Mar 17, 2019
reflections upon returning to Los Angeles after sharing the gift of dance in Panamanian orphanages
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reflections upon returning to Los Angeles after sharing the gift of dance in Panamanian orphanages
Please support my dance exchange to teach dance to youth in Panama. In order to avoid "voluntourism," Movement Exchange works to provide dance education to youth in Panama year-round. The money I am raising will cover airfare and the program fee, which directly supports Panamanian youth in receiving dance education both before and after I leave. In lieu of Christmas gifts, I would really appreciate donations to this cause. Thank you for your generosity!
While productively today was amazing, emotionally the girls and I were a wreck. In the beginning of class, one of the girls’ that is around 6 years old named Milagros who had grown particularly attached to Brittany, said to her “Tu vas a ser mi madrina” which basically means “You’re going to be my Godmother.” With conflicting emotions of shock, flattery, and heartache, Brittany replied “te amo chica,” and that was that. It was a difficult thing for all of us to hear.
Read more about Syon's experience in Panama here.
Check out this article Harvard magazine posted about our founder, Anna Pasternak! Can't believe it's already been two years since we got off the ground.
A few of our pictures from Panama so far - improv class with Luis Alfredo, and teaching the kids at the Malambo Orphanage! Check us out on our website, Facebook, Twitter, or follow our Wordpress for personal accounts from our volunteers there right now!!
I’m learning a lot, living in the moment, and laughing ‘til it hurts.
So are we, Syon, so are we. Check out her experience on day two here - it sounds like a blast!
As someone on my first Movement Exchange, I didn’t know any other volunteers who would be on the trip and as with anything, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into. Yet upon the first meetings and greetings at the airport, I felt welcome. There is something intrinsic to dancers that makes introductions somewhat easier than with other strangers. There is a common vocabulary and universal experiences and basic passion for movement that don’t need to be stated or explained as might be the case with non-dancers.
Nora Anne Marie writes about her second day in Panama! Check out her journal entry here.
Hey! It's our flash mob!
"On March 15 the U.S. Embassy and the National Institute of Women (INAMU) performed a Flash Mob in celebration of Month of the History of Women in the Westland Mall of CV. The focus of the Flash Mob was to raise awareness of gender equality issues and bring a message of female empowerment Panamanian public and especially youth. In this Flash Mob U.S. group included members of Movement Dance Exchange and students of the Danilo Perez Foundation."
-translated from the Youtube description.
This was so much fun!