit

 

 

Things have been going smoothly in La Mina since my return. We have been working diligently on the eco stoves. With your donations, we have built 8 family stoves and 2 industrial stoves. We have several more to make and is in the plan to do so after the holidays. Thank so much for those who donated!



Everyone helps out

Benefiting family with the technicians

 

Transport of materials...such wide loads !

 

The recycling center has also been taking off! Every month we have a “Dia de Reciclar” or Recycling Day where people are encouraged to bring recyclables to the center we made in the middle of the community. The last few months have been great turn outs. People came with huge bags of cans and everyone from all sizes and ages started crushing them. Some kids even got so into it they invented a “can crusher” from some wood and old nails lying around. Some of the adults make a competition to see who could crush faster.

I am working with ANAM (the national environmental agency) to take the community’s recycling to a recycling vender. When we have enough, we call our local representative and he comes to look for it in his truck free of charge. Last month we had our first sell and hauled out almost 400 pounds of trash! Cans, plastic, paper and cardboard. With this the community earned over $50 that can be used for their benefit.

One of the biggest success from this past month was a Christmas party I planned with ANAM. The representative who helps us with the recycling project informed me that every year they plan a Christmas party for a poor community and he wanted to bring the celebration this year to La Mina (connecting local agencies to communities.. win!)
I turned in a list of all of the children in the community and coordinated games with the teachers. ANAM reps told me they would bring a “few” goodies… HAH! on the day of the event 5 cars rolled up FULL of people AND presents, piñatas, candy, second hand clothes, food, and a sound system.

The kids had a great time doing team building challenges and playing games. Meanwhile the parents enjoyed watching the kids play.
After the party many of the parents thanked and congratulated me for bringing and organizing an opportunity for the kids. They had never seen a party like this one before.

Using the industrial eco-stove that we made at the school

 

Gifts for all

Just keep dancing

Fun!

Pinata craziness

Ice Cream on a hot day

Everyone got to eat!

I left the school that afternoon beat, but feeling loved. As a volunteer people ask a lot of you and most of the time (at least In Panama) people aren’t too grateful for what volunteers do and usually just complain. It was very nice to hear words of inspiration and gratefulness.

I hope all of my readers also have a very merry Christmas and happy new year!