I am posting the following email from my friend Jorge describing his trip to deliver assistance to Zapote. Jorge’s email follows and following the email are some photos taken of the event.
Hi Don,
Our trip on the 17th of this month to the banana plantations of Puerto Armuelles called Zapote was a good trip. Nicole and I went in a Taxi with the manager of the radio station Hosanna 94.9. There were about 300+ people between children and adults through out the day.
The need there is great. When we got there, I could feel and see the hopelessness and sadness in their faces. As trucks arrived with donations and with the people who were giving words of encouragement and hope, the mood turned a little happier and hopeful. Kids started smiling and playing a little; many many children were there.
About 4 trucks full of dry food, clothes, shoes, school supplies arrived and also a truck full of meat from 7 cows arrived. These cows were donated by a local rancher from Concepcion! Also, some money gifts given to 50 children to help with school supplies.
All in all, things went very well. Everyone got a bite to eat, something to drink and encouraging words, but there were some people that were disappointed because there were not enough donations to go around for everyone. This was hard to see and a little disappointing.
Pastor and community leader Pedro Pitty called me last night to invite us back on the 5th of April to assist another banana farming community. He was encouraged to go back because somebody already donated 11 cow plus some other things.
For those who were not able to go with us this time, please mark your calenders for this next trip and lets go help these people. If you have a truck, this would be great! Please help me raise awareness and donations for these communities who much need it! I was raised and born in Puerto Armuelles so this is special for me to be able to contribute to this cause!
Thank to all of you who gave generously and may God keep blessing you with much more!
Jorge and Vicky
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www.restauranteycafemana.webs.com
Does anyone know what the state of the banana industry in Puerto Armuelles is? The last I heard or recall was over a year ago when a Panamian court or agency ruled that the co-op could sell their product in spite of Chiquita’s controls. I recall that the government was, at least for a time, trying to find capital to build an oil refinery near the town. Has anyone heard anything recent on this?
Hi Frank,
As of right now, nothing is happening in the banana plantations of Puerto Armuelles. The Panamanian goverment was giving monetary aid to the co-op to try and save this industry, but no more aid is being given. It seems as if the heads of the co-op were keeping most of the money and the government got tired of it.
I was told that the refinery is nothing for sure. The government have tried to put this deal together for years, but the all the foreign companies are scared of the Unions here. They are responsible for Chiquita to leave this community.
I hope this answers some of you questions. Thank you for your interest.
Thanks for adding that information Jorge.
Thanks, Jorge. The age old struggle between progress and equity sometimes just hits a wall, usually because of something like corruption someplace along the line. And the working people almost always suffer. There’s always mañana though.