Peace Corps Panama Friends

Super Small Project Assistance

Click on fotos for larger views. PCV Kerry Piper

Since receiving the SSPA grant, Kerry has translated key activities from Flying WILD to form a more complete picture of the most visible animals around. The guide begins with the basics of bird identification, moves into the adaptations birds have to survive, and ends with ways participants can help conserve their feathered friends.

With the grant, he was able to purchase materials to accompany each of the activities completing the environmental education kit to be used at birding festivals around the country. Students and participants have already enjoyed several of the activities.

Students in Cabecera de Cochea, Chiriquí used their imagination to create birds with a combination of their favorite adaptations to live a habitat of their choosing. They also learned about the food chain and the increased affect of pesticides on birds of prey through a game of tag.

An ecotourism group in El Cope, Coclé has expressed interest in a training workshop and then hosting a complete birding festival.

PCV Joanna Hitchner

The grant went to various art projects with a kids group of 15 kids ages 8-11. Materials were bought for art projects such as masks, chalk designs, paper weaving, paper cranes, princess dress drawing contest, and many more. The materials (glue, paper, scissors, etc.) are still being used for the weekly art class.

Throughout the classes the children have been challenged to think creatively and outside the box. They have thoroughly enjoyed the classes and have learned a lot about colors, shapes, and designs.

PCV Bhoj Rai

PCV CoCo Robinson

Last month CoCo taught Girl Scouts to use the Internet with the help of a VAC SSPA Grant. The grant paid for the girls' travel to and from the capital city and use of the Internet at an Internet cafe. Girls learned basic Internet navigation and how to use oogle and wikipedia to search for information online. Time was spent at the Internet cafe looking up information and photos for the culture presentations the Girl Scouts have been working on. Knowledge of how to navigate the web is a valuable skill for these girls, as it will help them complete school-related projects in the future and expand their knowledge.

PCV Jim Fraser

Class in Guacamayo and the community of Guacamayo.

The $40 SSPA grant from the VAC enabled Jim to travel out to the Peninsula Valiente and give classes on Family Planning, and prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in the communities of Guacamayo and Kusapin.

A portion of the grant will also go part of the way towards funding my transportation to 10 more communities in the Bocas del Toro archiapelego to do the same classes in communities affected by high rates of sexually transmitted diseases.

Elena Pahl

The $48 SSPA grant was used to help fund an accounting and Excel workshop, held February 16th in Parara Puru. Deborah Rockoff and the Secretary of Tourism, Rigoberto, led the workshop. Attending the workshop were the two secretary´s from tourism, as well as Emiliano Mepaquito and Alex Guatico from Elena’s community along with the president of tourism, Erito Barrigon.

The workshop was held in Parara Puru´s tourism office and both Deborah´s computer and Elena’s community computer were utilized. The participants practiced in-putting information, and learning how to use Excel as a tool for accounting. They now have started using the computer for meeting notes and are on the brink of starting to use it for payroll.