Bocas Asilo, an unnatural crisis that may be an act of those who fancy themselves God

Indigent old folks home
in Bocas short-funded

From: (names withheld)
Date: Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Subject: A Perplexing Set of Problems
To:

Feliz Navidad, In the past week or so, I have observed a set of perplexing problems I just wish could be solved easily, as it seems they could be. But, who am I kidding, it's poor Bocas again...

(1) There are three employees on month to month contracts, who have not been paid through the end of June (yes June 2008 -- that would be coming up on six months now). When asked when they would be paid they were first promised "before the 23rd" and now it's before "20 enero"... Who can live on nothing? Certainly not these hardworking people. When I asked who was responsible for the paychecks I received a name of the person in Changuinola. To date, I don't know who to pass this information on (have asked, believe me) who can make waves enough to change the system. A friend recently called our local TV station but I don't know that anything has been aired about this yet.

(2) The woman who is managing the place makes roughly $175/mo ($43.75 a WEEK) -- she is one of the aforementioned non-paid persons. The other two make over $300. They are sort of orderlies, caring for and cleaning the residents and assisting where necessary. How can THIS be? Of course, none of them have been paid so this is still a moot point. Unfair! And, the "manager" is doing her job and still sweeping, laundry and basic janitorial work.

(3) About three months ago, during one of the soup group functions on a Tuesday, I received a call from one of the volunteers that Union Fenosa (electricity company) was turning off the power. Right then. During lunch. When I called the "manager" and asked what happened she said that the administrator in Changuinola told her that she would take care of it "in three days or so"... 31 elderly people. No power. Three days or so. Well luckily some nice person stepped up to the plate and paid the bill. The administrator in Changuinola, that I know of, didn't reimburse this nice person... who knows why or where those funds went because... Today when I went to the Asilo (to watch the kids from TEC sing carols), the "manager" nervously told me that the bill is yet again in arrears. Seems she has been sending the Union Fenosa bills reguarly to Changuinola for payment, and of course the check is ready, but the administrator is in Panama for a meeting. So, now we are waiting to see if they will withhold turning off the power again until she decides to sign the check for payment. I stand ready, and the employees know to call, if this happens. But, if we keep paying the utility bills, in addition to everything else, it will just be more of "okay the expats will take care of it if we decide we're not going to, or just pretend to look the other way, or whatever."

None of this is right, but it is not an expat's place to get political. When is a true native Panamanian going to be able to create change in this situation? And are we enabling this situation? What is the best way to handle this without bandaging it every time it raises it's ugly head bumping it on the ceiling? (I know I am going a little nuts here) If you have constructive suggestions or want to pass this on to someone who is REALLY going to do something instead of just talking about doing something, that would be great. It's just too awful to watch and too SILLY to really be happening!

(names withheld)