Community Environmental Education Article

by Raisa

Hola Amigos y Amigas:

Espero que todos estén bien de salud mental y física. Un feliz y venturoso año 1999 para todos. Para los que terminan el servicio, muy buena suerte en sus planes futuros y para los que continúan en Panamá, les deseo un año lleno de realizaciones personales y profesionales. Gracias a todos por su buen trabajo. Y bienvenidos los nuevos aspirantes!

PCVC's: Reminded everyone about the quarterly reports. Thanks for your help. We said good-bye to Molly Crowe. Her time among the PC family made a difference.

Community Component: The Panama Verde camps started January 7 at the Parque Internacional La Amistad or PILA, in Cerro Punta, Chiriquí. Beautiful place and cool weather. The Kiwanis Club is going to sponsor the camps this year. Eric Doyle and Vidal Castillo, our LINCE counterpart explained to members of this Club all about the idea. Thanks to both.

Some Ideas being implemented: The Art and Nature Seminar is in a printed form by Angela Wang and Jamie Snyder. I have a copy at the office for those of you who would like to implement it.

I am putting together two boxes with environmental education materials in Spanish and English. The plan is to take them to the different seminars, meetings and during my visits to you, so that people who may want any book can take them. I finally cleaned-up the mess I had in my office (Yes folks, come and see!) and the good stuff will circulate as needed.

We need to train some Panamanians interested in marine issues, for the sustainability of the Marine Seminars. If you can find good people for this, contact Judy D'Amore or me.

The WID/GAD is a Volunteers' Committee to remind development workers to include all members of the household in the work they do, specially women and children. But not exclusive of men. We invite male Volunteers to participate in the Committee.

Training: - Promotores workshop at CEMARE, Farallón, Coclé from Jan. 17 to 22. Part of the TEEM information will be incorporated into this seminar.

Schedule: I'll be at the Promotores Seminar from Jan. 17 to 22. On the 23rd I'll be at Cerro Viejo at a meeting with PCVs working in indigenous areas. I'll be at the office Jan. 11-15, Jan. 25-29. At least one week in February I'll be visiting those future sites. I'll ask some of you to visit the communities. This will happen after the interviews with the Trainees.

Take care. Remember this is a political year, please exercise extra caution verbally and physically. And remember to notify the office any time you will sleep out of your site. Saludos,