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Showing posts from February, 2016

Following the Road Less Traveled: Video of a Salt River in Panama

Beautiful Poor Authentic Exploring is an essential part of my being. Seeing new things, new people, new places, opens my eyes to the vast beauty of this world. I am awestruck by the joy in the poverty that I see. I am mesmerized by the vitality, by the warmth, and by the tangible realness of what I see. Every day is an adventure here in Panama.  I hope you enjoy sharing this one. Following the road less traveled, laura Please check out our FULL WEBSITE at www.PovertyProjectInternational.com Connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/povertyprojectinternational/ If you want to chat, you can email us at povertyprojectinternational@gmail.com Or if you want to help us out and DONATE, you can go to PAYPAL and send your donation to   povertyprojectinternational@gmail.com All donations are tax deductible. Live is an adventure, Live it!

Josibeth: Sharing French Fries, Math, and Paper Hearts

This is Josibeth. She lives in Almirante, the non-tourist, non-gringo, very authentic Panamanian town on the mainland.  Her mother makes beaded bracelets and necklaces and Josibeth helps her sell them on the tourist island of Colon, the island where Bocas town is located. Josibeth sold me a little black bead bracelet the other day. She also wrote her name for me and did some math at the table where I was sitting at my little favorite everyone-shares-their-tables restaurant. She is a regular there. She comes skipping in with a big smile and a few trinkets in her hand and sits down at my table (or someone else's). She doesn't speak any English, but most people here (even the Gringos) speak enough Spanish to carry on a little conversation with her. She usually gets a plate of fries or chicken fingers from some compassionate soul, and even if she doesn't make a sale, she gets lots of attention and has fun! People usually think that helping the poor is some grandi

Following My Joy Down A Tidal River in Panama

A trip down the tidal river through the town of Almirante on Panama's northern Caribbean coast gave us the chance to see another part of this country first hand. There is something about these places that draws me. This is not a tourist place. In fact, I didn't see a single "gringo" I am comfortable here. I find it breathtakingly beautiful. Sometimes there are heart things you just cannot explain. Following My Joy,  Laura Please check out our FULL WEBSITE at www.PovertyProjectInternational.com Connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/povertyprojectinternational/ If you want to chat, you can email us at povertyprojectinternational@gmail.com Or if you want to help us out and DONATE, you can go to PAYPAL and send your donation to   povertyprojectinternational@gmail.com All donations are tax deductible. Live is an adventure, Live it!

Fire! In a Village With No Roads in, Only Wooden Plank Bridges

We spent the morning walking through La Solution--a village literally built over a marsh in Panama where we are doing what we can to help a sick orphan boy and his little brother. After taping the video in my last post, we went back into Bocas town (just a few blocks away) and had lunch at our favorite hang out. When we finished and walked back out into the street, we saw a huge billowing cloud of very black smoke rising out of La Solution. Along with what felt like nearly everyone in town, we ran to see what was happening and how we could help. Four houses burned. I don't think anyone was hurt, but I don't have all the facts yet. Lee helped the guys bring the hose from the only place you can park down through the wooden planks and to the burning houses. People were scrambling to get their belongings out of their homes since all the houses are built of wood (and cardboard) and are literally attached to each other by simple bridges. I didn't get too close to the fi

A Village Without Land in Panama...VIDEO

We finally made it back to Ubaldino's neighborhood. This is really the poorest place I have ever seen. We want to help. And seeing these kind of conditions can be so overwhelming because you know  there is so little you can do. That is when I go back to that idea that it all starts with the one in front of you. Just do what you can when you can. It will never be enough, but it will make a difference. PLEASE help us make a difference. Loving these lovely ones, laura Please check out our FULL WEBSITE at www.PovertyProjectInternational.com Connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/povertyprojectinternational/ If you want to chat, you can email us at povertyprojectinternational@gmail.com Or if you want to help us out and DONATE, you can go to PAYPAL and send your donation to   povertyprojectinternational@gmail.com All donations are tax deductible. Live is an adventure, Live it!

UPDATE on Ulbadino -- a town without land

PICTURES WILL BE COMING IN THE NEXT POST..... I went to the home of the 20 year old boy with sores all over his body. I had to cross wood-plank bridges from home to home. There is no land, only stinking marsh. I had to walk through peoples homes where you could see through the floors to the muck below and in some cases you had to avoid falling through the holes in the floor. A dark haired girl in a starched white dress played on the narrow bridge between her house and the next. Chicken lived in people's living rooms. Ulbadino has no furniture but a bed. There are no blankets on the bed. The rain rains inside. Part of the wall is cardboard. There is no sink. There is no fridge. There was a box of corn flakes, some powdered milk, and a few green bananas to eat. Ulbadino's 10 year old brother Aniwal was there, smiling and friendly and happy for me to visit. Today I will return with my camera. Today I will buy blankets for the boys. Yesterday I purcha