Get Involved

The villagers of Llano Bonito need your continued support

Because of the support that so many of you have given this project, the lives of the people at the small Embera village of Llano Bonito continue to be positively affected.  Read on to find out how your donations have and will been used.

If you can help in any way, we would love to hear from you.  Rest assured that every penny or supply will find its way to Llano Bonito.  The natives continue to be overwhelmed by the fact that so many people, from so far away, continue to care so much as to be willing to help their children and their community.

Your kindness and generosity can make a real difference to the people and to conservation in that little corner of the world!

March 2009

David has returned from another trip to the remote Embera village of Llano Bonito.  This time David lead a group of 10 people who, besides delivering school and personal care supplies, spent almost two weeks building much needed sanitation facilities.  Read more in the News section.

LLANO BONITO WISH LIST

Llano Bonito Ongoing Needs

School supplies

Personal care supplies (e.g. toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc.)

Fabric for parumas (traditional skirts)

Llano Bonito Special Requests

Building materials, e.g. cement, zinc sheets, hammer, hand saw, sand, beam, etc. These will be used to build a stable structure that will serve as church and community meeting place, and/or to build better toilet facilities in the village.

February 2009

David, accompanied by a group of eleven others, is returning to Llano Bonito.  This time, besides delivering school and personal care supplies, the group will spend 10 days building whatever the villagers decide can make the biggest impact in their lives.  It will likely be a school/meeting room and/or better toilet facilities.  Currently the village only has two outhouses that are not in great shape.  Read more in the News section.

April 2008

Once again with the logistical support of Guido Berguido and Advantage Tours (www.advantagepanama.com), another delivery of supplies was made to the village.  This time it was a lawn mower (to help keep the area around the huts and school clear of the tall grasses that can hide snakes), paint for the school, and brand new school uniforms.  Read more in the News section.

October 2007

The baskets that the Kitlers brought from the village in February 2007 were sold at a small silent auction in Calgary.  Funds raised were used to secure some of the items that the villagers had requested (see April 2008 entry).

February 2007

In February 2007, David and his wife Ly returned to Llano Bonito, where they handed the villagers hundreds of pounds of school supplies and baseball equipment, as well as other donated items, including fabric, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.  It took five horses (and a 3-hour hike) to get all of the supplies from the closest town to the village.  Thanks to all who donated, and the logistical support of Advantage Tours (www.advantagepanama.com), there were a lot of happy faces.  Read more in the News section.

Background

Through the support of the Artists for Conservation Foundation (formerly WNAG), nature and wildlife artist David N. Kitler and his wife spent a month (December 2005) in Panama doing research on the Harpy Eagle and its habitat, as part of the first AFC Flag Expedition.  During the trip they had the privilege to be the first ever “outsiders” to stay at the Emberá village of Llano Bonito (read all related News items).

When we asked the natives about their needs, the only concern brought up related to the children.  We promised we would try to help.

In nature, everything is dependent on something else for survival. As humans, we also depend on each other and, moreover, nature's survival depends on all of us working together. When we help the natives, it gives them the means to continue protecting the forest.

The Emberá are one of seven native tribes that still inhabit Panama, and this particular village was made up of about 18 extended-family units.  They live in the same manner as their ancestors did for hundreds of years, in thatched-roof open-sided huts, making a living from subsistence agriculture (plantains, corn, rice, etc.), as well as hunting and fishing.  Many of the men make carvings from the cocobolo wood and the women weave beautiful baskets, which they send to neighbouring villages when they hear that groups of tourists will be visiting.  They receive no government assistance and, because of their remote location, they also do not get the extra resources that regular visits by tourists might provide.

...we asked what we could do for them.

When asked about their needs, the only concern brought up related to the children, who they speak of as “their future”.  The Emberá understand the importance of a well-rounded education, and hope to improve their children's chances of future success by providing as many opportunities as possible for their mental and physical development.   They specifically mentioned the ongoing need for basic school and personal care supplies.

We told them we would try to help.

We cannot save the world but, with your help, we can make a difference to this one community!

If you would like to help the children of Llano Bonito by making a donation, please call or email us.

info@davidkitler.com          (403) 254-5051

To read more about the first AFC Flag Expedition to Panama (journal, photos, etc.) visit www.natureartists.com/flagexpeditions/

For more information about the AFC Flag Expedition Program, visit www.natureartists.com/flagprogram/