PANAMA bOUND!

Hello all!

This is Angela Davis and Colin Schreiner, the GGLs for the CH1B trip to Panama! We are so excited for this trip, and are here to report on our first full day in Panama!

We started with what felt like an all-too-soon breakfast still rubbing the sleep from our eyes, then bid our initial hotel goodbye for a trip to see the Panama Canal! We were lucky enough to show up and see the canal in action as it was transporting an enormous tanker from the Pacific to the Atlantic, then learned about the history behind how the canal came to be and the impact that it had and continue to has on the Panamanian economy as a global trade route. Then it was right back onto the bus for our final destination!

Our scholars were able to travel several hours and settle into our new home in Chitre. This is where we will be for the duration of our stay; our new home. In one of our first meetings, it was clearly evident just how magically intelligent and wise our scholars already are. They came up with community agreements for our meetings and how we want to feel and be treated as well as how we want to be empowered to step into our leadership roles. These kiddos excelled beyond belief. They then took a survey to reflect and to help define their personal leadership styles. This will assist them in knowing their strengths and what challenges may come up during their time leading their peers. Some of our scholars shared that they were already atune and aware of these skills! Not surprising at all! We are all looking forward to each of them growing into an even stronger leader than they are now!

All scholars also recieved an additional health check this evening; just to make sure that nothing has come up new and that we are aware of all supports that are needed for each of our students.

The openness and community of this delegation is already something to behold, and even as they went off to bed to get ready for our first full day in Chitre, the excitement they have to immerse themselves in Panamanian culture was evident in their smiles and the laughter we can hear in the hallways.

Our last act as GGLs for the day was to transfer the responsibility of leadership to tomorrow’s Lideres del Dia, Lina and Diana. Look forward to hearing from them tomorrow about our upcoming adventures! Be sure to check out the Google Photos Blog at the end for a complete set of pictures!

Angela Davis and Colin Schreiner

Photo Blog: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7gVcTFJD32xvygtG7