Live and Invest Overseas, Panama 2009

Speaking at the Live and Invest in Panama Conference

I was invited to speak at the Live and Invest Overseas Conference a while back in Panama City. The Conference was very well organized by Kathleen Peddicord and Lief Simon; attendees flew in mainly from North America for from several days to several weeks to explore Panama.

My subject this conference (I had spoken a number of times for previous International Living Conferences) was “Opening a Business in Panama – Our Experience”. We also set up an information table about Taboga Island and our B&B Inn Cerrito Tropical.

Conference Table for B&B Inn Cerrito Tropical

People often ask me, if not for financial gain, why do I speak publicly at these types of Expat / Investment conferences?
My answer is quite simply, I love the challenge of speaking to a large group, and the opportunity to speak about Taboga Island.

Expat

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Taboga Island Community Joins Forces to Donate to the Health Center and the Fire Fighters.

Mayor of Taboga and Taboga Expat at Health Center Donation Ceremony

Medical and other equipment, as well as construction materials for repair, were donated this past Friday by the Taboga Island community to the local health center (Centro de Salud, Isla Taboga); organized by two expat Taboga residents to assist this Panama community.

Taboga Health Center
Because of the ongoing dedication of the Doctor, nurses and health officials, the expats on Taboga Island in Panama wanted to help the island. They asked the doctor at the clinic what supplies and repairs were needed and she came up with a list. Since Taboga is a small island community it is often forgotten by those in charge of government funding on the mainland and the health center is in dire need of building repair and working equipment. A fund was set up, money collected, and purchases made of the following items for the health center which assists so many on the island.

Financial Donations were used to purchase:
Air conditioner for the pharmacy
Air conditioner for the administration area
2 – 60 pound medical oxygen tanks
Fetal Doppler (monitor)
Stethoscope
Blood Pressure Monitor
2 cots to be used for stretchers or beds
Roofing and paint plus workers to repair and paint the leaking roof

The Ceremony
This Friday past, September 26th a ceremony was held in the council room on Taboga to present the donations. Held in the council room at the Department of Health, a number of people were present including the mayor, and the people´s representative.

During the ceremony a number of people spoke including representatives of the expat group. One of the expat Tabogringa organizers expressed: “ When an emergency arises in this special small village, the people of Taboga come to your aid – you helped us as you would your own.” “We are foreigners who live here in Isla Taboga but we came here for only one reason, we have a big love for your island.”

The department and doctor received the thanks as well as much needed supplies which will be used to help the islanders, expat residents, and visitors alike.

Note on further donations: This article is not an attempt to solicit donations, but if anyone reading this would like to donate to the Taboga Health Clinic or the Taboga Firefighters (below), please contact us and we will put you in touch with the group.

Still needed for the health center: Electrocardiograph, defibrillator, video computer display for educational purposes. Screens/curtains for examining room, toilet room needs repair.

Note on further donations: The Firefighters are also in need of equipment and supplies.

The list can be found here: http://www.bomberostaboga.org/donacionesusa_files/necesidades.htm
this is in Spanish with photos, if anyone is interested in donating to, or assisting with this cause we will put you in touch with the Taboga Island Fire Chief, Luis Endara, (he speaks English). Just comment here on our blog article and we will contact you.

Bomberos English Blog: http://bomberostaboga.wordpress.com (English site)

Bomberos website: http://www.bomberostaboga.org (English and Spanish site)

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