Project News

On October 9, 2009, an event was held celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of Chagres National Park. The commemorative event was held in the Salamanca community where a stage was set up in the middle of a sports field with booths from various organizations lining the sides (photos 1 and 2).

As one of the organizations working within the Park and its buffer zone, we were also invited to participate in this event. Our Project put up a booth in the area and we introduced our activities giving out our pamphlets. Not only this, we also sold farm produce harvested from the group farms (photos 3 and 4).

Many other organizations that work in the Park and its surrounding areas, such as USAID, were also present at the event, yet Alhajuela Project had the honor of giving the words of welcome as one of the main guests (photo 6)

(Photo 1, left) A view of the event with the booths of different organizations.
(Photo 2, right) Words of welcome given by Ms. Soledad Batista, Director of Chagres National Park, from the main stage.

(Photo 3, left) A view of our booth. Angelica, our secretary (center with yellow shirt), and Evelyn, the assistant (left), attend to the visitors.
(Photo 4, right) Same as above. Farm produce harvested from each group farm was displayed at our booth and sold to visitors.

(Photo 5, left) Panama’s folk dances were also an attraction to many.
(Photo 6, right) Mr. Sakai, our Project’s Chief Advisor giving his address.

(Mr. Isao SAKAI, Chief Advisor / Rural Development)