Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo – Panama
Real Estate For Sale For Rent at Casco Viejo
Yesterday the basketball field at Calle 4ta, Casco Viejo, was sheer madness. More than 200 children from the neighborhood were enjoying the classic recipe for Christmas fun (insanity): sugar + clown + gifts + music.
Ida, the organizer, was running up and down bringing food that she got through donations or cooked herself with help of her friends. The annual Christmas party has been her initiative for a couple of years now, and it has been growing steadily, joining in the same event children from different areas in Casco, and even from former (and current) rival gangs.
As wife of the leader of an “ex” gang in Calle 4ta, Ida is the living proof that social programs work and are the best strategy to deal forever with poverty. From a difficult economic and social situation, she is now co- owner of a successful juice shop and has a full time job. Nico, her husband, also has a full time job and cultivates his hobby as a reggaeton singer. Nico`s brother is now an amateur photographer, trying to get better at it every day.
Social programs made it possible for them to be able to walk freely through Casco Viejo without fearing other gangs at different streets. Empowered by their new life, they feel safe and want their kids to get to know the children from 8th street and grow up as friends.
Yesterday`s Christmas party was one of the craziest parties I`ve been to. If we could have hooked them to an electricity generator we could have lighten up Panama City. Little did they know they where actually lighting up Panama`s future!