On Tuesday, July 2nd, a devastating fire destroyed Bocas del Toro’s beloved Mami’s restaurant and home on Bastimentos, robbing our community of one of its prized institutions.

Mami was in the shower when the blaze began and was barely able to grab more than a shirt, shorts, and her handbag. There is no resident fire department on this small Caribbean island, and the entire neighborhood was saved from disaster by the efforts of courageous locals.

Mami’s restaurant is a local and tourist favorite here. It has taken her years to save up and build her home and restaurant. The restaurant employs Mami and several of her adult children, even an occasional grandchild. This loss is absolutely devastating to the entire Old Bank community.

We set up this fundraiser to help her rebuild and to show her that the love and care she has shown to each and every guest she has served is noticed and valued.