Reno to Panama: Building Latrines and Friendships

            So... It’s been a while. Thinking back to May and June, I had the wonderful opportunity to host a visit from University of Nevada – Reno’s Student Association for International Water Issues (SAIWI). Headed by my friend from Notre Dame, Lindsay, the group consisted of two other Masters students, my dad as their advisor, and my uncle as a short-term volunteer. Having raised money throughout the year, the group funded their trip to Bocas del Toro, two latrines, the aqueduct survey, and some water quality tests. The arrival of family and friends to work alongside both my community and me was a welcomed adventure and certainly a learning experience for all. For the first week before my uncle left, I hosted the five visitors in my house. Sadly, they came at a time when the sand flys and mosquitoes were relentless. Despite wearing DEET and using these incense spirals that locals call mechita, the girls, my dad, and my uncle all got eaten alive. One of the major learning experiences was the change of pace for the visitors. Anyone stepping off the plane from the US in a Caribbean locale will notice the change of pace, but coming to terms with the slow pace of materials transportation, community participation in construction, and communication during a project with a finite timeline will certainly test the patience of the unaccustomed. I now have a better understanding as to why people may think I am crazy for doing Peace Corps. For them, my living conditions are like camping for two years (and I like to think that I have a pretty nice set up).

            During their two weeks of camping, the group did an excellent job of adjusting. They learned to cope with the heat, the ever-present children, the slow pace, the cold showers, and my less than perfect composting latrine whose urinal seems to clog fairly often. In the end, the girls played an integral role by constructing the ferrocement toilet seats for the two latrines, while my dad and I managed other aspects of the construction. During this visit, the importance of learning the language became especially clear to me as I translated for the girls and sometimes clarified my dad’s misunderstanding of my community’s Spanish. For instance, when you look up “ahora” in the Spanish-English dictionary, the translations says “now,” but in my community “ahora” or “now” really means like “five hours from now.” If you want to say “now” you better use “ahorita.” Have to love the linguistic intricacies of Panama. In short, the time in my community was an excellent learning and cultural sharing opportunity that, fortunately, was also very productive.

Despite the challenges faced by the group, sharing my Peace Corps experience was extremely gratifying. Finally, I have a group of family and friends that know exactly what my life is like in Valle Escondido. On the final day that the girls were in my community, they were able to work with the women as they toasted cacao, peeled the shells, and ground the cacao. The time in Valle Escondido culminated with a despedida, or a going away party, filled with smiles, dances, and a movie. A group of youth danced in their polleras and guayaveras for the group, and then they turned the tables on my dad and the Reno girls. Forced to the dance floor, my dad wore a hilariously small straw hat, while Lydia, Cassandra, and Lindsay put on the little girls’ polleras that barely reached their knees. With dance partners from the community, the girls and my dad had their first lesson in folkloric dance. Everyone enjoyed the show, and I’m grateful that the Reno group was such good sports! They were champs!

I can’t thank them enough for the time they spent in my community. My community members still ask about them and thank them for their donation of time and money repeatedly. I’m extremely, extremely happy to say that the SAIWI group is thinking of making a second visit to Valle Escondido in January! I only need to work on getting those darn sand flys and mosquitoes under control! Wouldn’t that be nice?!

Finally, I should mention that the one woman who received a latrine from this group has already put it into use. This latrine gives me hope that he project can be salvaged and is worthwhile. And, I have just received the funding for the continued work on the project. Thank you for your support!