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At Saboga's island elementary school

Connecting the Islands: Bringing Internet to Schools in the Pearl Archipelago

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It all began when Manu and Steven gave us and Ariel a call, inviting us to join a unique project—bringing Starlink antennas to schools in the remote Pearl Island Archipelago. We didn’t hesitate to say yes. Ariel is a familiar face to us, since he often flies guests with our company, so teaming up with him felt like the perfect opportunity for a meaningful adventure.

Manu is a well-known entrepreneur and influencer and Steven is a tech-savvy guy/influencer who made all the installations.

That morning, the sky was clear and the sun was shining, promising a smooth day ahead. However, as soon as we arrived at the airport, clouds began to gather, casting a shadow over our plans. But we were determined, and no amount of weather was going to hold us back from this mission.

Our first destination was Pedro González Island. As we prepared to fly there, the weather took a turn for the worse. Thick clouds rolled in, making it impossible to land safely, so we quickly switched gears. Instead of giving up, we diverted to Contadora, one of the most well-known islands in the Pearl Archipelago. While it wasn’t our original plan, we adapted—because that’s what adventure is all about.

Day passes including Isla Contadora

Contadora and Saboga Islands

Contadora, however, wasn’t our final stop. The school we needed to reach was actually located on a neighboring island, Saboga, just a short boat ride away. Once we arrived in Contadora, we loaded the Starlink antenna and equipment onto a small boat. The ride to Saboga was quick but scenic, we were at the end of the Whale Watching season so I was wondering if there was a chance to see them, but no luck this time. We approached to Saboga and it felt like the calm after the storm. Island life is so different to the city and so calm. People are really living in a way, we could call luxurious because of the simplicity and view of life.

Upon arriving in Saboga, we headed straight to the island’s elementary school. The excitement in the air was palpable; the teachers and students were eager for us to bring them something they had never had before—reliable internet. Setting up the antenna turned out to be easier than expected, thanks to the app that guided us step by step through the installation. Within no time, the school was connected, opening a world of information and opportunities for the students.

First one, done. Two to go.

But our work wasn’t done yet. After wrapping things up in Saboga, we flew to Isla del Rey (King’s Island), the largest island in the archipelago. Our destination there was San Miguel, a village home to a middle school that was desperately in need of internet. This installation felt special. Not only did we get the antenna set up, but we also made sure the IT classroom’s computers were fully connected. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming as we saw the faces of nearly 100 kids light up when they realized they could now access the internet. It wasn’t just about installing equipment—it was about connecting a community to the world.

With two successful installations under our belt, it was time to give Pedro Miguel another shot. The weather had finally calmed down, and we made it to the island without any issues. This school had already had internet before, but many of their connections had fallen into disrepair. We got to work quickly, restoring the network and getting everything back online in no time. It was a swift, efficient operation compared to the previous two schools, but no less satisfying.

This project was a true collaboration between Ariel, Stevens, Manu and Blue Skies. Together, we arranged to provide these schools with internet access for one full year. After that, it will be up to them to secure sponsorships from the private sector to keep the service going. While there is still work to be done, we are proud to have laid the foundation for something truly impactful. We’ve taken the first step in connecting these schools to the rest of the world, and we’re hopeful that others will continue what we started.

If you’re inspired to help and want to support these schools in their journey, don’t hesitate to email us at info@blueskiespanama.com. We’ll be happy to provide the information you need to get involved and make a difference.

And you can follow this story on their instagram accounts too!

Follow us! @BlueSkiesPTY
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Follow @ArielAntonio14b

Charter flights to Pearl Islands