The first visit was a happy ending to a harrowing, nearly disastrous, maiden voyage for the boat.

PCPF members visited the boat on July Fourth, cruising the Potomac and dancing with the Emberá crew.

The Pajaro Jai returned to Washington in September, hosting part of PCPF’s reunion, a reunion of Colombia volunteers, and a cocktail party thrown by Panama ambassador to the U.S., H. E. Federico A. Humbert. (Photo above of PCPF member Sarah Schmidt with Ambassador Humbert.)

The 2007 Panama Calendar is being produced by the volunteers in Panama. All proceeds will directly benefit the Volunteer Action Committee.

Demand for the 2006 calendar exceeded supply!

• Pre-order your calendar by November 8th so the volunteers in Panama know how many to print.
• Calendars are $12, plus $2 shipping. (Overseas shipping extra.)
• To pre-order, send email to Steve Spangler and tell him how many 2007 calendars you want.

The Kennedy Service Awards are given every five years to two current Peace Corps Volunteers, two returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and two Peace Corps staff members.

The first award winners included Panama volunteer Scott Overdyke.

(Scott is third from left in photo.)

PCPF was created in 1986. Since then, we have held reunions in conjunction with many of the major conferences of the National Peace Corps Association.

We've been to Boulder, Kent State, Eugene, Berkeley, San Diego, St. Paul, Chicago and five times in Washington, DC.

In a recent conversation with the current Panamanian Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Federico A. Humbert Arias, he raised the idea of holding a reunion of Peace Corps Panama Friends in Panama. He suggested that we consider January 2008 as a possible date.

Are you interested?

Let me know if you would have any serious interest in such a reunion, and how many you might have in your party if you attend. No obligations at this early date. We just need a target for planning.

Our PCPF Reunion would be at one of the resorts near Panama City. Members would visit their former sites or other parts of Panama either side of these dates. Please drop an email to president@panamapcv.net and let me know your thoughts.
 

Thanks to your generous donations, we are continuing to make a difference in Panama long after our return from service!

PCPF makes donations on your behalf to volunteers serving in Panama through the Peace Corps Partnership Program and Super Small Project Assistant Grants

The Peace Corps Partnership Program allows PCVs to request donations to help with their projects. All Partnership requests go to the Peace Corps Headquarters and the project is placed on the Peace Corps website, www.peacecorps.gov.

You, through PCPF, have contributed to the Peace Corps Panama projects listed on the PCPF website.

Many of you agreed to have your reunion fees donated to help the victims of the attack. Your money went to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, which pays college expenses for the spouses and dependents of 9/11 victims.

We just received the Fund’s five year report, which states,

“Since 2001, Families of Freedom has provided support to 686 students and has awarded more than $15 million in scholarships.” The fund has $125 million left and will continue to provide scholarships through 2030.

In the PCPF RPCV Panama Corner you’ll find out first hand news (not just the Bochinche) about where people are and what they’re up to. . . .

• Got some news to share? Email Valerie at valwhiting[AT]yahoo.com.

This first electronic El Bochinche has news on:

• Nadia Barrera, Los Santos 2001-2003
• Tom Langehaug, La Mesa and Santiago, Veraguas, 2000-2003
• Dost Bardouille, Bocas del Toro, 2003-2006