The Enoch Olinga College
of Intercultural Studies, Inc.(ENOCIS)

The Sons of David Foundation (SOD), the creator of the Enoch Olinga College of Intercultural Studies, Inc. (ENOCIS) has an interesting and convoluted history, starting after the successful completion of the National Institute for Migration & Population Services (NIMPS), better known in the United States as, the Baha'i Refugee Program and beginning with a personal invitation by Manuel Antonio Noriega, in 1984, to return to Panama and undertake socio economic development projects with the Guaymi Indians.

Thus was born, the National Institute for International Aid & Development (NIIAD). A US not for profit organization created to implement the "Guaymi Vocational Educational Project", a secondary vocational education program targeted towards agricultural development, the use of technologically, advanced storage systems (silos) and market strategies so the Guaymi could sell their produce when the prices were high and not be constrained by pricing related to supply and demand. The Guaymi could then sell their produce when demand was high, supply low therefore receiving a higher income for their harvest.

A series of preceptorial schools were developed in the remote areas of the Comarca Ngobe Bugle offering minimal educational opportunities to those who, would otherwise, have none. This program was eventually taken over and managed by the Ministry of Education converting these temporary facilities into recognized schools of the nation.

NIIAD continued developing scholarship programs on a small scale until 1992 when it began developing an on line university program. Collaborating with the United States Sports Academy from Mobile, Alabama together with the University of Panama in 1996, when we conducted the first on line distance learning course in the Republic of Panama and in 1997 graduated the first class of 30 students from its continuing education program.

The lack of an appropriate partnership with a bona fide US accredited university slowed the progress of the development of the online university program for almost ten years.

In an effort to safeguard the National Institute's limited resources for social development, the Sons of David Foundation (SOD) was created to carry forth the projects of socio and economic development of the indigenous communities of Panama. With the assistance of the Indian Affairs Office of the Ministry of Government and Justice, one of SOD�s first projects was Bueno Net Services (BNS), a communication company created to benefit single indigenous mothers. BNS was the first company legally registered with the Government of Panama to resell communications services. With the assistance of Cable & Wireless and BellSouth, BNS provided more than 200 jobs over a three-year period from 2003 through 2005.

As well, providing over 200 jobs to the indigenous community over a three-year period of time, BNS provided numerous scholarships to the indigenous population, including one to study in India for several months. BNS purchased uniforms and school supplies for exceptional students in the Comarcas of the country. Together with MultiCredit Bank and INAFORP, BNS provided training for more than 10 workers to become independent entrepreneurs, providing them the training, guidance and seed capital to begin their own small businesses, again giving the disenfranchised the opportunity to participate in the economy of Panama.

In 2004 flooding of the Rio Cabra, in Pacora, left many of the local indigenous residents homeless, BNS mobilized providing temporary shelter, food and clothing those affected by the flood.

as the Foundation was transitioning BNS into new projects, a ten-year search for an appropriate credible match for the Indigenous On Line University was found. Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in Fort Valley, Georgia is a normal school with a principally black student population. Their principal areas of study are agriculture specializing in reforestation, aquaculture, and medicinal plants.

Two of the biggest problems that exist in the world today are deforestation and the loss of the rainforests supporting our global watershed and the corresponding effects of global warming and the constant and persistent incursion of the Latino community of the indigenous reservations delineated by law, creating a high level of racial tension and conflict. Cont'd