Buenos Vecinos de Boquete Newsletter November 2022

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Buenos Vecinos de Boquete Newsletter November 2022

Family of the Month-Diomedes’ Family Multi-generational families are a way of life in Panama. In the highlands above Boquete Diomedes and his wife Rubis raise their their six children and care for Diomedes’ elderly and disabled father, Dolores. The children range from one to sixteen-years old with the three oldest Gisel 16, Miledis 11 and Diomedes Jr. 9 are enrolled in school locally. The younger siblings Jesus 7, Liz 5 and Adriel 1 stay home with their mother. Dolores who is 80 years old is a lower amputee and wheelchair-dependent. Additionally, Diomedes Jr. suffers from a developmental learning disability as well as LCPD, a rare childhood condition affecting the hip and femur bones which cause him to walk with a limp and makes walking painful. The house they share a four-room windowless, tin-roofed block house is provided by Diomedes’ employer. It’s located on the farm property where he works as the farm’s foreman, providing the family’s sole income. The home has crude indoor electricity and water. The kitchen area has a small sink and a worn-out gas stove Dining is done outside under a covered porch area at an old wooden picnic table. All nine family members sleep in the bedroom/living area and share a small primitive bathroom. Privacy and personal space are luxuries this family doesn’t get to enjoy regularly. And while hardship is “normal” for them, the atmosphere is a loving and positive one where the children are helpful, caring and respectful. BVB became aware of Diomedes’ family earlier this year. The school psychologist was concerned about Diomedes Jr, his well-being and and food security at home. She brought the food issue to the attention of a family member who is a BVB volunteer. The family was interviewed and immediately accepted into the program. The monthly food donations have helped them immensely to better meet the children’s nutritional needs. Rubis and the whole family are always grateful when their BVB sponsor pays them a visit. Finally none of this would be possible without the help of our generous donors, selfless volunteers, amazing corporate sponsors, Coconut Foundation members and individual donors. We would also like to thank our newsletter and social media readers for their charitable thoughts words and donations of any size, as we all endeavor to help our neighbors in need. “No act of kindness no matter how small, is ever wasted”- Aesop “Survey Says..Food Starter is a Success” The Food Starter Program begun last June to help our BVB clients, including our FPI recipients, to learn how to grow their own veggies and fruits is successful, according to the results of their surveys conducted over the past six weeks. More than seventy percent of them indicate they want to continue receiving plant slips and seedlings and to create or add to their own gardens. Edita pictured here shows off the sweet potato plant BVB provided last summer and the container with a red pepper plant that she is now growing since September. Edita supports her adult daughter who is wheelchair bound and requires a great deal of care throughout the day. This new hobby will provide Edita with not only some much-appreciated diversion from her daily schedule, but also valuable additions to their diet. Please remember to save all of your bleach and large vinegar bottles as well as large water and juice jugs with the reinforced handles. Let John Rhoades our Food Starter coordinator know when you have a collection of these containers at john@rhoadesdev.com or bring them to our BVB table at the BCP Tuesday Morning Market. The Kids’ Christmas Project in Boquete Sponsored by ACCB and BVB is Underway Toy Collection boxes are now distributed around the Boquete area and the details for the Fund-Raiser and Toy Collection Dinner Buffet on Sunday December 18th at Mesa Azul are displayed here. The Mesa Azul Dinner Buffet will feature two seatings at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Reservations required at 6455-9988. Located in the Oasis Hotel next to Tap Out. Chris Young’s group of Downs Syndrome young adults who are in training and practicing their hospitality industry skills will assist the wait staff in seating and serving you. The Menu: Turkey and Ham    Mashed Potatoes and Gravy   Sweet Peppers and Sausage Dressing Assorted Vegetables Bread and Butter Board Fresh Green Salad Holiday Dessert $24 pp Please bring wrapped gifts valued at approximately $5 each and labeled with the age level and boy/girl/either. And/or make a donation to purchase additional toys and other gifts for local children and kids in the Comarca. Donations for toys may also be made at the BCP Tuesday Morning Market at the BVB table or on BVB’s PayPal account buenosvecinosdeboquete.com. Be sure to designate your gift as Kids’ Toys. Buenos Vecinos de Boquete exists to help people like this, 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.    If you prefer to donate by cash or local check you can see Louise Orr at the Tuesday Market or contact Trish at buenosvecinos79@gmail.com Be sure to check out our website and Facebook page: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BuenosVecinosDeBoquete/ Website:  http://www.buenosvecinosdeboquete.com/