Day 2 March Warm Weather & Warm Hearts

I wasn’t totally sure what to expect today. To be honest, I felt quite uncomfortable heading out knowing we’d be knocking on doors and asking families questions for a sexual health needs assessment. It felt awkward in so many ways in my mind but it turned into one of the most meaningful days I’ve had here.

We split into four groups, each with at least one Spanish‑speaking person per group and started visiting homes in the community. It was hot!  We applied sunblock and walked down the road and side walks. At one house, we were invited into the yard by a woman in her mid‑fifties. She introduced herself and then proudly introduced us to her 98 year old mother, who was resting in a hammock outside.

And here’s the part that stopped me in my tracks when her mother got up out of the hammock and walked over to us with minimal assistance, flip‑flops on her feet, standing on the red clay earth like it was nothing. She had the warmest smile and eyes that looked like they had seen and held a whole lot of life.

She sat back down in the hammock and a student, interpreter and I sat on the ground around her and spoke. I tried my Spanish translator app (which I’m sure wasn’t great), but she was incredibly patient with me. She shared bits of her story anyway. She had twelve children, all born at home in the nearby mountains. Six of her children are still living. She also told us her father lived to be 104 years old.

When we asked about her education related to menstruation and women’s health, she laughed. She waved her hand and said it was “way, way back,” explaining that she learned everything from her mother. When we asked what she thought the secret to her long life was, she didn’t hesitate. She said it was "trying to be good to others, treating people kindly, and helping whenever you can." She also talked with us about how the food she eats is different from what is obtained at the supermarket. https://youtu.be/IuNVZJ8BmAU?si=WfOIftu9JOd2KRb-

Even though I’m a foreigner and my communication skills are limited, the warmth we experienced all day was so generous and kind. People welcomed us into their yards, shared their stories, laughed with us, and genuinely seemed happy to talk.  The daughter shared fruit off their tree referring to it as a "mountain apple" then sent us a bag of some they had in the freezer for us to share with others. 

By the end of the day, I couldn’t stop thinking about how people live here. They’re active just by living their daily lives. Families are deeply connected across generations. Food comes from the land around them.Their living space is open some even have chickens that could run in and out.  There’s a sense of community with people here. 

Considering her longevity and seeing some older people walking around who are active, I wonder if this area could almost be considered a “blue zone.”  I have watched documentaries about such places where people seem to live long lives as they are staying active, connected and have a purpose. I haven’t been able to find specific data for this region yet, though Panama does have a relatively high life expectancy for women (83 according to a 2023 data statistic).

Today, I’m just really grateful. Grateful for the opportunity, for the stories, for the patience shown toward my imperfect Spanish, and for the reminder that sometimes the most powerful lessons about health and longevity don’t come from data or textbooks—but from sitting in a yard, listening, and learning from someone who has lived nearly a century with kindness at the center of it all.  I have decided that whatever else goes on here, this day will not likely be topped.