Last Day and Final Reflection--Shannan Stewart

I don't know how to begin to write everything I saw, felt, and did this past week.  There isn't just one word that could sum it all up.  I experienced things I never thought I would and feel that I have been changed, in some way, since volunteering at Nutre Hogar and Casa Esperanza.  I cannot even begin to compare the two because I think they were both totally different.  At Nutre Hogar, the babies needed to be held, comforted, and given the undivided attentions that babies and toddlers need.  Even if it is true that the babies will never remember us and that there are babies all over the world in similar situations, I want to and have to believe that the four days that those children were held and played with individually, did something good and healthy for them.  I will never forget them; and then, there was Adelida.  She was such a beautiful and lively little girl.  When Mr. Mejias explained her and her mother's situation for her surgery, I really think that we should try to help in some way.  I don't want to just come back to my comfortable home and lifestyle and forget all the people and children I met and worked with. 

At Casa Esperanza, the children, more or less, just wanted to talk and play at the park.  They wanted to know everything about the U.S. and what we do here.  It was surprising to me that the young girls were shocked that none of us were married or had children of our own yet.  This was something completely new and different to them.  These children have seen things and exposed to things that I never will be, and yet the fact that they still just wanted to play and be kids really touched me.  Oh and they were fast too--I was annihilated in soccer, tag, red light green light, and any other game we played!  But it was still fun to play and hang out with them at the park.  

I didn't just learn from my experiences at these two organizations though, even the touristy activities we participated were so interesting.  I had so much fun visiting the Embera tribe our first day.  I felt sorry for these people who have to sell their culture and history to tourists in order to survive since they can no longer be fully dependent on the land and hunting.  I wonder how it would have been different for us to see them if they were still allowed to live without government regulations.  My favorite part of that day though was swimming beneath the waterfall.  I have always wanted to do that and it was so great to finally be able to.  

Going to the beach was fun as well, except when Michelle and I tried to be "brave" and ended up cutting up our legs and feet on the rocks.  However, we decided that it was totally worth jumping the waves in the ocean :)

I am really going to miss the food too.  Today when we were sitting in the airport eating a meal from Burger King that cost about two dollars more than a steak dinner at Pencas, we were all sad.  Even on the first night when I ordered what I thought was some sort of white fish for dinner and was served boiled squid instead--it was still good.  

I had such a great time with everyone and feel that I have made some really great new friends now.  We had some fun nights going out dancing and to the Villas with the other group.  But I have to say that the best night was the last night when us girls pranked the guys and then they got us back like 10 times worse.  Mr. Mejias--you betrayed us haha!  That was definitely great end to a great trip.

It still excites me that we actually went to Panama and accomplished all that we had set out to do.  We have made some great memories together that I know I will never forget.  

I want to use what I have experienced in Panama to raise awareness for these organizations and continue to try and support them.

Everyone--Thanks so much for making this Spring Break the best I have ever had!!