As a pilot Jim has traveled much. He writes “My first experience as a Dog Meets World participant in Panama was beyond my expectation. Thinking you are just going to take some photographs of kids with a little stuffed dog, you suddenly find yourself in the midst of a close personal relationship that starts with with a normal measure of distance and hesitancy and ends with being surrounded by excited, happy faces as their own images emerge from the printer.

Do you want to improve someones self image? Give them their own (possibly first ever) copy of it. What a thrill watching the faces of children light up with pride and amazement as they received their own photograph. It was truly a fulfilling experience working with the tribal families in central Panama and giving them this gift. So, if you want to enhance your own self image, I suggest Dog Meets World for anyone during their next travel opportunity.

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Driving through the countryside we stopped along the side the road and Miguel Moreno (official photographer for the US Embassy) inquired if these boys had a photo of themselves. They said just one from when they were babies, so we whipped out the printer, set it up on the back of the 4×4 and quickly made one for each. I love this scene Miguel captured of the boys walking away enthralled with their new handsome pictures. What a fun way to spend a day in another country!

The little stuffed dog Foto lightens up the atmosphere. This Embera Drua woman decided her parrot should meet Foto the dog. The gorgeous bird and it’s antics generated many laughs and enhanced the cross cultural interactions. A fun time!

Phodographer Carolyn Lane in Embera Drua Village, Panama, Aug. 2010

We learned all about life and customs in the village, ate a fabulous meal of fish caught in the river and then brought out the Dog Meets World project and offered pictures to all the villagers. Foto was a bit hit and during the downpour we laughed and shared and made friends.

Dugout canoes powered by motors need GAS. While the boat driver got gas, we got out the Dog Meets World printer and took pictures for these Embera Indian siblings and cousins enjoying swimming in the river. Once the pictures were handed out they all took off, staring at their first pictures to show their parents. Smiles abounded. The printer using rechargeable batteries allow for spontaneous DMW…even on a riverbank!

Just back from Panama! Official photographer for the US Embassy Miguel Moreno took this picture and accompanied Dog Meets World founder Carolyn to visit the Embera Drua Indians living in a village along the Chagres River. Before they started out they took and printed the first ever photo for the Anibal, driver of the motorized dug out canoe. At age 31 he was pleased to be given his first picture and had fun playing with Foto.

Phodographer Miguel Moreno in Chiriqui Province, Panama March 2010

Miguel is the official photographer for the US Embassy in Panama and an avid volunteer phoDOGrapher for Dog Meets World!

Miguel is the official photographer for the American Ambassador to Panama. He was introduced to Dog Meets World and immediately saw the value of giving out personal photographs to children in need in his country. Since December he continues to take Foto and the printer with him on trips. This village is about 6 hours from Panama City in a lush mountainous region of Panama. He is proud to be a phoDOGraher for the project and tells everyone you too can join the community and touch lives with a small act that has a meaningful impact.

Miguel is a photographer for the US Embassy in Panama. He was so impressed when introduced to Dog Meets World by Joanelle Mulrain, artist for the Art in Embassies Program that he has volunteered to Take & Give pictures for the project. We’re in the process of getting him more film already!