A Reflection on my Time with Pro Eco Azuero

By Edalix Marín

Before going to Panama to work with Pro Eco Azuero, I was not really sure what to expect for the time that I would spend here. Having never done reforestation or forestry work before, I knew that my time with Pro Eco would be a great learning experience as it related to these topics. I was also really excited about the opportunity to work with a non-profit doing work on the scale that Pro Eco does and learning more about how an organization like this one functions. Now at the end of my time with Pro Eco, I reflect on how I was not only able to learn about these things but also learn so much about the communities and individuals that are a part of this work and make it possible. Looking back on the last two months, I hope to share some of the highlights from my time here. 

Pictured: Edalix Marín and Jairo Batista. Here Jairo is teaching Edalix about kapok, a naturally occurring fiber, and its uses while they collect seeds to germinate later in the month.

One of the most rewarding parts of this summer for me has been the reforestation and nursery work I was able to participate in. In the nursery, it was great to see that as the weeks went by, I became more familiar with the different species and better at identifying the various tree types based on their leaf shapes and coloration. Through reforestation, I was able to see just how much can be accomplished through collaborative work and it was incredible to finish reforestation days and say that as a collective, we had planted between 500 and 1000 trees. While the work was often challenging due to either slippery conditions on rainy days or great heat on sunny days, there was also a great sense of accomplishment that came with being able to get the work done in spite of these challenges. 

This week in particular had been hot and dry; it hadn't rained in over 6 days. As a result the recently planted trees were beginning to wilt; in an attempt to help them Pro Eco Azuero decided that we would manually water each of the trees. This process involved filling buckets with water from the nearby creek and watering all 500+ trees. This might seem absurd and tedious but the trees would have died otherwise and we would have had to replant all 500+ trees in this area which requires money and additional manpower. With these resources already being scarce to begin with, we set off on this challenging but rewarding adventure.

In addition to this, I learned so much about how a nonprofit can function and what that work entails. Working with Pro Eco Azuero showed me the importance of being mission driven as well as the challenges that come with trying to pursue a mission in the face of logistical, financial, and bureaucratic hurdles. It was impressive to see how despite the limitations Pro Eco faces they are able to accomplish so much and successfully reforest on as large of a scale as they do. Seeing both the difficulties and the victories involved in Pro Eco’s work showed me the complexity of non-profit work as immensely rewarding and impactful yet simultaneously incredibly challenging. 

Likely the largest thing I will hold onto following my time with Pro Eco Azuero will be the people and communities I got to meet, work alongside, and hear from. Getting to work with the core team of Pro Eco Azuero showed me how individuals that come from a wealth of experiences, knowledge, and walks of life can create a strong team that allows everyone to contribute in unique and impactful ways. From getting to learn more about nursery work and forestry from Don Jairo, Leo, and Daniel to learning about monitoring and coordinating logistics with Roxana to seeing how community outreach and engagement can happen with Cinithia and Itzel, I am so grateful for all I have learned from the team. I was also always so impressed by the work of the Magnificos and their spirits of kindness, humility, and determination are some of the best examples I’ve had the chance to see in my life of the value of doing challenging work well. Their support on reforestation days made all the difference and I could not imagine doing this work without them. In addition to this, getting to interact with the various nursery producers throughout Paritilla, Cambutal, Bayano, El Oro, and so many other places was an immense privilege. Each of these microproducers had so many stories, jokes, and kindness to share and interacting with them was one of the richest parts of this experience. From the generosity of la Señora Bethilda and Daisy in giving us mamon to take with us to the warmth of Massiel and the women in Cambutal to greet us with joy each time we came to pick up saplings, I really appreciated each of these interactions. Additionally, being able to serve as a translator in the work that some other students from the U.S. were doing in creating a documentary about Pro Eco Azuero was a highlight for me. It allowed me to interact with the many faces that make Pro Eco’s work possible and it was a joy to be able to serve as a bridge for communication and simultaneously learn so much about Pro Eco and the communities that make it up. 

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Pro Eco Azuero and feel as though I learned so much in a range of topics that make up Pro Eco’s work. I am really grateful for this experience and am excited to take back the things I have learned here to the work I do and the communities I am a part of back home.