This project brought great opportunities to young teenagers living in the high risk areas of the inner city of Panama. In these areas, that the Panamanian government categorizes as red areas or gang territories, we found a multitude of forgotten teenagers with hopes and dreams for their future. Unfortunately the did not have a voice to describe to the public what challenges they face and what dreams the have for their own lives and their communities. Our church and foundation in Panama stepped in to help give them a voice and new experiences to show them that when you apply yourself, no matter what, you can accomplish great things.

In only three days of production, including a training session with my wife, each participant was asked to write a story that represents their life, living in their community. A story that could be based on real stories and personal experiences, but could also tell a story of what they see and live every day. Each group then decided which story would be made into a short film. My wife Kathy then would help each group to turn this story into a movie script. On day two we would practice the acting of each scene and teach them as well in the use of the recording equipment. Those who did not act in a scene would help with lighting, sound and other equipment to make the recording of each scene a success. Then after practice the group of teenagers was instructed to go home, practice some more and also, find all the locations we would need to film each scene, like apartments, small stores, churches, you name it. We also always needed some extras that would come to join in on the day of filming. The third day was always a lot of fun.....filming in the community. My wife had prepared the order in which we would film, I would be the camera man, and we both would share the directing. We filmed in 5 different communities each year. These short films were only possible with the support of each community, as well as with the help of the National Police of Panama, that gave us security, but also participated, giving us many of their police officers to be extras and actors in these short films.