Anna, back row, third from left, a 28 year old Panamanian single mom is photographed here with Sister Dina, Martine, Marlynne, Kathleen, Christina and her three young children, Allison, 12 years old, Eileen, 9 and Junior 7.Anna is a squatter in a condemned building owned by the government. The attractive turquoise wall is the facade of a one room house (10X10). Through good fortune, several months ago Anna managed to get a sink for the kitchen area but is yet to obtain water. She has installed a plywood panel in the upper section of the room (could be considered a loft?) and furnished it with cotton padding and this serves as the sleeping area for the family of four. The public 2 cubicle toilet/shower on the next block serves 20 families.
She pays no rent and feeds her family by washing cars on the street near the fire hydrant, working in the Women`s Center when the opportunity arises and picking up odd jobs when possible.
Her three children have been generously cared for in the preschool by the Sisters at the Center. But at the age of 5 they must leave the Center and begin Public School. This, however, is costly, approximately $40 a month.
With the help of the sisters and yours and other donations, Anna`s children have received partial scholarships to attend public school. Poverty in Colon is a devastating problem and if they are to overcome their plight, basic education is the way to begin!
Marlynne (Photographer : Kelly)
Reading the Anna story make us realize that we are really lucky here in Montreal. Florence my dd was really sad when I explain to her the story.
ReplyDeleteMartine! I can't believe that your Bubble Gum t-shirt that I once wore on top of the Rocky Mountains is now in Panama! Love you and take care!
Gros bisous xox