A group of 17 young students, between the ages of 16 and 18, from The United World College of the Atlantic assembled at a beach in The Republic of Panama. They had traveled across a vast ocean from the nation of Wales in the United Kingdom to spend a summer in this tropical isthmus. For most of them, this would be their last summer together before they went off to pursue careers or university degrees. Led by their fearless and outspoken leader, Michael, they volunteered to work with the Patronato de Nutricion for their 2006 summer project.
Summer projects are a standing tradition at the Atlantic College, known among students as AC, by where teams of students offer their services to communities around the world. The projects are not affiliated with AC and are mostly funded with donations raised by students and at times their own funds. Students also design their own projects and coordinate for them accordingly. Other groups this summer had gone to China, Thailand, and South Africa just to name a few. This was to be Project Panama. Their mission: Help build two rural farms, in two remote locations, in 20 days. A much heftier challenge than probably all the other AC projects put together.
Shortly before the project officially commenced I went to Tocumen International Airport to pick up the last team member to arrive in Panama and one of the first I would meet. Olivier, the only French national in Panama Project, arrived right on time and I took him to meet the group at Rio Mar. He seemed smart and enthusiastic, this being the first time he set foot on the New World let alone the small Isthmus of Panama. If this lad was to be any indication of the sort of characters in Project Panama then I wanted to participate as well. And not merely as a driver, I wanted to be an active contributor! At the same time I didn’t want to intrude on their project. I was an outsider, my only link being to the Panamanian group leader, Michael. I needed to acquire a clever motive for my inclusion in the group.
And so I happened to be invited, or rather had myself be invited, to accompany the group as their official photographer on the first farm.
Note: There is no such thing as traveling light for a photographer. In almost all circumstances your camera equipment will weigh more than all the other stuff you take.
My Inventory
The necessary!
Summer projects are a standing tradition at the Atlantic College, known among students as AC, by where teams of students offer their services to communities around the world. The projects are not affiliated with AC and are mostly funded with donations raised by students and at times their own funds. Students also design their own projects and coordinate for them accordingly. Other groups this summer had gone to China, Thailand, and South Africa just to name a few. This was to be Project Panama. Their mission: Help build two rural farms, in two remote locations, in 20 days. A much heftier challenge than probably all the other AC projects put together.
Shortly before the project officially commenced I went to Tocumen International Airport to pick up the last team member to arrive in Panama and one of the first I would meet. Olivier, the only French national in Panama Project, arrived right on time and I took him to meet the group at Rio Mar. He seemed smart and enthusiastic, this being the first time he set foot on the New World let alone the small Isthmus of Panama. If this lad was to be any indication of the sort of characters in Project Panama then I wanted to participate as well. And not merely as a driver, I wanted to be an active contributor! At the same time I didn’t want to intrude on their project. I was an outsider, my only link being to the Panamanian group leader, Michael. I needed to acquire a clever motive for my inclusion in the group.
And so I happened to be invited, or rather had myself be invited, to accompany the group as their official photographer on the first farm.
Note: There is no such thing as traveling light for a photographer. In almost all circumstances your camera equipment will weigh more than all the other stuff you take.
My Inventory
The necessary!
- Clothes… 2 pairs pants, 3 shirts, 6 pairs socks, 5 boxer shorts, 1 hat, extra boots.
- Toiletries, first aid kit, GPS receiver
- Tent, sleeping bag, small towel, flash light
The essential!
- 1 Tripod
- 2 SLRs
- 4 Lenses
- 1 Flash
- Several Batteries
- Assorted filters
- Cleaning supplies
- Remote trigger
- Field vest (all those pockets really come in handy)
- 13 rolls of film
Located in a remote area of the Cocle province, the Corozal Farm in the town, no the village, better yet, the community of Sardinia would prove a tough challenge to get to. To reach 08°44.136’N by 80°33.967’W the group chartered a bus that first took them to the most treacherous part of the trek. Rio Mar! A quaint beach community and surf spot located an hour out of Panama City. A relaxing place where Michael enjoys a humble and peaceful abode where the group would benefit from a host of amenities: A good nights rest under a solid roof, a flushing toilet, warm bath water, and a variety of hearty foods and nutritious drinks. The last of its kind they would see for almost a fortnight, well ten days actually. This is where I met the rest of the team.
more later...
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