Fight Poverty: Educate Women in Panama

As part of Fundación Calicanto’s ongoing mission to empower socially vulnerable women, our 2024-2026 expansion strategy prioritizes deepening our presence in regions with the highest socio-economic challenges, such as the province of Colón, which accounts for 12% of Panama’s unemployment. Strengthening our presence in areas like Colón is a critical milestone toward our broader goals. In Colón, we have identified not only a significant need for employability initiatives but also a resilient community eager for opportunities to transform their lives. By focusing on this region, we aim to unlock potential and provide transformative opportunities that empower individuals to reshape their futures and contribute to broader societal progress.

In our first report of the year, we highlighted this ambition to extend our geographic reach by setting objectives in key locations. Establishing a strong foundation in Colón required meticulous recruitment efforts, holistic organizational planning, and most importantly, a strategic partnership that would enable us to impact more than 100 individuals this year.

Thanks to the support of a prominent local entity, we have successfully implemented our first CAPTA program in Colón, graduating 38 women. The second cohort, comprising 37 women, is currently underway, and we are on track to deliver one more program before the year ends.

Our approach is centered around supporting mothers and caregivers of students from educational centers that serve low-income, high-achieving adolescents. We firmly believe that the development of young people is most effective when their family environment is also empowered and aligned with their growth. By offering training opportunities to these mothers, we not only provide them with tools for personal and economic advancement but also create a stronger support system for their children.

When parents are included in the process of development and learning, they are better equipped to understand, support, and nurture their child’s aspirations. This integrated family approach ensures that while adolescents see the possibility of a better future, their parents simultaneously gain the skills and perspective necessary to accompany and guide their children through the journey. It is not just about economic improvement but about fostering an environment where the entire family grows together, building mutual understanding and a shared vision for progress.

CAPTA cohort concluded the initial phase of our developmental initiative. The graduates received training in a wide range of topics, including:

• Adaptability to Change
• Effective Communication
• Self-Esteem Building
• Gender and Violence Prevention
• Job Search Strategies
• Resume Writing
• Job Interview Techniques
• Labor Rights Awareness

The resilience, growth, and determination we’ve witnessed in these women are truly inspiring. As we continue our journey, our focus remains on delivering high-impact programs that create lasting change, not only in the lives of individual participants but across entire communities.

We are deeply grateful for the support of GlobalGiving and our other partners, whose trust and resources enable us to scale these efforts. Together, we are creating pathways for transformation, one community at a time.

Links:

• Website

The rapid proliferation of hotels and commercial establishments in Panama's historic Casco Antiguo is undeniably a positive development, but it also brings to light the pervasive issue of gentrification. As the area experiences significant transformation, it becomes increasingly imperative to ensure that the local residents are not left behind. It's crucial to equip the people with the skills necessary to actively participate in this burgeoning development, thus avoiding marginalization. 

This scenario underscores the importance of tailored training programs designed to bridge the gap and ensure inclusivity. Particularly noteworthy is the opportunity these endeavors present for women, who can make substantial contributions to various sectors such as tourism, hotels, gastronomy, and general services. 

The contrasts between the developed area of Casco Antiguo in Panama and its surrounding areas are stark and emblematic of the broader issue of uneven development. Amidst these disparities we recognized a huge potential. The residents of these surrounding areas possess invaluable skills, talents, and entrepreneurial spirit that, if nurtured and supported, could contribute significantly to the ongoing development of Casco Antiguo and beyond. By providing proper support, training, and opportunities, these individuals could become active participants in the local economy, driving innovation, fostering community resilience, and enhancing overall prosperity.

It is against this backdrop that, when presented with the opportunity to select a community for the implementation of a new CAPTA program, we opted to extend the invitation to women residing in Casco Anitguo and its surrounding areas. In March, we inaugurated the program with 45 remarkable women who demonstrated unwavering commitment, resilience, diligence, and dedication to successfully completing a rigorous 7-week job training program.

The pioneering efforts of Fundación Calicanto, rooted in Casco Antiguo, further emphasize this commitment to community empowerment. As the foundation's inaugural community, Casco Antiguo holds a special significance, not only for its historical value but also as the birthplace of the foundation's mission. Thus, the ongoing efforts to uplift the population of Casco Antiguo and its surrounding areas are not only a tremendous honor but also a source of great excitement for our team, highlighting the profound impact that Fundación Calicanto has on human capital development in Casco Antiguo.

Today, a new CAPTA cohort concluded the initial phase of our developmental initiative, graduating from CAPTA. Among the diverse range of training topics they received were:

• Adaptability to Change 
• Effective Communication
• Self-esteem
• Gender and Violence prevention
• Job Search 
• Resume writing
• Job Interview 
• Labor Rights

We are thrilled to witness a fresh group of women feeling more confident, resilient, and empowered to continue learning and standing on their own two feet. With 73 graduating cohorts behind us, we are eagerly gearing up to launch another program—now aiming for number 74. Stay tuned, as we'll soon share exciting news about yet another graduation.

Links:

• Website