NewsLady Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 This is a story about how life is in Panama for some people. This is Omaira. She was born without eyes. She doesn't speak. She cannot walk. Her family is very poor but her Mom, Celia, does the best she can for her daughter Omaira. These are the brother and sisters of Omaira. They are very poor. Mom, Celia took the whole family to the Comarca because their grandma died. It is traditional for the Indigenous folks to bury their dead in the Comarca. This is the "house" that Omaira's whole family lived in. It is mostly made of plastic and blue tarps. When Omaira's family was in the Comarca burying grandma, the entire house burned down. The family lost everything except the clothes on their backs. They are staying temporarily with some friends. They need everything to start their lives over again. Whatever you can donate please drop off at the Handicap Foundation in Alto Boquete or at the book table at the Tuesday Market. They need bedding, cooking utensils, towels, spoons, chairs, dishes, etc. They need everything. Please mention that your donation is for Celia and Omaira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 You can drop off donated items at the Handicap Foundation center in Alto Boquete -- just north of the unfinished polyclinic and across the street from Chopsticks Chinese restaurant. Also, people have asked how to make money donations. If you're local you can drop off your donation in an envelope with Celia's name on it. If you're not local, I'm taking donations through my paypal account -- pjbarrett@aol.com Check the box that says you're sending money to friends and/or family and there won't be any fee. Thanks to all who want to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fundacion Pro-Integracion Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 (edited) We at the Handicap Foundation (FPI) want to send out a huge thank you to the Boquete community for the wonderful and heart-felt response to this sad story. People brought in all kinds of stuff for the family. Some of it was not usable by these people and was set aside for the August venta de patio. But a truckload of usable items was delivered to the family. Just a point of clarity -- not all people who were burned out were Celia and Omaira's immediate family. A large extended family including grandchildren shared the hovel that was burned. Their current housing is temporary and we're trying to sort out a long term solution for these folks. Right now 19 people (5 adults and 14 children) share a space no bigger than 20' x 20'. In addition to the local folks who donated, we received 4 cash contributions from non-residents via paypal. In total, we received about $1000. Some of the funds have already been spent on sleeping pads, a bathing tub for Omaira, a mosquito net for Omaira's bed, shoes for the children, cleaning supplies and food products. The rest is being held until a more permanent housing situation can be arranged. Here's some photos: Here's a photo of Omaira in her wheel chair and her mother Celia surrounded by other extended family members in their new temporary housing. You can see some of the bed rolls and other necessities that your donations have purchased. Here's one of the Handicap Foundation volunteers showing the family some of the things that were donated. Some of the donations collected for this family. THANK YOU BOQUETE !!!! Edited June 25, 2018 by Fundacion Pro-Integracion 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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