• East Timor will be a new addition to the IAP region beginning in May.
• Peace Corps is looking at Crisis Corps options in Pakistan, Afghanistan. Safety assessments are being made to determine how and when Peace Corps could enter.
• Over 400 trainees were delayed by the 9/11 events.

• Just a reminder that the Permaculture project evaluation is still on. Paula Bilinsky of the CENTER PC Washington will be coming to Panama on April 14th to conduct the evaluation. The evaluation will focus on quality of the program and how to improve-it should be implemented informally and honestly. Franklin Cano and Yoko will be traveling with Paula during the whole evaluation. I'll join up after the COS conference on the 19th in Penenome. I've sent out the evaluation schedule of which communities will be visited ( Playon Chico-16th, Ipeti Kuna and Agua Fria-17th, Lara-18th, Entendero, Penenome MIDA and ANAM-19th, Huacas and La Yaguada-20, Espino Amarillio and El Cedro-21, Buenos Aires, El Tigre-22, Norteno, Corridor biologico-23, Cerro Miguel-24, Permaculture Conference -25-26.
   

• Permaculture Conference: remember arrive the night of April 24th, goes through breakfast 27th. Please bring a case study to share, an article on permaculture, your informes for Feb/March (and past informes for those that haven't gotten them in), and lots of energy and enthusiasm.
   

• Future workshops being planned: We have put in a farmer to farmer request for beekeeping workshops (if approved-in July), FtF for Butterfly farm specific for La Rica, and PCVs are preparing CENTER requests for appropriate technology workshops, medicinal plant sharing workshop....Please keep in touch with your local MIDA office to find out what workshops they have to offer. Remember that May 20th is the deadline for CENTER requests which could be used in August and Sept.
   

• We are in the process of finalizing a renewed convenio with MIDA, a new agreement with Triple C, and new agreements with the Naso and Kuna.
   

• May training group and sites-Permaculture should receive 8 trainees for the May group. Potential sites are Boca Lara,Quebrada Tula, Altos de la Estancia Cocle, Palmar Abajo Cocle, Barrigon Cocle,Las Gaitas Panama Este, San Pedro Ricon-Veraguas, Tole Chirqui.
   

• PCV leader and Ag. Technical Coordinators: Yoko has taken over as of April 1^st the PCV leader position replacing Sarah. She will be living outside of Penenome, Cocle. Beth Sanchez and Bradon will be working as Ag. Tech. Coordinators helping all PCVs in Ag work. We need to discuss this position during the Conference to determine how best to split responsibilities and be effective in technical info. distribution. Please coordinate directly with them for your needs.
   

• The new group of trainees swear in on April 5th. For those in the Bocas, Chiriqui, Veraguas and Cocle areas, please welcome the new PCVs and provide some moral support and tips.
   
• Joe's Calender:April 10-12 Rio Hondo Zach site visit, April 15 and 16th-evaluation in office, 17-19th-COS conference, 19-30 Project Evaluation. May 3-Oria Lisa site visit, 7-Rob Kline site visit, 8-Jared site visit, 13- May trainee group arrives office, 16-Kelly site visit, 23-Jessie site visit, 24th-Demi site visit. Monday's in the office but afternoon's busy with staff meetings. The other days are yet to be filled in with confirming new sites and site visits.

Please remember to send me your schedules for work out of your site- send either by phone, email or in person. Work out of your site needs to be approved by the APCD before hand.. If it is just for the day, Maria Elena could approve it, overnight needs APCD approval. Thanks for your cooperation on this. Take care and enjoy the sun and lack of mud while you can.

Joe Torres

As we begin a new month, much has happened since the last Vaina article. First and foremost, as previously mentioned at the CED Conference, the OST (Overseas Staff Training) in Washington was a great. It provided for an opportunity to meet with other Peace Corps staff from around the globe and to exchange perspectives and approaches to development within the PC context. Some of the highlights included meeting with HQ staff from the center, wid/gad, recruiters, placement officers, program specialists, crisis corps, rpcv’s, security specialist, volunteer services, general counsel, and the list goes on. I really enjoyed listening to Sgt. Shriver, the first PC/Director apporinted by Pres. Kennedy and also meeting briefly our new Peace Corps director, Gaddi Vasquez. I think that putting a face to a name(s) in Washington was great, as it really help in seeing how we are all part of a global network working towards improving people’s lives in so many ways.

All in all, as the plane was landing at Tocumen Airport, I reflected on what a great country Panama is to be as a Peace Corps volunteer or APCD. As I spoke with other APCD’s, I felt we here in Panama have several things that help us in our work, thinking comparatively on a globally global scale: We have a steady currency, our country is very easy to travel within, we have a diverse yet relatively marked climate/seasons, we have English, Spanish and other Indigenous languages, but not 15 or 20 languages, most volunteers will get to meet each other over the two years, travel out of country is very accessible, international travel the same, Americans (and other nationalities) are generally known and accepted, the weather is generally warm/hot, we have excellent access to communication, Peace Corps has some history here and there are others. In addition, there exists a need that we as Peace Corps Volunteers and staff are addressing and always trying to do a better job at.

Our CED conference was well attended and thanks for all the feedback. It was great having such a get together and I think everyone learned something new. Recent IST’s were also well attended and there was some good exchanges related to your role as PCV’s in development.

As you know, Tom is criss crossing the country working on site development, as several of you who have helped out on that, a big THANK YOU. We will continue calling on you for support on that. Our conference addressed the issues of looking closer at our program goals and objectives over the next year and preparing for a program evaluation for the year 2003, tentatively. Also, we are looking at forming closer ties with National, Regional and local organizations from the private, governmental and non-governmental sectors for greater collaboration and support for the work we are doing in communities. We will be receiving our new PCT’s May 13^th, and as it stands now there are a possible 9 coming, with another 8 in September. This is a great time for you to submit new potential sites or possible re-assignments for PCV’s exiting sites in the next year. In our last quarter, we had ALL of our PCV’s submit their quarterly reports, please keep it up. Just a reminder, we will be needing support on the 2002 PSR for October. Also, we need support in pulling together the May 20^th (week of) Empowerment Session at El Gran David in Santiago. Those who volunteered to help, lets get together on this. Recently I put out the word for you to submit the following:

-Quarterly reports

-Community Assessment

-Contact lists (NGO, GOV’T, NGO)

-Potential sites

-3 Months work plans

I know these are tough, your effort is appreciated. Again, a general guide and approximate dates are needed, at least for the current month as to when you will be in your site or working outside of your site.

For this month, my schedule will be as follows:

For this month, my schedule will be as follows:

A topic that comes up again and again in development is ‘sustainability’ and ‘capacity building’.

This is an on-going focus of many organizations world wide, but one that we here at Peace Corps have truly a golden opportunity. Often, this becomes a philosophical topic for discussion and sometimes questioned by those outside of development. But, as you are working within your communities and with the people who have lived there and more likely continue living there for some time to come, there is much to say to the impact you are having and can have as volunteers.

With a two year assignment, volunteers have the advantage of really getting to know your communities, as you become part of it. It gives you a well balanced and thought out perspective and balanced approach to supporting your communities in the best way possible. This takes time, but again, good listening and observation skills come in handy. I recall sitting in on a workshop at Oxfam Canada, listening to a veteran in the field of development. She recounted how when she first got involved in development, she felt she had all the answers and quick fixes for communities in third world countries. Thirty years later, as the world continues to change, she expressed how she had less answers than before. When I first heard this, I thought it was a bit odd, coming from someone with so much exposure and experience. But with some reflection, I felt that maybe, having seen so much, all of this experience taught her that there are no easy, quick solutions to development issues, but some of the best results come from studying out the problem and seeing diverse ways of addressing those issues, with a short, medium and long term perspective. Also, many times , the solutions don’t come from one person, but several people coming together on issues, shared responsibility, etc. As others who have worked overseas in the development field will confirm, its not an easy job, but very rewarding. There are always leasons to be learned and it never stops.

For this reason, there is some correlation to one’s well being and ability to navigate in this setting and work in your sites day in and day out. It varies from person to person, but on a more personal note, overseas work always includes the need to learn to deal with the stress brought on by changes in : Home, Friends, new tasks related to your new Job and the overall cultural environment. Culture shock or cultural fatigue is often the term used to describe the stress brought on by all these changes. Even when integration seems complete, these issues manifest themselves in different ways and anxiety may become part of everyday life for a time. Homesickness, boredom, withdrawal, loss of appetite, irritability, hostility towards nationals, loss of ability to work effectively, family tensions and conflicts in relationships, stereotyping of host nationals, and others may be symptoms of having reached a crisis stage in varying degrees.

Now, how do you deal with cultural fatigue? According to Jean-Marc Hachey, author of ‘The Canadian Guide to Living and Working Overseas’, here are some pointers:

• Participation: Go out and socialize with the locals, learn as much as you can about the local community and country
• Tolerance: Stop over-examining the local people’s behaviors and habits.
• Language: No one really cares if your grammar and pronunciation is perfect. Your efforts will be appreciated and you’ll feel less like an outsider
• Find a sympathetic host country national: Make friends who really know their community or country
• Gather information: Never lose curiosity. It will give you insight into why people are the way they are. An interest in the history, geography, politics, religion and cultural norms will help you adjust to your new environment
• Take a break: Treat yourself to your day(s) off, bake a pie, take a long hot bath, do something just for yourself
• Maintain contact with family and friends back home: Write (or email) about your experiences and problem. Writing about this can help you deal with them.

Now, you may wonder, why is Enoc writing about this in the CED article? Having experienced some of these things while overseas, they were helpful to re-read and to re-focus, even after having worked in different countries and capacities. For some of you, these may be non-issues, but may be helpful when providing support for your fellow PCV’s. There is great information on working and living overseas on the web, let me know if you would like some more information.

Vamos a hablarles un poco sobre este tema para ayudarles a poder detectar casos en su comunidad y así puedan guiarlos a salir del problema.

La desnutrición puede ser consecuencia de varios factores:

• Alimentación inadecuada
• Absorción defectuosa de los alimentos
• Escasez de alimentos
• Malos hábitos dietéticos
• Gustos caprichosos
• Factores emocionales
• Anormalidades metabólicas

La desnutrición ligera puede pasar inadvertida, así como la desnutrición grave es bastante evidente.

Todos los niños sospechosos de desnutrición deben ser evaluados por un médico, hacerles pruebas especiales de laboratorio, evaluación de sus medidas de talla y peso para que se pueda llegar a un diagnóstico adecuado.

Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes de la desnutrición son:

• Fatiga
• Lasitud
• Inquietud
• Nerviosismo
• Estreñimiento en ninõs pequeños
• Diarrea mucoide en niños grandes

Los desnutridos son más sensibles a las infecciones gástricas y respiratorias, su desarrollo muscular es deficiente así como el tono muscular lo que hace que los niños adquieren una posición denominada fatiga postural con hombros redondeados, torax plano y abdomen prominente. Generalmente tienen una expresión de fatiga con rostro pálido, piel como "barrosa" y los ojos sin brillos. En niños mayores se nota un retraso de la pubertad.

El tratamiento de esta enfermedad tiene que ir dirigido a corregir los trastonos tanto físicos como psicológicos.

En Panamá el índice mayor de desnutrición infantile está en las comunidades indígenas.

Volunteer group 01-01 (#44), please remember to make your Mid-Term Medicals evaluation appointment. You can call Lina during office hours to schedule. Remember to schedule it to start on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between the last days of March and mid April.

The tests are:

3 stool tests, dental evaluation and PPD (TB test). All female PCVs remember to schedule it out of your period since you need a PAP Smear as well.

We need Beth Sánches and Kelli McCall to call Lina at the office.

Boosters: We need you to contact the Medical Office whenever you come to the city:

Zachary McNish, Sherry Anderson, Bonifacio Artigas, David Pyle, Kathleen Fox, Amy Halvorsen, Kelli McCall, Lena Pollastro, Sally Mincks, Nadia Barrera.

(Please don’t come just for this, as viáticos will not be paid)

At the end of January 2002, the death of a three-month-old infant was reported in the community of Kankintú, in the Ngobe-Buglé Comarca, compatible with whooping cough. After investigation by the Health Department on January 26^th and 27^th two cases were studied and 160 persons were evaluated and vaccinated.

This year, 2002, we have had five suspicious cases of whooping cough reported:

four in the Metro area (Pedregal, Río Abajo, Curundú and Tocumen) and one in Panamá Oeste (Chorrera). The patient from Río Abajo died and the one in Bordetella was isolated. Area vaccination was carried out. In 2001 there were seven clinically confirmed cases: five in Ngobe-Buglé comarca, one in Veraguas and one in Colón.

Whooping cough is a sickness caused by a Gram Negative bacteria called BORDETELLA PERTUSIS, and is predominant in infants under two years of age and transmitted by respiratory droplets. Adults may be an important reservoir of infection for children, which is why any adult with significant exposure to pertusis should receive prophylaxis treatment. Incubation period is 7-17 days. The symptoms of the classic pertusis last about six weeks and are divided into three consecutive stages.

1. Catarrhal stage characterized by its insidious onset, with lacrimation, sneezing, and coryza, anorexia and malaise and a hacking night cough that tends to become diurnal.
2. The paroxysmal stage is characterized by bursts of rapid, consecutive coughs followed by a deep, high-pitched inhalation (whoop).
3. The convalescent stage usually begins four weeks after the onset of the illness with a decrease in the frequency and severity of paroxysms of cough.

This is a totally preventable sickness, since we have DPT vaccine for all infants. The failure is to not take infants for their active immunization. These cases are seen more in the indigenous population. In regards to Peace Corps Volunteers, we have never had a case. Most of you come with your vaccines up to date……….or you know………..Willy catches you!!!!

Entre la línea que divide lo religioso y lo pagano, existe un conjunto de costumbres que representan las tradiciones populares.

En Semana santa, estas prácticas se traducen en la compra de esencias y hierbas que, de acuerdo con la creencia popular; sirven para traer la buena suerte.

En Calidonia los buhoneros se alistan desde comienzos de La Semana Santa para surtir a sus clientes con estos productos.

Florencia Domínguez es una de los vendedoras ambulantes que se surtió de más de diez tipos de esencias en el Barrio Chino, donde las venden al por mayor, para luego revenderlos en su puesto.

Semana Santa y Año Nuevo son las dos mejores épocas de venta para Florencia.

Sándalo rojo, mirra, incienso y canela son algunas de las esencias que Florencia vende a 25 centavos la cucharada.

Una cliente se acerca y compra el paquete de los 7 inciensos, para "sahumar la casa y quitar las cosas malas".

Al cruzar la calle desde el puesto de Florencio, cerca del Mercadito de Calidonia, Maribel vende las hierbas que se utilizan para "limpiar" la casa, es decir, para ahuyentar la mala suerte. La ruda es la más popular. Maribel explica que con ella hacen un té que se bebe a las 12 :00 pm del Jueves Santo.

Por 50 centavos, se puede comprar una opción más completa: el ramo de las 7 hierbas que son albahaca morada, pachulí, ruda, albahaca fina, menta, hinojo y la ruda. Pero para la señora Paterson, La Semana Santa es la oportunidad para mantener viva una tradición afroantillana el "Bom".

Durante todo el año, la señora Paterson conserva las frutas que utiliza para cocinar los dulces afoantillanos que vende sólo durante esta semana.

Una cliente se acerca mientras ella le explica para que sirve cada una de ellas. "Démelas todas", le pide la clienta.

El panameño sigue la tradición. Entre Jueves y Viernes Santo, la carne y el pollo no se pone en la mesa. Muchos prefieren los productos del mar, con lo cual ayudan un poco a cientos de panameños que se dedican a la venta de pescado en el Terraplen, ubicado en San Felipe.

Como es tradicional en Panamá, la celebración de La Semana Santa es aprovechada por miles de panameños para reunirse y pasar un largo fin de semana cos sus familiares en el interior del país. Hay quienes se dirigen a la comunidad de Arraiján para ver la Pasión de Jesucristo en vivo.

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