Bellarmine Preparatory and I.P.T students sharing life together

When first arriving at the homes where we would be playing card games and sharing meals for the next week, we were instantly welcomed by balloons, chocolates, and memorized names. Our hosts, Alfonzo de Leon (Tigre) and Yari (his generous neighbor) made every effort to help us feel at home, offering the rooms of their homes to be filled with duffle bags and mattresses. Additionally, they prepared traditional Panamanian home-cooked meals around the clock that were always delicious. Some favorites were eggs and tortillas (pan-fried maiz patties) for breakfast, and for dinner, arroz con pollo and plenty of ensalada de remolacha (beet and potato salad). Their generosity was the first way, in the unconditional love and incredible giving, that the community of Penonome inspired us. Stepping off the air-conditioned bus, we experienced the warmest welcome (literally) we could have ever asked for. Through hand-painted “¡Bienvenidos!” posters and lines of students giving out roses to us, the students and faculty of IPT Leonila Pinzon de Grimaldo lovingly embraced us. In addition, after each morning of hard work on the court, the school provided us with equally as tasty and nourishing meals for lunch. These traditional dishes included Sancocho (vegetable and chicken soup) with a combination of rice, lentils, and chicken. Furthermore, the individual relationships we created with members of the school and community included generosity of their own kindness and frequent gifts such as mangos from their house, special Panamanian coins, and handwritten notes of love and thanks. The welcoming and giving spirit of these students and the community of IPT really altered our view of what it means to love one another; in the future, we all can only try to be as genuinely kind as them.

Each work day we were aggressively woken up by the roosters and had to be up and ready to leave the house by 7 am. On the first day we all felt apprehensive about the days to come because of the heat, the language barrier between us and other students, along with the amount of energy exerted by simply shoveling dirt and transporting buckets; however, as the days progressed and the locals continued to express their willingness to welcome us into their community, we learned that relationships go beyond speaking to one another. Every day, they greeted us with a, “¡Que Xopa!”, and attempted to have conversations with the little English they knew. Soon, our nervousness vanished and we learned to reciprocate this care for each other. To our surprise, these kids knew how to construct way beyond what we could have imagined. They not only welded all of the hoops for the court themselves but previously completed a large amount of prep work needed to pour concrete. Because of this, on the first day, we finished all of the leveling by shoveling and carrying buckets of dirt from 10 am to 4 pm so that we were ready to build the court. We started pouring the concrete on the second day at the school. With this difficulty, we all had to push ourselves beyond our limits of comfort and remember the outcome of this project. The helpful and joyful attitude of the workers with us inspired everyone. Whether it was a person you had never met running to our rescue while almost dropping a bucket, or dance breaks to lift our spirits, these students and workers showed us what it means to work hard and value time spent together simultaneously. We continued pouring concrete the next two days, through rain and shine. Despite the rainy season, we all made the most of the time together. For example, when it was too rainy to work we would go play intense basketball games in the indoor gym, and when it was just sprinkling enough to be able to work, we worked together to hold a tarp over the drying concrete.

Though we genuinely loved the intense work and being at the school with all of our newly made friends, we had the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of Penonomé. Despite the winding roads and intense heat, we enjoyed a morning in Churunguita Arriba. It was so green and mountainous; one of the most beautiful areas of Panama we had seen. There was a market filled with fresh fruit and hand-crafted art, bracelets, ornaments, necklaces, and bags. It was special to see the work that the vendors put into their beautiful pieces of art. We spent about an hour going from booth to booth debating between which necklaces and bracelets we wanted, and which hammock design we would like best. After lunch, we ended up at a little thrift store in the mountains, with just about everything you could imagine. Who would not want to go thrifting in the mountains in Panama? Plus, the man working gave us great deals, $4 for practically everything. After exploring a new area, we went to a shared Quinceñera celebration for some of the girls of IPT, almost everyone's first time attending one. We got to share special memories together, like dancing intensely with the girls and walking home in the pouring rain. The next day we participated in the inauguration of the court, where members of the school and local community performed traditional dances, sang songs and expressed their thanks and love for us and the court. Despite the lack of our own cultural dances, the love they feel for us is completely reciprocated, and I think they felt it. We got our clothes together that we wanted to donate, and the avoided fact that we would have to say goodbyes started to kick in. We had a last night to play with the kids on the court and on their soccer field. Sweating and secretly hoping the games would last forever, they would not.

Looking back, the fear of the unknown was present for us all, but after becoming accustomed to a new way of living, we realized how fulfilling this trip was. We all learned so much from this community. They love fiercely and continue to stay present in the moments without exerting fears of the future. To them, success is not material wealth but acquiring happiness through their relationships with others. The community demonstrated to us that being welcoming can make supposed divisions disappear. Even though many of them have little, they are some of the most generous people we have ever met. We received hats from teachers, like Carl Lorenzo, and hugs from all the students and construction workers to last a lifetime. Our last day in Panama was spent on the beach “Playa de Santa Clara,” where we reflected on our hard work and life-long relationships. This experience will change us for the best and Penonomé will be in our hearts forever.

Alexandra Crist & Ava Erickson- Bellarmine Students

Community Members’ Comments

The multipurpose court project for me was more than anything else a teacher-student learning experience; we applied knowledge and acquired new ones with real professional practice; there was a cultural exchange between us and the kids from the high school, creating emotional bonds that will last forever. This project has been the best thing that could have happened to our campus, and that is why I will be eternally grateful to the organization, the liaison teacher, and everyone involved in carrying out this noble mission. ~Aquiles Ramirez, construction Dept. Teacher

I really liked the way we shared with the students from Bellarmine High School, even though we managed to get to know each other very little, I saw in them that they are great people with the same enthusiasm for wanting to learn and meet new people, they showed that they are hard-working people despite the conditions. I had the privilege of being able to meet 3 of them and I saw that they were people with great gifts and values. It was an experience that I will never forget. ~Estefani Mendoza, 12th-grade construction student

Well, my experience during the completion of the court construction project at our campus was very pleasant, we shared and enjoyed every moment with the students of Bellarmine high school working hard as a team to achieve the objective that was set. Thanks to everyone, we managed to make the multipurpose field at school and thus enjoy various sports. ~David Olmedo, 12th-grade welding student

My experience in the construction of the court was very nice. I shared with the young people of Bellarmine high school and my schoolmates helping each other. This experience was very nice, especially since we managed to finish the field and thus enjoy the sports' magic right away. ~Omar Alexis Quijada, 11th-grade welding student

Bellarmine Prep Volunteer Quotes

Getting to know all the students from the IPT school was very special. Working hard with them and building connections throughout our time together. As being bilingual, I was able to make more connections and not have the language barrier stop us, another favorite memory is with the group of students I came with, many I didn't even know, and being able to grow friendships with them has been truly amazing. Without technology and our devices, we had plenty of time to talk and play card games together. The memories made on this trip will be held on to forever. ~Sammy Siu, Bellarmine PrepStudent

Being on this trip has changed my whole perspective on life, people, and opportunities given to us. Talking to the students at the school and learning about their lifestyle is very moving, along with inspiring as well. Everyone had difficulties in their lives whether it be financial problems, family issues, etc. everyone always had a smile on their face and worked with lively personalities. I will never forget the memories and friendships I have made because of this trip. ~Jimena Carreno, Bellarmine Prep Student

I learned so much from this community. First, it's nothing like America. Everyone is so happy and I feel like I am part of the community, meaning that they make me feel very welcome. They also work so hard, I've never seen anything like this. This community is special. ~Nick Nino, Bellarmine Prep Student

My favorite memory from the trip was us working together with the school to build a sports court. It was so cool to see all their kids from around the world and to understand their way of life. I also enjoyed getting to meet people who I never talked to before. ~Clara Rosati, Bellarmine Prep Student

I learned countless things from the community. I learned you don't have to speak the same language to become friends. From the initial welcome into the school, the kids have been nothing but inviting. We were asked to go to many community events and to be shown around houses, everyone just wanted to include us in the culture and the community, which is really special and not something you would often see back home in America. Knowing about a community culture is so much different than going and living in it. ~Teagan Ellington, Bellarmine Prep Student

Working alongside the community while building the court in the heat and rain was fun, everyone had a smile on their face. The soccer games and basketball games during the rain, playing with the students and sweating intensely will stick with me forever. ~Ava Erickson, Bellarmine Prep Student