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Issue: 12
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Quarter
4/ Dec 2009
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Happy Holidays!
It's time again to reflect on the past year and look forward to the
new.
PCPF has had an exciting 2009. We were able to give to PC
Partnership projects, sell more calendars for the PC Panama Volunteers,
grow our network, and see the Bud Keith Scholarship for the Blind
continue to grow.
Next year will be even better! More initiatives for
networking, volunteering, and connecting with Panama. Keep in
touch and let us know how you would like to be involved.
We wish you a Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
La Presidenta,
Jamie
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2010
Panama Calendar - Don't Miss Out
 Only 49 left!
Questions? Email panamacalendars@panamapcv.net or call
Steve Spangler, 703-536-5457, or Jerry Lutes, 301-881-3407.
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PCRV Profile: Bob
Arias
by
Hugh Smith
Bob originally
served in PC Colombia in the 1960's but has recently returned to Panama
as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer to work on projects for the United
Nations Development Program involving organic gardening, farm
irrigation, and oyster harvesting. His work has been featured in a Peace Corps video,
but here are some of his insights he has shared with PCPF:
Accomplishments
No "monuments" to look at, but fields of rice, corn,
tomatoes, guandu, aji, onions, papaya, yuca, colantro/cilantro and of
course oysters. Watermelons, melons, and pumpkins maybe next for the
summer. With the lack of rain and the uncertain effects of El Nino, we
are looking at perhaps not planting rice...this is a serious step that
they are taking...just to think about changing crops for the right
reason is an accomplishment. I am proud of them, even if they do plant
rice next year, they discussed the merits...pros and cons! The Tourist
effort in Paris or the Oyster project in Canas shows us that they are
asking the right questions of each other and the communities. And
agencies such as ANAM have provided ample support and encouragement.
For me, the beauty of being able to see and feel the cultural
environment of Panama is beyond my expectations. Panama has always been
the one country in Latin America where I had never seen the interior,
only Panama City! Having been here for almost five months has given me
the opportunity to see a country that is on the verge of some great
accomplishments, that the other countries of Latin America may need to
catch up with Panama. I find the people to be honest, very
friendly...they will go out of their way to offer assistance. But it is
in their youth that I see the future of Panama. I feel that my decision
to accept the Response invitation was the right one for me! I would
encourage any former Volunteer to consider a three or six month
assignment...you will share your experience and gain new perspectives
of yourself, and give new meaning to the Third Goal! The experience has
had a positive effect on me and has changed my direction...and I now
have new friends that mean so much to me. I did not expect to find the
warmth and friendship that I have experienced...Gracias Panama!
Bob Arias
RPCV Colombia 1964-1966
Peace Corps Response/Panama 2009
Click here to read
Bob's full profile and watch his Peace Corps video.
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PCPF Supported
Projects
by Hugh Smith
PCPF, through you,
contributes to all Peace Corps Partnership Panama projects and raises
funds for the Super Small Program Assistance grants through your
calendar purchase. Thank you for your continued support!
 
90% of your donations go to directly to projects in Panama! With your
help, PCPF sponsor 30% (up to $500) of funds needed by Panama volunteers.
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PCPF Special
Projects: Bud Fund Recipient Update
by Jerry Lutes
As a result of your donations to the Bud Keith Scholarship Fund
for the Blind, Yaneth Sánchez will be graduating from high school in
December. She received your financial aid for the current school
year and half of the previous year. Her family's financial
situation is desperate, so she has set aside her plans for college and
is looking for employment.
Meanwhile Alejandro Martínez, who graduated third in his high school
class last year, has maintained an A- average in his first year of
college.  He recently sent us a thank-you
letter in which he says that "my life changed" as a result of
your financial aid.
Erika Pimentel of Arraiján will take Yaneth's place as a recipient of
your financial aid. She's only 15, so hopefully we'll be
following her progress for many years.
Do you want these
students to finish school? Learn more about the program and donate now.
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PCPF Events and Fundraising
by Jaime Holland
Celebrating Dias Patrias
PCPF recently hosted DC volunteers at a "Viva Panama" fiesta
to celebrate November 8 Independence Day. Multiple generation of
volunteers took part in wearing their finest Panama gear and raffled
off a few bottles of Seco!
Check out photos from this event on the PCPF Facebook
page. Please join our group if you aren't yet a member!
Are you in the Washington DC area? If so let us know!
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Alumni Corner
 Hosting Panama
by Dottie Knoedler
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to host one of your
friends from Panama in the states? Well, we had an opportunity to do
just that in August of this year when Professora Luz (Luly) Martinez, a
very close and special friend when Roy and I lived in Agua Buena, Los
Santos, from 2004-2006 visited us in Boulder, Colorado. Luly is a
Professor of Education at the University of Panama in Chitre, and when
we were in our site she always made sure that we learned about the
history, as well as the culture, of Panama.
When Luly wrote and said she would like to come to visit us, we thought
a lot about what to show her. In the end, we decided that it would be
best to simply show her ordinary life in the U.S... just as we had
experienced ordinary life in Panama. We not only took her to the
grocery store, the mall, to visit family and friends, but also to the
University of Colorado where she met and talked with people in the
Department of Education in charge of International Programs. She loved
our public library, and was surprised at the number of book stores in
town. She enjoyed seeing the hanging baskets of flowers that are
abundant throughout Colorado in the summer.
Click here to read Dotties
full story!
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On the Blog - PCPF
on Facebook
by Sarah Schmidt
 Here is what RPCVs are talking about:
Whitney Trainor (RPCV
Panama '01-'04) recommends music - "maybe everyone already
knew about this?" Vol. 3 - Calypso Panameno, Guajira Jazz &
Cumbia Tipica On the Isthmus 1960-75 by Various Artists on iTunes.
Steve Spangler
(RPCV Panama '64-'66) shares - Panama Exhibit, October 14, 2009
- May 31, 2009. The Smithsonian has a special exhibition on Panama -
its unique geology and ecology and its cultural diversity and the
Panamanians' struggle to control the future of their isthmus.
 Kimberly Errigo
(RPCV Panama '94-'96) responds Justin Mortensen's article on
Job Hunting after Peace Corps, saying "I remember well how
challenging it was to re-integrate into work life after returning from
Panama. As I recall, I couldn't go to grocery stores because there were
too many choices."
Jerry Lutes (RPCV
Panama) writes, GARY ULRICH, a donor to the Bud Keith Fund,
remembers Bud in the Peace Corps: "Many good memories of Bud
coming to Nueva Gorgona, my village, to body surf, run on the sand and
escort me safely home from the cantina, a source of real amazement for
the people."
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La Vaina
 by Jerry Lutes
In the Latest:
- John Keffer
has returned to his community after 40 years and gets back to
work. Read his "Where the Rubber Meets the Road".
(Page 6.)
- Group 63 -
Welcome! (Page 34.)
- Peace Corps
Response. "So Much Easier the Second Time Around",
by Tess De los Ríos. (Page 35)
- Group 60,
"A Warm Farewell", by Dra. Lourdes Rodriguez (Page
37)
- Y mucho más
-
Read La Vaina
everyday!
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 Tú
Opinión
Feedback and Articles Ideas for El
Bochinche
Ideas for the Editor of El Bochinche
- Write an opinion
piece or article for El Bochinche.
- Promote a non-profit
you work for or support to PCPF members.
- Share an update about
yourself with Peace Corps Panama alumni.
- Publish photos on www.panamapcv.net or link to
an on-line photo album.
Email tú opinión
to: editorelbo@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading
El Bochinche.
Sincerely,
Sarah Schmidt
Peace Corps Panama Friends
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