A Massachusetts couple who moved to an off-grid farm in Panama reveal they have no idea if they can return to their home as the country is ‘in ruins’ amid angry protests
A US couple who moved to Panama to fulfill their dream of owning an off-grid farm have revealed they are now afraid to return due to the angry mining protests currently taking place.
Kaylee Dubeau and Jordan Saglio were set to return to their Central American homestead with their two-year-old daughter Sadie on November 20 after completing a road trip across the US, but they revealed in their latest Youtube videos that they have been warned to stay away while the region is ‘in ruins’.
Protests have been going on in Panama for weeks against First Quantum’s Canadian government-approved contract for a $10 billion copper mine, with some protests blocking access to the mine.
In Kaylee and Jordan’s video clips, they reveal that friends in Panama are now resorting to buying illegal gas for their cars and supermarkets are running low on stock, with toilet paper being the first to go.
Kaylee Dubeau and Jordan Saglio were scheduled to return to their Central American homestead with their two-year-old daughter Sadie on November 20 after completing a road trip across the US.
In Kaylee and Jordan’s video clips, they reveal that friends in Panama are now resorting to buying illegal gas for their cars and supermarkets are running low on stock
The couple’s friend, Rodrigo, says over the loudspeaker in one scene: “It’s quite difficult to go into town to go to supermarkets with a limited amount of gas.”
‘We are already starting to see that the aisles are almost empty. Toilet paper was gone at first… no meat….
‘Today we had to buy gas illegally. I ended up paying $120 for 10 gallons of gas… This thing is crazy. Don’t come, stay there!’
Kaylee and Jordan, from Massachusetts, traveled through Central America in a converted school bus for years before settling on the green slopes of western Panama.
The couple – who have more than 390,000 subscribers – bought a 2.5-hectare plot of land on the outskirts of Boquete for $75,000 four years ago and have since created a farm while welcoming their first child, Sadie.
When they moved to the empty lot, the couple had to build everything from scratch before they could finally move out of their school bus.
To earn a living, the couple began running a coffee shop and selling beans sourced from local farmers. They also started monetizing their YouTube channel.
While Instagram posts show them living the ‘dream life’, a series of candid YouTubes have revealed the tougher parts of their off-grid lifestyle, including living without a proper toilet for six years and always getting stuck with higher prices in Panama because they are foreigners considered.
Kaylee and Jordan, from Massachusetts, traveled through Central America in a converted school bus for years before settling on the green slopes of western Panama
The couple has over 390,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel
To earn a living, the couple runs a coffee shop and sells beans sourced from local farmers. They also have a popular YouTube channel
The couple has been in America in recent months after setting themselves the challenge of traveling to 48 states in an Airstream in 48 days.
Now, near the end of their adventure, they still don’t know if they will return to Panama.
In one clip, Jordan says he even “kinda” regrets buying land there, as this is the third time protests have taken place in the country.
He addresses the situation and explains to the viewers: ‘I’m not going to lie and say no. I don’t regret buying land in Panama.
‘This is the third time this has happened. [It’s] not a place you want to go right now… there is no gasoline, there is a black gasoline market of people importing it legally.
“There’s no propane, food is scarce, these are just desperate times. Especially when you have a baby… you want your home to feel comfortable.
“You don’t want to worry about there being no food, you don’t want to worry about not being able to drive or get out if you have to because all the roads are closed.”
Jordan says that while he knows protests are happening around the world, they are even harder to combat in Panama.
Four years ago they bought a 2.5-hectare plot of land on the outskirts of Boquete for $75,000.
Since then, they have created a farm while welcoming their first child
While Instagram posts show them living the ‘dream life’, a series of candid YouTubes reveal the tougher parts of their off-grid lifestyle, including living without a proper toilet for six years
The couple had to build everything from scratch before they could get off their school bus
Kaylee poses next to their beloved school bus, which served as their home for years
This is because, he explains, there is “one main road and closing that road essentially takes everything away from everyone.”
The father-of-one concludes: “So there’s a bit of concern about going back there and what things will look like when November 20th comes and it’s time to go back. We’re just going to keep an eye on it.’
To make matters worse, the couple received news that their dog, Lola, had suffered a seizure on their farm in Panama, which only intensified their desire to return home.
After airing their grievances, the couple has received hundreds of messages from supportive fans.
One viewer wrote: ‘Y’all stay safe and just wait for Panama to calm down. Hopefully that happens soon and you can all go home.’
Another commenter mused: ‘Sad to hear about the unrest in Panama. Hopefully the government will hear the voices of the people and do what is right!’