Students from Franklin Pierce High School visit the community of Santa Marta, Panama

If you told any of us that we were going to a small community in Panama called Santa Marta over a year ago, you’d be greeted with strange glares. Some people might be excited, but it’d still be weird.

Arriving at the airport, we were nervous, but mostly REALLY hot. We were mostly nervous when we found out someone’s bag went missing but we continued. By the time we got the the community school, our place of residence for the week, we were exhausted. But we arrived to smiles and applause, despite our late arrival.

The next day we were greeted with rough work for the entire day. Most people were treated to bucket moving to carry sand and gravel to the mixer in 40-minute chunks with 20-minute breaks. The next day, we were treated to a religious procession by the community and then the option of either going on a rigorous hike to a river or going to the religious ceremony that followed the procession. The following two days of work were significantly less rigorous. Less work time, less work, so much so that we finished the court a few hours early the 3rd work day.

But that’s enough about what we did. Now, about how we did.

Candies for less than a nickel, rivers and waterfalls colder than Washington, humility, hospitality, love, excitement, all of things, however big or small, were the things that define Santa Marta. From daily challenges, to smiles every minute, for every moment, there was a million smiles, ours and theirs. 

We struggled, but we struggled with them, not against.

We learned how they make hats, and how they make Panamanian tamales, so if you know one of us, ask us to make you something! (we probably can’t). From meditating under waterfalls, to walking to a kiosco, there are too many memories to tell them all here. If we could go back and experience more of our second home in Santa Marta, we all would.

On the last day, there was a big celebration for the court, but also for the Peace Corp Volunteer in the community who helped organize this, Nikki. During the ceremony, our padrinos and madrinas (godfathers and godmothers), gave us beautiful gifts. 

Some were slower to adjust, but this about sums up what we learned. We were here for a little over a week, but we learned and remembered so much about what a community is that we know and want to bring back to our home in Washington.

~ Josef Call, Franklin Pierce High School student volunteer

Volunteer Quotes:

Meeting my padrinos was amazing. I first met my godbrother, Jorgito, and it was a great experience. When I realized he was my godbrother it made us closer.‍ ‍~ Carmen Laguna

Before the trip, I had learned Spanish in class but not a lof of practice with conversation. Here in Panama, I got a lot of practice but had to go out of my way to start conversations. So I got out of my comfort zone and practiced Spanish.~ Zeke Isaacson

What I understand more clearly now is the importance of knowing another language and what it can do for my life, especially Spanish, being of Latino descent.
~ Evan Velazquez

This community is rich with love, hard work and kindness. ~ Boston Chang

The stereotype I had prior to this trip was that we were coming to a very poor community. They may have less money than us in America, but they more than make up for it in their hospitality and generosity.~ Lily Melvard 

I know that no matter what happens, I’ll always remember Santa Marta as the best place I’ve ever been to, and it will have a special place in my heart forever. ~ Max Bartlett

Community Quotes:

This group of students will always have a place in our hearts and Marta will always be home to them. They came with open hearts and brought so much joy to our community. ~ Samuel Lorenzo, community leader

In the past, some cultural activities ended with the kids’ clothes covered in mud. We now have a space in the school where we can host ceremonies, cultural activities, dances, and where the kids can wear their traditional clothes without getting ruined.
~ Mirna Fuentes, school principal

This experience brought all the community together and has completely transformed the landscape of the community.
~ Nikki Simpson, Santa Marta Peace Corps Volunteer