Finca la Maya-Center of the Arts

There are many “New Residents” who love living in Panama and who are interested in giving something back to this country we now call home. This is more than exemplified in the wife and husband team of Starr McCamant & Steven Holmes.  They are the owners of Finca la Maya in Mato Palo – [just next to] San Carlos. Like many of us, Starr & Steve were looking for a change, one that included a slower paced lifestyle.  So, about 2 ½ yrs. ago, after 3 months of internet research and planning they arrived in Panama, found and purchased a beautiful property in San Carlos.

 Starr & Steve are very much interested in community based programs that give opportunities to many children (and some adults) to experience something that is not readily available in many impoverished rural communities.  Right now, every Saturday at Finca la Maya, they offer free English Classes from 10 AM to noon and free Children’s Arts & Crafts classes (for kids from 4 yrs to 14 yrs old) from 1 PM to 3 PM. Once a month there is a free family movie night where movies like Madagascar and Happy Feet are shown.  At their last Family Movie Night they had over 50 moms, dads, teenagers and kids.  Several local businesses support the movie night by donating new movies and popcorn.

I arrived at Finca la Maya on Saturday September 13th around 11 AM, where we were greeted by Starr & Steve. We chatted in their front terraza, sipping delicious homemade lemonade.  I found out that they also offer Spanish Classes every Friday morning from 10 AM to noon for $10/session.  There are 12 to 16 Expats taking this course which is taught by Kathy Kress.  Kathy’s Spanish classes are geared toward “Survival Spanish - learning things we actually need and use”. 

Leara and Dan Clausing are the volunteer English teachers and have been teaching the English class from its inception. Today there were 13 students attending this class, but in Panama’s “summer” season (when children are not in school) as many as eighty students have attended classes at FLM.    I met Alex, who - thanks to Dan & Leara’s English classes - was accepted into the university program in Penonomè, where English is requirement for admission.

The Arts & Crafts Program is taught by volunteers who offer their expertise in a variety of different mediums.  Today Yvonne Centanaro and Ricardo DeYcaza brought wooden Christmas tree ornaments for painting and snowmen doorknob hangers to decorate.  Both Yvonne and Ricardo work for Dell Computer in Panama and this is their 3rd time to volunteer at Finca la Maya.

Senor Garcia from Ceramica Garcia, taught the children about clay, molds, firing and the painting of ceramics. The children all got to participate in the process from clay to finished product.

The children were treated to a lesson in making paper by the talented Christine Drexel from El Valle.  The children were taught about ingredients used to make paper, the screening of pulp and drying the paper.  Banana fiber was used for some of the pulp and flower petals, leaves and other natural vegetation were used to decorate the paper.

Another brave project was making gingerbread houses.  A group of ladies from Vista Mar brought enough icing, candies and baked gingerbread walls & roofs for each child to make his/her own gingerbread house.  The pictures of the children said it all!

The current project at Finca La Maya is a community library.  The room is nearly ready and now they are asking / making a plea for donations and/or materials to complete this ambitious project. Your donation will be used for computers, books, metal book shelves, folding chairs, tables and other miscellaneous items a library needs.

I was impressed with the work Starr & Steve are doing and if you would like to help here are some opportunities to do so:
1. Do you do arts or crafts that you would like to teach the children?
2. Do you have a few hours a month to volunteer to help on a Saturday with the craft projects or selling popcorn and lemonade at the Family Movie Night?
3. Can you make your contribution of cash and/or materials for the library?

Check out their web page at www.fincalamaya.com, - particularly the “Community Programs” link where an online donation is possible.

The lives of local families - and therefore our entire community - benefits from programs such as these. Thank you to help support Finca La Maya.