Currently, my beautiful wife and I are in Boquete, Republic of Panama. Although Panama City is a World-Class metropolis, sort of a mini-Miami, there is heart-breaking poverty throughout the country.  Boquete is located in the mountains close to the Costa Rican border and has a significant International community.

Down the mountain about 35 minutes is a very special school for boys, Escuela de Arturo Miro.  It is a full-time facility housing one-hundred plus children ages 8 to 18 — kids whose parent(s) is in jail.  You see, when a child’s last remaining  parent is sentenced to prison in the State of Chiriqui, Arturo Miro School becomes their home.  It is spotless, the residents extremely well-behaved and the teachers and staff loving, but firm.

The kids there are mostly self-sufficient.  They grow fruits and vegetables.  Their productivity includes tending goats, pigs, chickens and raising cattle.  There is a wood shop to make furniture and a kitchen that needs lots of hands.  As elsewhere in the rural areas of Panama, most farming is done manually; shovel, pick and hoe.  Grass is “mowed” and bushes trimmed via machete.  Fields are “plowed” with a worn out hand tool.

The Head Master, Victor,is a man of boundless energy and curiosity  And, so it was that he met a Gringo from Boquete who is more bulldog than mere human mortal.  This man is a friend, so I have been able to watch the miracle that has come to Escuela de Arturo Miro. Clearly, these boys deserve the opportunity to break the vicious circle of old habits and broken dreams.  What if they could learn to operate mechanized farm equipment and further their education with quality computers and Internet access?

My friend decided that he would do everything possible to give them the chance.  Nine area charities and civic organizations that pull together in a group called Boquete United were invited to join the quest.  And, join they did.  One interested party had a contact at “Hope for the City”, a Minneapolis, MN-based aid organization, who was contacted. These guys specialize in completely rebuilt 1964 D Series Allis Chalmers tractors because they have no electronics and repair and maintenance may be done with available supplies.

“Hope for the City” also sources computers and whatever is requested by their humanitarian organization clients.  10 computers and accessories were allocated to the school, along with several implements for their tractor.  A Computer Lab has been set up and via private donation, a year of suitable Internet service has been arranged.  I have seen the looks in the eyes and on the faces of the boys.  They are amazed and thankful to have received such help!

I am leaving the name of the “instigator” Gringo out of this story, as the joy he has received is enough for him, I am sure.  Can you imagine how it must have felt to see a 40 foot long container filled with life-changing aid for boys in need of a break in life? Immeasurably wonderful!  The following organizations participated in and/or provided funding toward this miracle:  Amigos de Boquete, The Lions Club of Boquete and David, The Rotary Club of Boquete and David, Wilkes Community College, North Carolina, and numerous individuals.

Two Sundays ago, I stood in a parking lot watching the container being unloaded.  It was a day of rejoicing for so many, I thought I would share it with you.  Hopefully, you will go forth and “fill a container” for someone you meet that is in need!