The Yale expositor., 1904-10-14
COLON, IsTHMUs OF PANAMA.


Just little more than two years ago
five ladies met to form Ruth Randall
Branch of the International Sunshine
Society of Colon, Isthmus of Panama.
1t was organized June Z. 1872. but it
was not until March 20, 903, that any
active work was done. owing to the alb
sence from the Isthmus of its president.
Beginning March 20, 1903, however,
the society became unusually active
The membership grew 10 tWenty-seven
ladies, besides a childrcn's branch,
comprising thirty-siX children.
Up to date we have received Sl7.70
gold and SSS295 Colombian silver. Out
Of that we have spent $l45D gold and
S672.20 silver. Besides this we have q
separate fund for the purpose Of buy
ing a piano. Toward this fund we
have $3.50 gold and S199 silver.
Monthly meetings have been held,
with but few exceptions.
1t would be impossible for any other
branch to realize the conditions exist
ing here. Nine-tenths of the pOpula-
ton is cOlOred, poor, shifLless and uu-
educated. While our main work is
among them we find time to send cheer
elsewhere occasionally i'm the shape Of
boxes Of clothing, toys, food, etc.
Now that the canal is a certainty
large numbers of men and women Of
every description are drifting here from
all parts of the world in the hopes Of
getting work. OF course. none can be
had as yet, and SO it falls to the lot Of
the society to help them.
Meal tickets are issued. medical aid
and clothing are furnished The sOci-
ETY. expects to furnish a large room
with cots in order that these people
will have place to sleep during The
coming rainy season. 1t would be diff
cult to relate what the society has not
been called upon to do
1t has sent people unable to look out
FIR themselves to jamaica to their
friends or relatives. 1t pays Il teacher
IS monthly salary to teach the children
unable to pay for schooling. II feeds
The sick and needy, clothes the children
and adults, pays their rents and medi-
cines, furnishes doctors aids, besides
even burying their dead.
Outside Of the work Of the society
much is done by the individual mem
bers.
Very often we have been able to find
employment for some of the stranded
people.
Two other branches have been organ.
lied ON the lsthmus under the guidance
Of the main branch Both are COlored
b anches. one in Colon and one nc
tuiehra
These branches do what they can
among their own people. with help from
the main branch wherever needed
Naturally, all this work requires money,
and TO meet this constant demand the
/ ladies' are kept busy.
We have our monthly dues. quite a
number Of gentlemen have been geuer-
GUS and donated money at different
times. At first we held our meetings
in the rooms of the Mechanics Club, IN
/ which we also gave a very S CCeSsful
fair. since then we have been able "a
get rooms of our own, i'm which we held
4 christmas tree, st. Valentines
party, a 1t. Patrick's party and a
Japanese tea. all of which were success
ful.
Our rooms as yet are not furnished
but we have been able TO get a few
/ things books shelves, benches, tea
set, quite number of cups and sau-
GERS, plates, besides an Oil-stove and
various kitchen utensils. \ good lib.
rary has been started, with quite good
supply of books and magazines.
With the coming of the actual work
on the canal and the pouring in of peo-
pie by the hundreds from every part of
| the globe, we will no doubt find even
more chance to scatter the sunshine, SO
much needed here, but which one and
all of the society stand ready and will
! ing to do at all times.
HERMINE 4. GUCKEL
Recording Secretary.