08 Dec College Graduation in Panama
By Allison Weiser Guinn
Soon after moving to Panama in 2014, I began volunteering with what was then known as Woody’s House of Hope in Penonomé, Panama. Now known as JLM Christian Foundation’s House of Hope, it is a home for disadvantage young women that is 100% privately funded without any government help. While living in the house, these women have access to a university education. They are from some of the poorest communities in Panama and demonstrate a strong desire to continue their education and improve their economic standing. JLM House of Hope provides these young women with a safe and supportive haven so that they may continue their education at the university level. Along with a home near the university, they are provided with mentoring, counseling and positive role modeling. Marie Claire (MC) Beauvil is the founder of JLM House of Hope. MC selects the brightest and most economically challenged young women that are eager to advance their education. Volunteers aid MC with the needs of the girls in the house through monetary donations as well as food and clothing for them.
In Panama, a student will attend the university for five years before receiving their diploma. Once they have all of their college credits, they must intern for six months. For JLM House of Hope, MC houses the girls throughout this time. One of the first to move into JLM House of Hope, Yiniva was also the first to graduate last October with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Banking. She currently works in the Department of Operations at COEDUCO, R.L.. Karina Andreve is the second woman in the house to graduate from the University of Coclé, Panama. It was with much happiness that I was able to attend Karina’s graduation along with several other volunteers. We gathered in a large auditorium in the COEDUCO, R. L. building that could hold hundreds of students, dignitaries, professors, family and friends. Before entering the building and finding seats, we did the usual picture taking at the house as well as on the grounds of the building. Karina was allowed to invite only so many family and friends. MC had Karina get an extension to this number. Karina would have MC, her boyfriend and four volunteers hollering and clapping for her when she walked up to receive her diploma. Unlike many things in Panama, the graduation ceremony started right on time at six pm! The President and Deans of the different departments entered the building first in a long procession with the future graduates following closely behind…approximately 400 young men and women. We noticed many more women than men students. MC explained that most boys will finish six grade and then need to find work to help their family.
MC and Karina
At the start of the commencement, there was a prayer, speeches were given (in Spanish, of course), and, at last, the diplomas were handed out. As the graduates passed by, we read the degrees that had been issued: Humanities, Political Science, Operations Engineering, Nursing, Technology, IT, Education, Economics, Arts, and Business Administration were a few of them. We noticed that once the diploma was handed to the graduate, the next official moved the tassel from right to left sealing the deal! What a wonderful added touch. Karina received one degree in Operations Engineering and one in Business Logistics. Currently, Karina will continue teaching English at JLM Christian Academy. This is a school MC recently established to teach Panamanian children English. From the beginning, Karina has been a wonderful blessing to MC and genuine gift to JLM House of Hope. She, along with Yiniva and the other young women in the house, have bright futures ahead of them!
(There is always a need for more volunteers, donations, and support for JLM House of Hope. Please go to jlmpanama.org or send an email to [email protected] for more information.)