Students from La Salle High School, WA and Mullen High School, CO build together in Monte Lirio, Panama

Delicious scents of chicken and rice filled the school kitchen after a morning of hard work. Americans, local students, contractors, and Peace Corp volunteers alike filled the small space, joking and conversing in a strange mixture of English, Spanish, and hand gestures. Before long, bowls would be cleared and card games would begin.

We landed in Panama as two schools: LaSalle High School from Yakima, WA, and Mullen High School from Denver, CO. We were prepared for hard labor upon arrival in rural Monte Lirio, but as we quickly discovered, a different skill entirely would be in greater demand.

The court construction unfolded in record time. The rooster’s crow found our continually tightening family in the kitchen, armored in work boots and hats. As the sun rose to its zenith, there were concrete bags to be carried and opened, dirt to be shoveled and transported, and the mixer to be loaded and repaired.

We had expected the construction to dominate the trip. But as we gathered each night, what we discussed was the incredibly strong community we felt. Why was it that here, in a remote village 3,000 miles from home, with kids we had met only in the Panama City airport, did we feel so joyful and relaxed?

We spent our afternoons in the community, immersing ourselves in Panamanian culture and the beautiful country. We enjoyed fresh samples of geisha café during a tour of a global award-winning coffee farm, while another day held a tour of a local plantain farm and chip factory (who sells some of their plantain chips to Copa Airlines). Later, many of us bought coffee and/or chips to share with our families and friends back in the US.

Our unity as one large family began when we traded in our phones for unhurried minds. It began when we stopped knowing what we would eat, where we were going, and what we were doing tomorrow. It was built as we invited each other into games on the bus and around the table. It was built with every smile, honk, and greeting in broken Spanish to a local. Every moment of the trip demanded us to be fully present; a skill we had hardly considered or practiced before.

Our favorite memories were spent in the community with the local kids. We recall late games of volleyball, pushing back bedtime for another game of laughter and fun. On another occasion, many of us trekked down to the river, jumping and swimming and capturing spectacular mid-flight photos.

We were struck by how much we had in common with the people of Monte Lirio, and how well we could communicate using only fragmented sentences, words, and hand gestures. We anticipate that leaving behind this community, getting our phones back, and returning to a country that values winning over the blessing of being able to play together to be difficult.

We would like to share the story of 24 Americans spending 10 days in Panama and leaving with a simpler, richer way of life. We now know how much one smile can mean. We remember not only that our glasses are half full, but we are entitled to joy because we have glasses in the first place. We remember how easy it was to be happy and kind. We remember a more fulfilling life exists.

And while we landed in Panama as two schools, we leave with a vision of one world.
~ Liam Lefohn, La Salle HS

Volunteer Quotes:

This was my first time going out of the country and I had no idea what to expect. A part of me was nervous, but another side was excited. Now I feel like the older version of me was not grateful in many scenarios. I pray that God helps me in my journey to becoming more grateful. ~ Yawaka Mhango

My favourite memory is definitely the construction aspect and making jokes with the locals. The laughs made the work much easier. I learned about myself that I love talking to other people. ~ Isabela Schneider

The most difficult part of going home is leaving behind such a tight knit community. ~ Gavin Van der Steen

My favorite memory from this trip was playing soccer with the locals, they were very welcoming and kind. I was very surprised that there wasn’t much of an issue with the language barrier. ~ Lillian Sanchez

Something I learned about the world is how similar we can be to others while also being so far from them. I learned overall that sports can serve as a connector for people around the world. ~ Alex Escala

I learned that I am able to have so much more fun when I live with a positive mindset. ~ Chloe Ebadi

Community Quotes:

The youth’s favourite moments were to play volleyball at nights with the volunteers, share jokes and just spend time together. Now everyone has a better understanding of each other’s cultures.
~ Isabel Barton, Peace Corps Volunteer and community member

This project will be of great benefit for the community in the long term because it is a place where students will be able to develop their physical, social and cultural skills. This court will support many of our community and school activities.
~ Oscar Apodaca, community member

The discipline and hard work that the volunteers put was a great motivation for us and an example for the teenagers in the community.
~ Carlos Brown, contractor