Gaspar Estribí recently served as a translator on a Business Brigade in Panama and had an amazing time! Read his thoughts about the organization, his reactions to the hard work and dedication he saw from Brigaders, and how he was changed after working with the Kuna people in Panama.
_____
My experience as an interpreter in a Business Brigade:
When Chris (Business Brigade Program Lead) called me and talked to me about the possibility of joining the staff of Global Brigades as an interpreter for a Business Brigade to Kuna Yala, without hesitating I said yes!
The experience at the brigade was just awesome! In every moment I knew that I could request help from Chris and from Gregorio to solve any problem or situation. Before the brigade Chris told me about the rustic environment I would find in Mulatup, I told him: That’s ok to me.
The people in Mulatup had this great personality, the way they treated us is remarkable. We got to learn a lot about their culture. The mentality of the Kuna is so open that they had no problem in showing us some of their most important rituals.
It is important to say that the Kuna people live in such a happy way that seem they don’t worry about anything. They are such a collective society that think always about the best for the entire community and not in an individual way. It is incredible how people, including myself, live with many other facilities that the Kuna don’t have and everyday complain about anything that´s not really important.
The most important thing that influenced in the total success of the brigade was the teamwork. The brigaders from Thunderbird University had this perfect balance between working and having fun at the same time. They had this work breakdown structure so efficient that allowed everyone to share their point of view and know how. It included several meetings and brain storming that helped a lot in the development of the project.
I want to congratulate the brigaders for the excellent work they performed during the brigade. Taking a plane to a foreign country, living and learning with a native culture, experiencing a totally different lifestyle and helping a community, really tells a lot about them.
If I had to stay with a moment, it would be when the brigaders told us that they felt totally secure and safe during the time the brigade took place. When they told us that, I had this fulfilling feeling from inside that told me that we had done an excellent job.
Last but not the least, I would like to thank Global Brigades for giving me the opportunity of being a part of your staff. Also I congratulate you for your mission and the role you have in the development of under resourced communities.
Sincerely,
Gaspar Estribí
