Panama 40 Years Later

It was a glorious week in Panama.  I spent 4 days in my old village, Bella Vista de Guarare, enjoying the company of my adopted family, catching up on 40 years of news, and visiting one of my original credit union projects in the center of town.

When we first started working with the credit union 39 years ago, it had about $5,000 in assets and no manager, just a volunteer Treasurer.  We trained a new manager, the credit and supervisory committees, and the Board of Directors.  I was astounded to see a beautiful new office with air conditioning, the equivalent of any credit union in the States.  I looked over the financial reports and found $16.0M in assets, a solid Balance Sheet and a Profit and Loss Statement to die for.  They are now rated one of the top 3 credit unions in all of Panama.  I should disclose that they have now outgrown the credit union classification and recently change their charter to become a multi-service cooperative.  They can offer wholesale agriculture materials, consumer goods such as appliances, health clinic services, and so forth.  The interest on loans continues to be below 12% (declining balance method.)

Of course food was on my mind.  I stayed in the next door village, at the beach house B&B of a former Peace Corps Volunteer who recently retired and bought the home of her dreams.  Small, with 4 rooms to rent, right on the ocean.  Surrounded by 3 local restaurants that serve the best seafood - fresh shrimps, sea bass, and "patacones" or fried plantains like only the Panamanian can make them.  Better than any French Fries.

The closest regional city, Las Tablas, is still small, but very spiffy.  Clean streets and sidewalks, buildings well maintained and brightly painted, and even a big supermarket in the center of town.  The supermarket has fresh vegetables, the meat section is up to world standards, and a large selection of goods.  All my Panamanian friends are encouraging me to spend more time in Panama - who knows?  I've been suffering from post vacation blues since returning a week ago.

I then spent 4 days in Panama City partaking in all the activities of our reunion.  Close to 100 former Panamanian volunteers showed up.  We did some fine dining, partied at the Miraflores locks as huge ocean-liners went up and down in the giant locks on the way into and out of the Canal.  We had a reception at the US Ambassador's residence to celebrate the swearing in of 46 new volunteers and took in a show of typical Panamanian music and dance.  All in all, it was a super trip and one I'll remember for the rest of my life.  It was a time to renew friendships and to wallow in the success of projects started 40 years ago.

Kiva:  and while I was away, Prisma de Honduras came on-line again with Kiva.  Sorry we didn't hit the June 2008 deadline, but we're listing again as of July 1st.  Thanks to Orbelina our GM and Michelle of Kiva.   

Comments

[Ramon Kolb]

Hi Kendall,

good to read on your Panama trip...

And yes, I was VERY EXCITED to see Prisma Honduras back on line. I immediately send some money for two loans in your direction, money from loans that were redeemed over the last days. Really good!

Thanks for all your efforts and your updates...

--Ramon