Cardinal Newman High School students get a lifetime of memories in San Miguel, Panama

On Tuesday, July 29th, 18 student volunteers and 4 chaperone volunteers from Courts for Kids arrived in San Miguel, Panama. The soon to be outdoors sports court was nothing but a pile of dirt and rock. 

For the next 4 days, the volunteers and a number of local residents shoveled sand, carried buckets of gravel and poured cement. With high temperatures and humidity, any rainfall or breeze brought relief. The hard work brought in a load full of fun activities when the court opened on August 4th. Locals and volunteers played pick up basketball games as well as knocking a volleyball around mid court to each other.

The volunteers were students from Cardinal Newman High School located in Columbia, SC, who left Panama with a lifetime of memories. We didn’t mind disconnecting and not having our phones because it helped us really connect with the culture we learned a lot from the locals. Everyone was genuinely curious about each other's daily lives. The openness of gratitude and kindness that the locals welcomed us with helped us shape our lifelong memories. 

The food also did more than add good flavor to the trip. The locals of Cocle cooked us breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was cultural and homemade. It contained rice, chicken, plantains, eggs, pork, and fresh fruit.

Although we were there to build a sports court, it wasn’t all about the work. Everyday after we worked we would do activities that the locals created for us. We would learn how to cook traditional foods or desserts. It helped us embrace the culture even more. These activities boosted our knowledge of the culture and helped us interact with locals on a deeper level.

We explored a natural recreation area that the community enjoys and wanted to share with us. We experienced swimming in the river and having so much fun outdoors. We went on hikes around the community and got to see the homes of the locals that had been taking care of us. 

Sports are known all over the world, regardless if they have the courts or fields. Before August 4th, the children built soccer goals out of sticks and they played soccer on a grass field. Now that there is a new court, we are hoping it brings nothing but happiness and laughter throughout the community. Not only does San Miguel now have a new sports court to enjoy it, it also has a new meeting spot to strengthen its already strong ties.

We have created an unbreakable bond with the locals that welcomed us with smiles and nothing but open arms. On August 6th it was time to leave tears and hugs were given as we departed.

Courts for Kids time in San Miguel lasted about a week but nothing short of lifelong memories were made. A strong appreciation was formed for a community whose location might be “foreign” but whose kindness, hospitality and passion for a sport left no misunderstanding and created an experience of a lifetime.

~ Elizabeth de Treville, Cardinal Newman Hish School Student Volunteer

Volunteer Quotes:

This community has showed me how unconditional love is portrayed. Showing up, cooking, providing electricity, and helping build a court shows that no matter what someone is going through, they always show up.
~ Nahra Jospeh

My favorite memory of this trip was seeing all the kids so happy when we first arrived. They were so happy with so little and it is very eye opening. I also liked finishing the court and seeing the locals so happy.
~ Andrew Husted

My favorite memory of this trip is bonding with the community by playing with kids. I also get to build deeper connections with my peers. I made memories I will not ever forget.
~ Chloe Moon

This trip changed me because now I feel like enjoying things and not depend on the surroundings, conditions or technology. It should depend on the people you are with. 
~ Emily Grace

We live a life that is always desiring the next, biggest thing and never realizing we have what we need and that will do.
~ Abby Bodman

One thing I learned from the community is how even though the language barrier and us being complete strangers to them, they still are very inviting.
~ Logan Cacioppo

It is heartwarming to witness the “see a need, fill a need” way that these people live.
~ Addyson Thorne

Community Quotes:

May God bless this group of students and give them the wisdom to continue helping other communities that will benefit from their work.
~ Cecilia Guardado, School Principal

This experience served as an excuse to bring all the community together and reminded us that we are able to accomplish great things when we all invest ourselves in the same direction.
~ Neila Figueroa, Community Leader

It wasn’t just work for me. My little girl comes to this school and I cannot be more proud of being able to support a project that will give her and others a space to enjoy her days in school practicing sports and playing with her friends.
~Alvin Sanchez, Community Contractor