Press Releases 2004
February 6, 2004
Ambassador Watt Inaugurates Community Development Projects in Darien
Ambassador Watt traveled throughout the province of Darien, February 4-6, to view U.S.-financed projects and to further acquaint herself with the needs of the citizens and the challenges facing communities in the region.
During a three-day visit to Darien Province, U.S. Ambassador Linda E. Watt, among her many activities, inaugurated a school dining facility and a water supply project funded by USAID’s Programa de Desarrollo Comunitario de Darién (DECO-Darien). Ambassador Watt called her visit “very positive” and emphasized her pleasure at visiting again the people of Darién, remarking on their warmth, generosity of spirit, hospitality and justified pride in their region and communities.
DECO-Darién’s main goal is to directly strengthen more than 50 communities in the province. This cooperation program, which invites participation of all the ethnic groups in the province, will finance projects that satisfy citizens' development needs and will help construct small social and productive infrastructure projects that also provide for the protection and conservation of the environment.
The execution of the works and activities fall under an integrated consortium of U.S. NGOs ACDI-VOCA and Planning Assistance and the Panamanian NGO Pro-Niños del Darien.
During her visit to the province, Ambassador Watt participated in the inauguration of a school dining facility at the community of Sanson. This facility provides breakfast and lunch to over 100 children per day. The project relies on the contribution of the parents and teachers in the community, who provided all the planning and labor for the project and who share the work of preparing meals for the children. In Canglon, she viewed a similar project under construction. Ambassador Watt remarked that the type of community cooperation these projects represent are examples of democracy in action. “It is essential that communities contribute,” the Ambassador explained.
Ambassador Watt also inaugurated a water system in the community of Villa Darién. The project, which includes the installation of water filters, supply and distribution tubing, and a storage tank, also was constructed with significant contributions from the community. Local beneficiaries of the project contributed labor and expertise in the construction and installation of the water system. “I would like to praise the efforts made by the community and congratulate them for the community work and cooperation shown with this water project,” said Ambassador Watt.
In Agua Fria 1, the ambassador toured a COPEG control point, which represents another U.S. contribution to protect the agriculture and cattle raising in Darién.
She also visited sites where U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are contributing to community health projects and small business and economic development. In the last months, Peace Corps has increased to 12 the number of volunteers contributing to community development in Darién. “What is important is that this link between our people is clearly seen by the presence of these professionals that dedicate two years of their life to promote cooperation between our two countries”, stated Ambassador Watt.
At the beginning of her trip Ambassador Watt visited the important police control point in Jaque. Thanks to the generous assistance of the SAN and especially PNP Director Carlos Bares, she was able to view the area from the air, thus getting a clear view of the challenges of population growth, agriculture and deforestation. She later toured the nearby Tropic Star resort and the ANCON lodge in Puna Patiño. She toured ANCON’s reforestation and conservation programs. At Proyecto Tortuga she witnessed efforts to protect and conserve sea turtles using community involvement and awareness programs. In Biroquera, Ambassador Watt met with Embera indigeneous leaders and prominent women to hear their concerns and to discuss community issues.
While in the town of Meteti, Ambassador Watt paid a call on radio station Voz sin Fronteras, where she met journalists and discussed her trip. Voz sin Fronteras broadcasts throughout the province and provides valuable discussions that contribute to strengthening communities.