October 30, 2009
Demonstrating St. John’s University’s commitment to
helping disadvantaged communities across the globe, 14 St. John’s
University students and two campus ministers journeyed to Panama to
participate in the
Campus Ministry Plunge program this past summer. Their
journey, however, really began last December on their first
formation day (the first of four meetings), which prepared them for
the plunge program. These formation days allowed the students
to build community with one another, grow in the meaning of the
Vincentian charism, and learn about the culture of Panama before
they departed.
In May, the group traveled to the small farming community of
Quebrada Llana in the Chiriqui District of Panama to work on three
projects: a cement block enclosure for the toilets outside of the
one-room schoolhouse, the foundation of a latrine outside of the
community’s church and painting of the church’s interior and
exterior. While there to complete building projects, the St. John’s
students also built relationships with the people of Quebrada
Llana. Families welcomed groups of two or three St. John’s students
into their homes. Students would hear their host parents call
them “mi hija” (my daughter) and “mi hijo” (my son) when being told
it was meal time or time to stop working.
In addition to their building projects, the St. John’s students
visited the sugar cane farms of one of the host families, where
they processed the cane into usable sugar. They fed cane
stalks into a wooden press powered by a horse. This was quite
an experience especially for the students who grew up in urban
areas. There was also a family day where the St. John’s
students provided crafts and games for the town’s children.
When it was time to say goodbye, each student said a tearful “thank
you” to their families. The people of Quebrada Llana truly
appreciate what the St. John’s students accomplished, but will also
remember the generous personalities of the St. John’s
students.
This past Sunday, October 25, the St. John’s Panama Plunge group of
2009 gathered once again at their reunion to share pictures,
community and their reflections about the impact of their journey
to Panama. This experience of service will not let go of the
students’ hearts either---the families of Quebrada Llana are
embedded in their memories and the way they experience our
world.