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During the final week of June,
PC/Panama had visitors from Washington, the acting IAP
Regional Director, Maryann Minutillo and the Associate
Director for Volunteer Support, Steve Weinberg. Both
were here to meet with the PCMOs from the IAP region as Panama
was hosting that conference for 50 plus medical staff.
One of the activities for Steve and Maryann was to visit a volunteer's site. Karan and Willie Schreiber live about 2 1/2 hours east of Panama |
City beyond Lago Bayano in an Embera site just be fore the border to the Darien province. They had been planning the inauguration of their casa artesanal and chose to have the inauguration the day of the visit. It was a spectacular day. Most of us had not been privileged to see so many of the Embera in their traditional dress. The warmth the pcvs had for the community and the community had for the PCVs was very special to see and feel. June 2002 |
The women ready to greet us. They are painted in
jagua, have flowers woven in their hair and are dressed in traditional
dress.
Janice Jorgensen, the CD, and Maryann
Minutillo are greeted by Omayra, the dirigente of the community.
The men greet us with drums playing, in
traditional dress and also painted in jagua. Notice the marigolds
in the ears.
Emily, also from DC, heads into the Casa
Comunal for the inauguration ceremonies. The stairs were tricky.
Steve in native
dress... native US and
native Embera in the entrance to the Casa Artesanal prior to the formal
inauguration ceremonies.
Steve, Maryann and two of the former caciques in Ipeti in front of the stairs they have marked with an + on each step.
The PCVs,
PC/Panama staff, PC/W staff, and counterparts in front of the Casa
Artesanal.
The PCVs, PC/Panama staff, PC/W staff, and counterparts in front of the Casa Artesanal.
The front porch of the Casa Artesanal.
Inside Casa
Artesanal.
Inside Casa
Artesanal.
Inside Casa Artesanal.
Maryann
in her inauguration speech.
Omayra, the dirigente and present leader of the community inaugurating the Casa Artesanal.
Steve and Maryann speaking to PCVs and staff and friends in the Schreiber's house.
Janice dancing in her paruma.
Julian dancing.
Emily dancing.
The PCVs and Steve and Maryann.
Steve marking the stairs.
The children dressed for the occasion.
Ryan getting painted with jagua.
Tagua nut sleeping iguanas.
