Guna Yala, San Blas Islands, Panama
Guna Yala, ‘The Land of the Gunas,’ also known by many as ‘The San Blas Islands’ is located in Northeast Panama and is home to the Indigenous people known as the Gunas. All families on the first two western end islands of their 360 islands now have Sawyer bucket kits at home, and one school has four. These islands are referred to as the Robesons.
Villages have grown in popularity over the years bringing families out of the jungle into what are now river communities. Congestion in these river communities has caused food sourcing, potable water and sanitation issues.
In 2017, Solea Water partnered with US volunteer and donor Ron Sheridan to provide the community with an alternative to a clean water supply. Alan Foster and his team assisted Ron in his efforts to provide the Robeson islands with over 110 Sawer water filter kits. Ron also generously donated reading glasses that were administered throughout the communities.
Population: 300
Project: Sawyer water filters
PROJECT funding: sponsored by Ron Sheridan
GALLERY
FIELD NOTES
Ron Sheridan is an outside volunteer and US partner for this project. After visiting the Guna Yala islands, Ron saw a need in the community for immediate water and sanitation aid. He contacted Solea Water and our local partner, Alan Foster to contribute to the project. Below is a set of emails sent from Rob to Solea involving the story of Guna Yala as he tells it.
Ron Sheridan to Solea Water (Date):
“The Gunas destroyed the pipeline a week before my arrival. Inter-island problems, not me.
Because of that, I distributed completed kits to 2 islands that welcomed them. Because of time constraints and overall need for completing a "clean water" goal to a 'population', I did not charge or barter in any way. It was clear, this was a gift from me to them.
Part of the problems here, without going into too much detail now, is a population pulled in several directions. Their top leaders, like any politicians, are not always benevolent. Differing views from population and in this case sometimes people react.
Poor leadership based on outdated/ancient system, not functioning well. I have luckily known and now discussed the issues with next leaders here in this island group and we concur on problems and ultimate solutions, but there is always their upper-level politicians to deal with. I presented an idea and will leave them to discuss this in my absence. I basically offered to rebuild an island, now underwater, to create a "base". A separate but adjacent island, solely to utilize as a training center for trades, language and other specialties not locally available. Included storage facility for tools, parts, equipment. Separate facility for ecological 'guests',(paying), visiting medical, community development, and other volunteer specialists. All to be run as a non-profit and proceeds to forward this 'local' island group. I seriously doubt anything will come of my proposal, even though I explained all costs will be borne by me until it can pay for itself.”
DATE:
“After contact with Alan, I was at his camp by end of 2nd day.
Gunas dislike photograhs so did so with courtesy/ discrimination. Was able to take more when they were focussed on eye tests to receive glasses I brought, 250 pair of readers.
Distributed in Guna Yala, appox 53 pair of Sawyer kits with new 5 gal buckets and lids, to prevent mosquito entry. Also about 75 pair of glasses.
Brought 57 buckets and Sawyer kits and +/- 150-175 eye glasses to Alan. He can do whatever he feels best with them.
Getting back to the Guna Pipeline repair project, some background and I'll forward an email or two to you that I sent to friends. You can decide what has transpired from them.
Going 3-4 hrs up river in about an hour with Alan and some young volunteers to a Wounaan village, to hopefully repairing a well. Scheduled to fly to the US August 2nd. Plans open. Will try to attach see photos. Can't from my camera, but some from my phone.
Prob no further contact for a few days.”
DATE:
Rainy season now. 6of 7 days, no sun or stars...just thunder storms
No catchment systems as most roofing material is Palm branches. Rivers muddy and contaminated with whatever gets washed down stream. Most of villages display no recognition of sanitation concern.
People trying different glasses one day, received water bucket kits day before.
Now, ALL FAMILIES on the first two islands on the very western end of their 360 islands, those 8 are referred to as the Robesons, now have Sawyer bucket kits at home and the one school has 4.
The western most still existing island, is called by the Gunas, Alidup. Alberto island. He is the head of 28 of the 49 inhabited islands...the people do not favor him, but I have been linked to him, as he is the only man who speaks fair English
.Justino's island, the next island east is Tutsuip
I pay Justino as a guide/translator, from English/Spanish to his people's Guna language. Here he assists separating glasses and day earlier, assembling water bucket kits.
BTW, I say 'can' existing island because sea levels are rising to the point the UN, International Banking Org, and Panamanian govt recognize all 50000 people must move off Islands to mainland soon, but doing virtually nothing. Monies specified and donated to begin, have disappeared. $100,000,000. Hmmm. Corruption?
I brought Gunas 3 copies of an original US Survey chart of 1870 showing Robesons had 19 islands....now 8.
Photos of loading large ulu with buckets, 110 Kits in 2 suitcases, food supplies for a month/left with Gunas.”
- Ron
For more of Ron’s story in Gala Yupa, check out his blog below.