| | | | There are no names used in this story to protect the family's privacy. For the same reason, there is no photograph of the family.
Our volunteers are often asked how we "find" the families we serve. They come to us in a variety of ways: from local churches, local government workers, or from people we know who come across a family in need and bring them to our attention. However families come to us, they receive a visit from BVB volunteers who assess the family in terms of family members, any income, family support, etc. to ensure that they meet our qualifications.
A family who recently needed our help was in a dire situation and was brought our attention by an employee of a BVB volunteer. The husband of the family had been arrested, leaving the mother and five children, including a 6-month old baby, with no income and no family support. We learned from the employee that she had known the family for years and that the husband was honest, hardworking, and had managed to purchase their little house. We stepped in for a 6-month period, providing food for the family and very nice toys for all the children at Christmas.
In January, the husband was released from jail with no charges, and he was free to return to his family. He was incredibly grateful that BVB had stepped in to help as he said every time he was served a meal in jail he worried about whether his children were eating. Knowing we were there for them made his time in jail easier. We continued to deliver for another month until he could resume working and get his family back on their feet.
BVB is always there, in emergencies short-term or long-term, to help families in need feed their children. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Meet Our Volunteers: Dan Jampole | | | | | | | | | | | | | Dan, originally from Brooklyn, NY, moved here in 2023 after several years of researching the best place to retire. As a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, he was "ready to get back to the mountains after years of living at sea level in Myrtle Beach, SC."
He had two careers: managing the non-clinical side of hospitals and working in materials management for a county government. He enjoyed both a great deal. Both were fast-paced, never the same two days in a row, and he had very interesting experiences in both jobs. For example, he ran auctions for Onondaga County in New York. He sold used heavy-duty equipment at some of the auctions. Frequently, those auctions were attended by people from NYC who were rumored to be the Mafia.
Dan has lived in Taiwan, Connecticut, North Carolina, and several other places dueto his dad's job as civil engineer. Dan moved his family to Louisiana for his job. Then Dan lived in Central New York and Australia because of his wife's job.
He enjoys hiking, walking in the Library Park, and playing and watching sports. Dan plays pickleball, padel, and disc golf. He attends the Chiriquí baseball games and watches baseball on TV, although he will watch any sport that is shown. His mother-in-law used to tease him about watching worm races if they were shown.
Dan found out about BVB when he went to the Tuesday Market in 2023. When he moved here the next month, he became involved as a packer and substitute delivery person. Dan is now the treasurer. He felt the BVB mission was a good one and that it is important to give back to the community.
Early on, he went on a delivery and was profoundly affected by the families he met. The homes were constructed of corrugated metal and plastic sheeting in some cases, yet the families presented cheerful outlooks and were extremely appreciative of food they were given. Because the families wanted to give the BVB volunteers something in exchange, many gave plants or, if they had a surplus, vegetables from their gardens. | | | | | | | | Going along with one of our BVB delivery people is a wonderful opportunity to see where and how our families live. After the March food pack, I accompanied Heather Paton as she delivered food to three clients.
The first was to the government sponsored group home for abused children. We carried in the bags of food with the help of one of the office workers. Heather and I told the office staff thank you for the help carrying the heavy load. Heather reminded them, in Spanish, that she would be making a delivery on the last Wednesday of next month.
The second and third deliveries were to houses very close to each other. The women are both older; Aida is Juana's daughter-in-law. To get to the houses, we had to walk uneven stairs carved out of the dirt and rocks that the hill is made of. During the rainy season, these steps and the walkway will be nothing but mud.
Aida and Jauna were delighted to see us and spoke in Spanish to us both. Heather needed to explain some things to both women and they had questions about the delivery. This is one of the reasons drivers need to have a passing knowledge of Spanish or be able to use Google Translate adroitly.
Most of the conversation was pleasant; then Aida told us her father had died the day before. We both offered our condolences. Juana told Heather she is taking two daily medications for ongoing swelling in her lower legs.
The smiles on these women's faces would have lit up a dark room. They were extremely grateful for what we brought. They gave many hugs to both of us, even though this was the first time I had met either woman.
Aida's house constructed of wood and corrugated metal. The floor is packed dirt, as is the outside yard. The homes in her community are built very close to each other. Having visitors made Aida and her mother-in-law both smile. They enjoyed having outsiders to talk with. Juana, as we were leaving, gave us both a blessing and joked about us being mother and daughter. They said they are looking forward to Heather's visit next month. | | | | | | The average cost of monthly living in Panamá is estimated tobe $1,064; the basic cost of food is $357; and the average salary is $734 (study conducted by the Institute of National Studies of the University of Panama). This study also shows that the cost of living in the interior, such as in Boquete, the cost of living is higher with average salaries $350 short of the cost of living. The cost of living continues to rise while salaries do not.
Our families do not make the average salary per month and the cost of food for them is the same as for people making average or above average salaries. This is why Buenos Vecinos de Boquete is so important to our families. We help provide the food security they need to survive.
https://newsroompanama.com/2025/03/04/panamas-monthly-cost-of-living-exceeds-1000-while-the-average-panama-salary-is-734/ | | | | | | One of the most expensive items we purchase for our families is KLIM, the fortified dried milk that the Panamanian government subsidizes.
Many of our families have no electricity, let alone a refrigerator, so KLIM is perfect for their needs, as it can be made a glass at a time. It also has an airtight lid. We purchase the 360g can and every family gets at least one can; some families get two cans so we distribute approximately 200 cans a month.
If you live in the Boquete area, please drop a can or two of KLIM off at the BVB table at the Thursday Boquete Community Market at the Amigos de Animales building. You can purchase the 360g can for less than $4.00 a can. Or, if you prefer, make a donation so we can purchase the very much needed cans of KLIM. | | | | Buenos Vecinos exists to help people who are unable to meet their basic food needs. We have provided emergency food support on many occasions and have been successful in helping families through hard times. We will help them with food support until the working age adults in the family can find enough income to become self-sustaining. | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.