The Final Day…why are we leaving again

After learning about health modules on dental hygiene and nutrition the day before, the students really came prepared today.  Many students had continued to improve their health modules at home and returned to the hospital with presentations that looked like they could be at mission sites.  It is fair to say that we were more than impressed.  While many of the students were nervous to go out into the hospital to present, their fears dissolved once they actually entered the waiting rooms.  Separated into groups of two, the students made their way through four waiting rooms, talking to both parents and children about dental hygiene and nutrition.  Balboa Academy even had toothbrushes and toothpaste to hand out after their presentations.  For the four of us, watching the students present their health modules brought back memories of the presentations that we made on our missions.  It was definitely up there in the top moments of the U-Lead conference. Their hard work really showed us the vast potential of international students as student educators on in-country missions. These students, who had significantly less time and practice that those at Mission Training Workshop, really proved that anyone with passion and dedication can make a difference in a mission situation.  After everyone had finished presenting their health modules, we all convened to share stories.  All of the students had positive things to say, but there was one story in particular that stood out.  The two-student team had approached a crying young boy that was waiting in line with his mother waiting to see a doctor.  Once they started to present to him about dental hygiene, however, his tears turned into a smile.  This presentation in particular showed the students that what they do can really help change someone’s life, even if it is in a small way.

Following our discussion, we took the conference outside to add a little competition into the mix.  A game of Capture the Flag, with two teams on each side, was arranged in the area across the street from the hospital.  Although there was some disagreements with the rules, and a lot of name calling (mostly the world “tramposos!” which means cheater) it turned out to be a fun time.  However, because it was mid 90s outside today, we decided to call the came early and ended it in a tie (probably for the best as we are all overly competitive). Lunch today was the same delicious pizza that we had yesterday, and it was definitely needed after all of the physical exertion.  While everyone finished up eating, we started our second service project of the day—making posters and cards for the upcoming screening mission on Saturday March 19^th in Santiago, Panama.  Each group designed posters together that are going to be hung up around the hospital and each group member made good luck cards that are to be handed out to each patient that is screened.  The posters and cards were all really creative and we had a fun time making them.

Then started the crazy/fun (or crazy fun?) part of our day.  After cleaning up the service project, we were able to squeeze in just a little more tourism time, and the Panamanian students took us to Panama Viejo.   Literally translated to mean “Old Panama” this city of ruins was what used to be Panama City.  Unfortunately it was destroyed by English pirates in the 1500s.  Walking around the ruins was definitely a cultural experience that we couldn’t have ever had back in the United States.

After Panama Viejo, we drove to meet the students of the conference for our final party.  The party was a cultural experience in itself; it was held in a chiva (basically a school bus with no windows decked out with lights and unique decorations).  From when we got on the bus at 7:00 until we got off at 10:00, music was playing.  Dancing is a big part of the Panamanian culture and we definitely were able to experience that tonight.  We were also able to view the city from the bay area; the skyline was certainly a sight to be seen.

All in all, this conference has been an amazing experience for all four of us.  We are so proud of the work that the participants have done over these three days, and are so grateful for everything that Operation Smile Panama has done for us to help plan the conference and while we were here.  WE LOVE PANAMA!  Stay tuned for individual reflections on our trip!