Restore the hope for the Kuna Children of Uskalu

Hello, My name is Ileana Muniz, Spanish writer, founder editor FAMA, and documentary creator based in Florida, USA. When my Kuna friends Soguiguili Diaz (Dance Director of Uskalu Group) and Gilberto Alemancia (photographer) called me to help them with a GoFundMe for the children of the Uskalu dance group in Panamá, I agreed to be their ambassador to the US and we formed a team. When I visited Kuna Yala (San Blas) in Panamá to film Descubriendo Historias TV series, I witnessed the few resources they have to study. It touched my heart because they do not stop doing what they love. I promised my friends, I will do something for them.

Sogui tells me how difficult it is for her students from the Kuna children from the Uskalu dance group.

They don't have a school with a roof and they meet her every Saturday in a park on the coastal strip of Panama "Cinta Costera". It's hard to get there as some students do not have the money to travel, but a great force still inspires them. They retain a love for their ancient culture in a world that often rejects it, but here we have an opportunity to be accepting.

That's why their mothers, the Kuna artisans, embroider their normative costumes against the clock. The price of the costumes, such as the saburet, costs 7.50. The materials for the molas, which are fabrics of different colors, are around 10 each. As you can see, even a small donation can change a student’s precious time to learn and embrace their cultural heritage.

With your generous help, the children of Grupo de Danza Uskalu will not lose their costumes and traditions; not even their language of the Dulegaya.

I am sure that this effort, however small it may be, will bring many smiles to the community and will open new opportunities for other children who want to learn in Uskalu.

Soguiguili Diaz and her students during performing in Panamá National Theater.

Kuna Children in the Dance class in the Park "Cinta Costera" Panamá

Childrens with the mother. Dance class in the Park "Cinta Costera" Panamá

We will be posting stories of the progress. Hope you can join the journey.

Sun is shining over you.