Short-term Volunteer Assignment Leads to Long-term Commitment
In 2005, coconut expert Randal Moore had just returned from a mountain-climbing expedition in the Guyana Highlands of Venezuela when ACDI/VOCA contacted him with hopes of sending him to Panama. A self-taught expert in palm trees, Moore serves as the horticultural editor of a scientific journal devoted to palms and as a board member on local and international botanical associations. He collects palms from around the world and maintains a personal botanic garden containing hundreds of palm species. This expertise brought him to ACDI/VOCA’s attention and led to a life-changing volunteer experience.
ACDI/VOCA was looking for an expert to help the Kuna, who are an indigenous people in southeastern Panama, to restore their coconut production to its earlier vitality after a decade of decreased harvests. From 2003-2006, ACDI/VOCA led the implementation of the USAID-funded Darien Community Development Program. Known as DECO-Darién, the program partnered with local organizations, indigenous groups and 55 selected communities to strengthen local governance, build social and productive infrastructure, facilitate sustainable economic development, and foster good environmental stewardship.
Until recently, the main source of income for the Kuna of the southeastern Caribbean coast of Panama was the sale of coconuts to Colombian traders. At one time, the Kuna cultivated about 1 ½ million coconut palms. Since 1995, however, the harvest of coconuts had fallen by an estimated 50 percent and the price farmers received for them had also declined.
Moore traveled to Panama as a volunteer expert to help identify the reasons for the decline in numbers and quality of the coconuts. This initial visit led to a lasting relationship with the Kuna community.
The first visit
Moore had never been to Panama and knew nothing about the Kuna, who inhabit an autonomous region that extends for 400 km along the southeastern Caribbean coast of Panama. About 40,000 Kuna people live in 40 villages (mostly situated on the many islands off the coast). They have inhabited this area for 500 years, and have a well-organized tribal system of government.
Upon arrival, Moore traveled to receive approval from each village chief, so that he could attend co-op meetings in the communities to learn about the challenges faced by the local coconut farmers. The farmers would then take him to visit their fields to look at the health of the palm groves and the growing conditions. Moore found that the Kuna farmers were eager to explain their problems, show him their coconut groves and hear his thoughts. What resulted was a productive exchange of ideas where both Moore and the farmers learned from one another. During his time living in Panama, Moore was welcomed by the communities into their evening “congress” sessions and ceremonies, and he developed strong personal relationships with the people.
During his trip, Moore worked successfully with the Kunas to identify the factors that contribute to healthy coconut yields, but his involvement with the community did not end with his volunteer assignment. In the years since his first ACDI/VOCA project, Moore has independently returned to the area twice per year, particularly to the community of Ukupseni.
Promoting livelihoods
During his first trip, he found that there was a critical need for eyeglasses. The Kuna women depend on sewing, and the men on fishing. As they age and their eyesight deteriorates, this becomes increasingly difficult. Over the past three years, Moore has taken hundreds of pairs of reading glasses and distributed them throughout the community. “It is heartwarming to see a woman able to thread a needle again, or a man bait a hook,” says Moore.
Moore has also promoted the art of the Kuna in the United States. Kuna women are well known for their decorative reverse appliqué sewing work, called molas, which forms part of their traditional clothing and which has now surpassed coconuts as their main source of income. Over the past years, Moore has sponsored Kuna artisans to visit the U.S. and participate in indigenous peoples’ art fairs. In 2008, along with the Kunas, Moore also brought to U.S. art fairs basket artisans from the Embera and Wounaan peoples, who also live in the Darien province of Panama. They usually sell several thousand dollars worth of artwork, which they take home and distribute to each of the artists who contributed. They also learn more about marketing their artwork and determining its market value.
Looking to the future
Moore is investing not just his time but also his money to improve life for his hosts. The main square in the village of his ACDI/VOCA assignment was developed in the 1960s by the Peace Corps. It has play areas for the children and facilities for the community to congregate for ceremonies, dances, etc. Moore saw that the square had not been maintained and needed refurbishment, so he started working with the Kunas to develop a plan and budget for redeveloping the square. Moore covered the costs of the project, and the community will develop the design, obtain the building materials, and provide the construction workers. It is intended to be functional, provide temporary work, and be a source of pride for them.
What started out as an ACDI/VOCA project to assist the Kuna with coconut production has become a much broader involvement. “It is one of the most personally fulfilling ventures I have ever undertaken,” says Moore.
