"Oh, to be a Venture Capitalist in Panamá"

by Jae Junkunc

Imagine sitting in your electricity-less hut with a solar-powered purple iMAC laptop. You just finished reading ¨Fast Times in Agua Buena¨ and the adrenalin is flowing. You log-on via satellite connection to www.ngabeartisana.com. That´s right. After celebrating its website´s one year anniversary, you´re checking out the stock price because as a ¨friend¨ of the company, you own shares in its IPO (Initial Public Offering for those who don´t read Business Week and only read that far-left-winged Newsweek). I´ve just set up a new dot-com company in a country that badly needs to get with the ages. It´s a little known cooperative in Quebrada de Loro. The women don´t know what Capital is but still raised $40 million for our operations thanks to Peace Corps Partnership program. I know what you´re thinking. A company has to have positive earnings to make it in today´s stock market (or you were thinking that this article may cure insomnia). We´re getting there. This is about future earnings, people. So what is ngabeartisana.com? It´s a web-based store. A future Amazon.com. We only have a small inventory and yes, there´s a backlog on back orders. We still have yet to set up our distribution centers and Fed Ex refuses to drive out to our community (just because the truck tipped over once in the mud doesn´t mean it will happen again). Currently, our distribution is centered at the David post office (but don´t let that discourage you from investing. I´m sure my Newsweeks are somewhere in there). We just tell customers that the shipment is in the mail. We don´t have the technology yet to cancel orders so we still have the customers´ money. And, the president doesn´t know what a Chief Executive Officer is but she´s one anyway, our Chief Operating Officer doesn´t understand Inventory Management (does anyone really?), and our Chief Financial Officer can´t spell profit margin. But we´re getting there. Anyway, looking at

Amazon.com´s books, they don´t know what inventory management or profit margin are either and they`re worth $17 billion. Do you know how much community development you can do with $17 billion?? Forget rural aquaduct, it´s private water tanks for everyone! So why would I set up my cooperative on-line? Why not??! Everyone´s on-line. You can create a website with a mere $25 kit. This is the ultimate community economic development or small business development or whatever we´re called. Twenty-five women, none making over $500 a year, are now billionaires. And we didn´t cut down any trees in the process, no animals were sacrificed (except the 5 chickens for the IPO party), and the rivers weren´t polluted. What better way to advance in today´s marketplace. Get rich quick and save the environment (see, Republicans can be good guys). This is my plan to develop a small business, or microbusiness, or whatever we´re called. First, the charla on what a computer is. See you in 10 years at my COS.

Peace Corps Project Criteria

The following is the list of Peace Corps criteria that will help you analyze your work and see if the project is meeting Peace Corps' goals and philosophy of sustainable development.

1) increases local capacity,

2) strives to address the expressed needs of those that have limited access to resources and opportunities,

3) seeks sustainable results that complement other development efforts,

4) has local participants as partners in developing , implementing, and assessing the project, considers gender relationships and promotes women's participation to increase their status and opportunities, places Volunteers where their skills are most needed,

5) does not displace qualified and available local workers with Volunteers,

6) uses the types and numbers of Volunteers that are consistent with available applicants,

7) has local Peace Corps staff and resources to train and support Volunteers to complete their assignments successfully, and

8) has host agencies and communities as partners who can support the project and the Volunteers.

Please take your time and give me your feedback.

Suggestions for estimating numbers

Following, you will find a guide to determine how many people may adopt the desired change as a result of the activity carried out.

Of participants who are trained:

80% will experience a change in knowledge

50% will experience a change in attitude

50% will develop new skills

5-20% will adopt a new behavior

Please keep these numbers in mind when you are evaluating the impact.

This information is taken from "How to design or revise a project" Booklet 2.

CED PCVs' Reports' Analysis

Most of the community microenterprises and entrepreneurs we work with, look for more training in costing and pricing than training in accounting systems. On the other hand, people engaged in income generating activities which are external want to expand the market for their product or service, and they want to develop skills to negotiate better prices for new raw materials they buy or the products they sell.

REMINDERS

Vacations

Vacation requests need to be in place three weeks in advance. Your reports need to be attached if you have not turned them in.

Safety Coordinators

If you are a Safety Coordinator and you are taking vacation, please make the necessary arrangements to be covered during your absence.

In addition, if you are a Safety Coordinator and you are ending your service, please talk to the office and coordinate who can take this important and valuable assignment.

Site Locator Form

Please be sure that your site locator form is updated, and let the office know any new contact person in site. We appreciate your collaboration.

SAFETY

OUT of Site? Can the office find you if your family needs to let you know something urgent?? Do you know the rules of the PC/Panamá "out of your site" policy? We have discovered that some PCVs have not let the office know when they are out of their sites.

You have 4 days per month to get your mail, medicine, personal activities, mental health, etc.. It can be any day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday.

If you leave your site during the day, you need to advise the contact person in your site (where you are and what time you'll be back).

If you plan to stay out of your site overnight, you are responsible for calling the office and leaving a message in the "Afuera del Sitio" buzon (800-2100) to let us know how to reach you should there be an emergency. Also, let your contact person in your site know.

Most of you are in accessible areas so we expect PC/Panamá to reach you within 24 hours.

La Vaina "May we do justice to the trees that died for these pages" August-September 2000

A Little Yoga

by Sara Allore

For all of those who could use a little more energy, or focus, or relaxation in your day, you might want to try the poses highlighted this month. Of course, yoga is conditioning for the body. But it is also conditioning for your mind. The "work" to be done in all poses is to achieve a balance between tension and relaxation in the mind and in the body. The goal is to have your mind steady and attentive, but soft enough to allow images and thoughts to flow through. You should feel your muscles working and elongating, but at the same time be able to breathe calmly and enjoy an overall sense of pleasure and feel the subtle energy-raising force that you are creating. If you are gritting your teeth or not breathing evenly, you need to take it a bit slower. Likewise, if your mind or body do not feel engaged, you need to increase your physical and/or mental output. Like anything else, it takes practice to build the mental and physical stamina required to practice yoga. But of course, the pleasure is in the journey. It's time to begin.

TADASANA(The Mountain) appears sideways

This is the most basic pose that all aspiring yogis must first master. When in the pose, one may appear to be simply standing, but this is far from the truth. The body and the mind are working in a very concise and focused manner.

TO EXECUTE: Stand straight and face forward, focusing on the alignment of the feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and head. Put your feet together (big toes and inner arches touching). An important part of this pose is the security of the base of your body, the "mountain." You should try to make your feet as big as possible by spreading all your toes and extending your arches. Tuck your pelvis under and lift your rib cage (but don't stick your stomach out). Your shoulder blades should be pulled back as your arms relax at your sides. Extend your neck from your sternum, but relax your shoulders. Your chin, however, should be parallel to the floor. Relax your facial features, keep your eyelids soft, and breath

VRKSASANA (The Tree) appears sideways

slowly and methodically for 45 seconds or so. After standing in The Mountain, firm up your left leg (increasing foot base) and tightening left leg muscles. Your left foot and knee should be pointing exactly forward. Slowly bring your right foot up to your right hand and use your hand to guide the right foot to your left inner thigh. Your heel should be placed snugly in your groin area with your toes pointing downward. Point your right knee out away from you, directly to the side. With your hips facing center, open up through the waist. Lift your chest (but maintain a straight body line) and lift your arms above your head. Put your palms together and relax your shoulders. Soften your eyelids and other facial features. Breath regularly and hold for about 30 seconds. Repeat with other leg. With practice, this pose should feel as sturdy as The Mountain. HINT: Contract your left buttock while tucking it under for a sturdier base.

Los Días y Las Noches en Las Sombras

por Chime

Andaremos en las sombras...Ande conmigo...Ande conmigo...

Queensryche 1985

Una vez durante aquel reinado de Queensryche me encontré abrigado en la intemperie por una lonita que estaba amarrado a dos abetos torcidos y varias piedras. La lona estaba en la orilla de un prado de tierra alta y encima de un barranco de 600 metros o más. El viento jugaba con la lona y zumbó las cuerdas mientras que yo miraba hacia el oeste y hacia abajo. El corazón de una tormenta ya habia pasado arriba de mi y ahora azotaba a los cerritos de abajo. Desde mi posición ventajosa, la mezcla de neblina, rayos, y cerritos de pinos parecía una caldera hirviente de guisado con ráfagas del olor agradable de pino y enebro pasando por mi nariz. Pronto la tormenta se calmo a fuego lento y la puesta de sol agregó varios colores al guisado.

Aquella tarde en el prado y aquella cancion de Queensryche fueron recordadas tras los años, porque ahora me encuentro en un medio ambiente semejante. El lugar es diferente, las faldas del Cerro Tolica. El abrigo es diferente, una casa de quinche con techo de zinc. Sin embargo, la puerta de la casa está en una posicion ventajosa para mirar el guisado de cerros, nubes, rayos, ríos, quebradas, lluvias, y crepusculo que hierve en mis alrededores.

Cada día hay un nuevo guisado, pero les comento que a menudo me parece otra cosa excepto un guisado. Por ejemplo, las lluvias de invierno muchas veces me parecen una furia precipitada de bestias grises huyendo desde la cordillera en el norte hacia el sur. El rugído de los cascos advierte la llegada inminiente del frente de la furia. Y cuando llega que bulla hacen los cascos! Pra! Los rayos se desprenden de la alta energia de la furia. El aire parte violentamente por los rayos tronando y sacudiendo la tierra. Hay tanta bulla que no se distinguen los rugídos. Cuando el corazón de la furia ya ha pasado se puede oir dos rugídos distintos, la quebrada cerca de la casa y el río allí abajo. Son dos corrientes chocolates llevándose los dulces de la tierra para un lugar ajeno.

A veces Cerro Tolica nos ampara contra la furia precipitada. Tolica flanquea a la furia y la dirige por el Río Vigui dejándonos a salvo. Otras ocasiones Tolica nos oculta la verdad de una furia inevitable. Asi que de repente la furia brinca por encima de Tolica y nos sorprende sin abrigo. Cuando eso pasa nos deja bien empapaditos con muchas corrientes chocolates para cruzar. Y hay que tener cuidado que las corrientes no nos lleve como otro dulce de la tierra.

Desafortunadamente, a pesar de los buenos esfuerzos de Cerro Tolica, muchas furias precipitadas pasan por encima de nosotros hasta que no aguantemos una más. Entonces viene el alivio en la forma de las nevadas de Octubre y Noviembre. Las gotitas de lluvia caen tan suavemente y ligeramente como si fueran, copos de nieve. También pegan al pelo y a la ropa y derriten como si fueran, copos de nieve. Ademas, la tranquilidad y la paz reinan durante las nevadas de aca como si fueran, nevadas de mi tierra natal. Las nevadas me tentan a vagar por cerros y quebradas para maravillarme con la naturaleza en su manta fría. Y que frío hace! Paso dias y noches bebiendo té y café. A veces me pongo una chaqueta y me acaloro con fricción. No dependo del sol para el calor porque no lo veo por dias. Por lo tanto, el tiempo me engaña a creer que el "Halloween" sea la navidad. Espero ver gente andando por todas las casas al cantar himnos navideños en vez de pedir confítes.

Paulatinamente, el engaño y las nevadas se desvanecen y nos regalan el sol y un juego de ajedrez para la navidad verdadera. El juego de ajedrez tiene lugar cada dia en el cielo de verano. Los ajedrecístas son la sequía y el agua de montaña. No podemos ver las piezas de la sequía, pero podemos adivinar su colocación, si estudiamos la estrategía y colocación de su contrario. Las piezas del agua de montaña son las nubes que arrancan desde la cordillera. Usualmente, la sequía gana al agua de montaña, pero hay días cuando el agua hace incursiónes significantes en el territorio de la sequía. A mi me gusta gritar alentando al perdido y quiero gritar con todo cuando el agua hace una incursión, pero uno no debe gritar durante un juego de ajedrez. Así que me sonrio y ando alegremente cuando el agua hace una incursión arriba de mi. Desafortunadamente, hay muchos días sin alegríay la esperanza llega a ser desilusión. Maldecimos al

La Vaina "May we do justice to the trees that died for these pages" August-September 2000

agua de montaña por provocarnos con insultos de esperanza.

Cuando no aguantemos mas desilusión aparecen aguaceros en el sur para burlarse de nuestra situación. Los aguaceros se forman en la tarde tan cercano, que casi los tocamos con las manos, pero se transforman al anochecer. Entonces la gran pantalla de la noche nos revela una funcion de títeres (Jim Henson está en el cielo) donde había aguaceros. Allí en la pantalla grandísima aparecen títeres de iluminación revelados por ráfagas de luz. Los títeres vuelven a la vida y hablan su idioma atronador. A menudo la función se acerca o se desplaza para un lado cambiando su punto de vista. El espectáculo es muy impresionante, si el espectador tiene una vista generosa. A veces me quedo despierto mirando las escenas más dramáticas. Finalmente, vuelvo a dormir y a soñar con títeres de iluminación que brotaron de aguaceros.

Al día siguiente cuando me levanto veo que enfrentamos la misma situación de ayer. O peor? Hay agua de montaña en el norte, aguaceros en el sur, y un mar de nubes formándose arriba de nosotros. Por la mañana las nubes grandes nos devuelven la esperanza de lluvia solo para que nos la quiten en la tarde. Con una brisita, el mar de nubes incia a partir arriba de nosotros para dejarnos en sequía. Me parecía que Moisés "extendió su mano sobre el mar y Yahveh hizo soplar ... un fuerte viento que secó el mar y se dividieron las aguas... Y las aguas formaban muralla a la derecha e izquierda."

Lo que hizo Moisés está bueno para los viajeros como los israelitas, pero perjudica a los agricultores de acá. Las siembras que tienen no aguantan tanto verano ni las brisas que a veces pegan fuertes. Cada año hay unos veranitos que dañan o atrasan las cosechas. Si los agricultores no tienen comida, como pueden ser viajeros para aprovechar el buen tiempo. No pueden depender de las algas de tierra (el maná milagroso) como los compañeros de Moisés. Aquí las algas de tierra solo hacen los caminos más lisos y por consiguiente más peligrosos.

Así que cada día fijamos la mirada hacia la cordillera y rezamos que no venga la brisa norteña. Después de unos días con la mirada fija me dí cuenta que la cordillera nos gobierna el tiempo. O mejor dicho la cordillera nos sombrea y nos deja las lluvias al entrar a nuestra región. Casi siempre nuestro tiempo proviene desde el mar Caribe en el norte. Entonces los cerros altos de la cordillera proyectan sombras de sequedad hacia el sur del mismo modo que las hojas de un árbol proyectan sombras de oscuridad debajo del árbol. Por eso, pasamos los días y las noches en las sombras como un espectador frecuente de lluvia ajena. A veces, codiciamos lluvia ajena, pero usualmente nos maravillamos con el espectáculo, el guisado que hierve en nuestros alrededores.

De vez en cuando, el guisado toma una forma nuevecita para dar gusto al espectáculo. Recientemente, los aguaceros del sur tienen mucha energía y se transforman en un camión en la noche en vez de una función de títeres. El camión arranca con alta velocidad en el sur rumbo al nordeste y a la cordillera. Por su trayectoria, el camión sube y baja muchas lomitas. Con cada subida, veo los faro brillantes como un relámpago de noche. Finalmente, llega a los barrancos de la cordillera y estalla contra la cordillera porque no puede subir una pendiente tan empinada. La explosión levanta una nube alta que destella frecuentemente. También la explosión derrama escombros de lluvia por las sombras de la cordillera. Por fin, hay lluvia en las sombras. Gracias al estallido! Gracias a Dios! Por fin, hay lluvia en las sombras!

La Vaina "May we do justice to the trees that died for these pages" August-September 2000

Vaina Quotes

" It's like looking into the sun...you just can't do that"

- Mark

"I know, I tried. I just couldn't help it."

- Benjamin talking about the waitress's breasts at Bennigans

"OH NO! There's TWO of them"

- Jessica Lewis on the revelation that Joel has a twin

"I wasn't the only one running around with the naked white boys"

- Princess on Tranquility of the Pacific

"I had to look at the one with the hands on it"

- Jessica's excuse for being slow telling the time

"We didn't try to look. He was just running around naked"

- Lisa on unconfirmed reports of shrinkage

"I'm looking at boobs tonight. I don't care." - Mark reacting to the fact that his girl won' t visit his site.

No, aqui no tenemos problemas con la basura, tiramos las botellas y latas en la quebrada y cuando el agua crece, se las lleva. A proud Machuqueñan on "Clean Machuca" day in response to Jessica L.'s question about how the clean-up was coming.

La Vaina lavaina@PCPFpa.peacecorps.gov August-September 2000
(Note: To use email address, remove "PCPF" .)

Agroforestry News

by Joe Torres

I finally returned from the halls of Washington DC! Peace Corps training on how to be an APCD went OK-picked up a few tips and made some great contacts with other APCDs. I am now in the process of confirming new sites for the September training group-we will be receiving 7 trainees in the Agroforestry Project this time. Tentative sites are: Pueblo Nuevo and Puerto Lara in the Darien, Playon Chico and Mulatupo in San Blas, Portobello, Union de Pina, and El Guabo in Colon. Next cycle will focus on Bocas, Veraguas, Herrera areas.

Also participating in "encuentros" during August and September (Tonya and Brandon-pastos, Julia-rice tanks 9/4, and Sara-viveros 9/15).

We are in the process of rewriting our Agroforestry Project Plan to fit the new PC format. This is an opportunity for us to review our project purpose, goals, objectives, and monitoring plan (including the informes). This will be a participitory process including PCV, community partners (new terminology for community counterparts), and HCN government counterparts. During the IST the last week of August, those participating PCVs and community partners will work on the Project Review on August 30th. On August 31st and Sept. 1st, PC/Panama will host a Project Review workshop with government counterparts (national level) and some PCVs (James Potts, Mark Eastburn, Eddy Gonzalez and Melissa). I hope to get more input on the project review from the rest of you and your counterparts during the Promotor Workshop (Sept. 8 and 9th) and at the Planatation Management Workshop (Sept. 25-27). So please review the existing Project Plan (with a focus on Purpose, Goals, objects, and monitoring) to be better prepared to provide input. Thanks.

KEY WORKSHOPS-

- Sept.7, 8 and 9th. PROMOTOR WORKSHOP in Rio Congo. Arrive Sept. 7 by 5PM, leave Sept. 9 in afternoon. This workshop is for all agforestry groups up , but not including the Jan. 00 group. You can bring up to 2 community counterparts each. The workshop will focus on organic vegetable gardening, IPM, selecting, and harvesting, and drying vegetable seeds. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING. I will assume you are attending if I don't hear from you.

-Sept. 25-27. Plantation Management and Native Trees species workshop AT CEMARE in Rio Hato. Arrive for lunch on Sept 25th and leave morning of Sept. 28th. This workshop is for those that are interested or working on plantation establishment and viveros. So far I have Tonya, Zac, Ed, Mark, Tia, Chris K, April, Phil, and Ben and Clair from EE. You can bring 1 counterpart (community or government). PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP by end of August IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING. This workshop is open to any of the agroforestry groups and others working with trees.

For those of you that I have not received a site visit from me, please contact me to set up a date for a site visit. I should have some time in Sept. and Oct. but please schedule fast as days are filling up quickly.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONTACT ME ON A MONDAY AT THE OFFICE AT LEAST ONCE/MONTH TO CHECK IN. HAVE THE RECEPTIONIST PAGE ME IF I AM NOT AT MY DESK. If you leave a message on my extension (114), please let me know how I can get back in touch with you that day. Thanks to those few that have kept in touch often, and I am looking forward to hearing from the rest of you.

I have obtained some technical literature from CATIE, PC/Wash, and other sources on agroforestry, medicinal plants, and such. Next time you are in the office, stop by my office to review this stuff. You could sign out the books if interested. I also have been issuing out soil testing kits to be shared among all agfor.

La Vaina "May we do justice to the trees that died for these pages" August-September 2000

PCVs. Each kit is good for 10 tests so if each PCV does 3 tests we should have enough for everyone. Contact me if interested.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBMIT YOUR BIMONTHLY INFORMES ON TIME-1 copy to me and another to MIDA and ANAM. These are extremely important to provide feedback on how the project is doing- it is our main monitoring tool for Peace Corps and Government counterpart agencies. For the newer groups that may not understand the informe form, please contact me ASAP for more information. The next informe due is for July and August. Remember, vacation will not be approved without up to date informs.

Lastly, but most important, please give a warm welcome to our new Agroforesty PVCs who swore in on July 28th. Congratulations! La Jean Sedlacek is in San Antonio, Cocle, Jeffrey Hoelle is in Nance, Bocas del Toro, Bruce Pahl is in Tole replacing Rick at the Granja, Shani Cummins is in El Naranjal, Veraguas, Phil Bergsrud is in Mato Palo, Cocle, and David Pyle is in Quebrada Tula, Bocas del Toro (I hope!). We are saying goodbye to Rick Kaye and Dawn Jones who are leaving mid August. Both have done an outstanding job in there 2 + years with Peace Corps/Panama.

Thanks for your patience during the last month while Erika and I were out. Keep in touch, be safe, and most of all have fun! Joe