U.S. First Lady receives a warm welcome

PANAMA. The U. S. First Lady, Laura Bush made a brief visit to Panama to support the program English for Life, a project that provides free English lessons at the University of Panama for public school children and young adults, and to sign a breast cancer research agreement.

Mrs. Bush was received by Panamanian First Lady Vivian Torrijos, who welcomed her to the country and showed her the English for Life project, a dream made true of President Martin Torrijos.

The act took place at the Eusebio A. Morales library after a delay of one and half hours with heavy security, which closed part of Central Avenue and created a severe traffic congestion.

Mrs. Bush talked briefly with some of the teachers and youngsters who have benefited from the program, listening to their stories, experiences and their motivation to master the English language to help them to find better jobs in the future.

Mrs Bush, who was accompanied by her daughter Jena, donated English books to the program that has around 900 teachers all over the country and benefits thousands of children, even in remote areas.

The U.S. First Lady did not speak to the press and only said that she liked Panama very much and that she had enjoyed her brief visit “immensely.”