Marina Benigno and her family crossed over from central Nicaragua to settle at Monkey Point. (text of audio follows photo)

Narrator

But most people welcome the dry canal for the jobs and prosperity they hope it will bring.

Man [surf in background]

That is our answer, that's what we need. Right now we débil [weak], we need help. We no have money, we don't have gas, we don't have boat. We finished, we don't have no strength. Right now we need somebody help we, we need somebody give we hand.

Marina Benigno

Sí, eso para mí, sería bien, ¿verdad? porque hay unos trabajos, y pasaría la vida mejor, digo yo.
Yes, it seems to me it would be a good thing, you know, because there would be some jobs, life would be better, I'd say.

Woman

Well, people from here probably really could get work to wash, to cook, things like that, because you know, there will be just ... And who knows to handle pencil and paper, too. Right? Sure. But the people out here mostly they be farming, cultivos.

Narration and interviews by Peter Costantini