EVENTS During Visit

EVENTS During Visit:

Reception at Amigos in Boquete for LI teaching artists, coordinators, supporters, board and friends. Over 40 people gathered on Sunday Morning Feb 14th. Photos were shown on the big screen of the LI Panama Kids at LEAF, coffee –fruit –sweets were served up graciously by the Amigos staff, and many speeches and thank you were made. It was a wonderful positive gathering hosted by Robb Pickett and his GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN ADVENTURES non-profit volunteer organization.
Music Summer Camp presentations to LEAF Director, supporters, and visitors.

DATA:

The program has now been operating for 4 years.
32 Casa Hogar Trisker Kids in the Music Summer Camp.
Children are ages 7-16 years old.
7 Teaching Artist are working with the children: Professor Ovidio & his wife, Joel, Humberto, Marselino, Sharon, and GHA Volunteer Ann Luis.
The Music Summer Camp is an intensive 4 week program during the summer break of February. Camp happens 5 days a week with a final concert presentation on the last Saturday of the month and at Boquete Jazz Festival.
The camp offers classes for the kids in: Guitar, Flutes, Latin Percussion, Folk Dancing, Singing, Music Reading, Jewerly Art and Keyboards.
Other skills being learned are choreography and harmony.

FUNDING | INSTRUMENTS | etc DELIEVERED:

Boquete Jazz Festival director Antonio Singh arranged for 32 brand new Yamaha Recorders to be donated to Casa Hogar Trisker for the music camp.
Bob Deutsch donated $100. This made possible MUSIC LESSON COPIES for each youth in camp, GUITAR STRINGS, and additional LATIN PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS.
LEAF Postcards from the LEAF community were delivered to the LI Casa Hogar Trisker kids- they LOVED the postcards and eagerly read them all.

OUTCOMES & Goals Observed:

Qualitative: Increased Self Esteem • Increased Ability & Skills • Increased Awareness & Knowledge

Quantitative: Increased opportunities for local musicians & artists • New community partnerships &

collaborations • Increased access to arts to under served communities

Melangror, guitar student, has really shown so much dedicated and love for the music.
Ann Luis, a volunteer with GHA, is teaching a group of older girls to sing songs. They like romantic songs. She has been working with the girls twice a week for two months. She and I encouraged the girls to teach the younger kids to sing after she leaves so it continues on.
While observing the programs and from talking with the teachers and the Casa Hogar Trisker staff the following positive progress has been observed in the kids who are participating in the music summer camp: attention span, cooperation, team work, dedication, 100% participation and dedication or teachers and students.

CONNECTING Opportunities:

Boquete Jazz Festival director Antonio Singh has offered for LI youth to participate in the festival.
Boquete Theater! The owner is from California and she is very interested and impressed in the Music Program. She may even be interested in being a sponsor or funder.

QUOTES & FEEDBACK:

Professor Ovidio, “I can see that the music has really changed the kids. They smile and forget their problems” | “Irma and the Orphanage Staff have been doing physiology reports of the kids. The kids in the music programs show a significant improvement in attitude, behavior, concentration, and working together.
Professor Ovidio, “Music is in my blood”.
In reflecting on their trip to LEAF Professor Ovidio observed that in the first day the kids were so emotional and nervous. It was their 1st experience out of the country and it was big. They all cried with happiness throughout the weekend. It was a very important step in their development. They smiled, they learned, and they really worked with each other.
Marselino reflected on his first plane flight many times. It made his hair stand up and he was so scared but so liked it.

YOUR emotions, reactions, thoughts, inspirations of the experience:

The Music Summer Camp was beyond my hope and expectations. The attention to details and diversity of arts was extraordinary. The 32 youth, ages 7-16, participating in the music program were ALL so engaged and participated in a variety of Panamanian cultural art traditions.

Media COLLECTED & WHERE IT LIVES noW & will be presented:

How has LEAF complimented the situation (considering the historical background of the venue)?

Future long-term sustainability of project:

The Summer Music Camp will continue. Those kids who excel and show a true interest in music will receive scholarships to UNACHI in David for Saturday Music Workshops. Those who excel there and want to continue will be linked into the Symphony scholarship program.
The program now has strong roots, collaborators, and is “owned” by many Panamaians. They have a vested interest and see the value.
Finding a person in Boquete as a new contact person and overseer would be very helpful.
Expanding in Panama is an opportunity and should be considered for future. Rob suggested his program in Bocas Del Toro, and there are several orphanages in David for older youth.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES with LI PANAMA- HOW CAN THEY HELP: (specific to Robb & Kaytee’s organizations:

SUGGESTIONS OF HOW to update current webpage on this program:

CONTACTS & NOTES (will be added to LI database)

Carmela Bradley | took photos of 2/19 presentation
Sharaon the Dance teacher (get from Ovidio)
Ann Luis, Danish GHA Volunteer teaching songs
Joel Ledezma, Ovidio’s assistant, 21 yrs old- Biday is June 16, cell6837-5959
Humberto, 25 yrs old- bday Nov 3rd
Irma, Baby due in May, Bday Oct 22
Bob, Baterista Drummer & Bartender at Zanzibar, cell 67859971 – he would be interested in teaching drum classes to the kids at Casa Hogar Trisker, He may be willing to volunteer
Bob & Pat Moyle cell6673-3477
Mark & Jennifer own Amigos and are very supportive!
Brett Conliffe - Global507Productions (send thanks & pics)

ADDITIONAL REPORT:

Special Thanks to:

Doug & Dary Orr

Robb Pickett

Kaytee

Bob Deutsch

Amigos Restaurant in Boquete

Irma

Always to Bob Applegate