Building a Sustainable Future for Women and Children

As impoverished communities are most at risk for disease, the viral spread of COVID-19 posed a new threat to third-world Panama, resulting in lockdown and social distancing. Moving schooling online in mere weeks is a challenge in the best circumstances, but when that schooling is impeded further by a lack of electricity and no access to digital devices, children have no choice but to stop going to school altogether, widening an already dangerous achievement gap. When virus is curbed, and the world begins to open up again – the children will fall behind in their learning programs.

Uplifting women and children lie at the heart of DTCare and we believe that education is a step toward a better life. We appointed Mr Daniel Cedeño, an experienced teacher, to head our Panama education program and provide young mothers and children residing at the Home the opportunity to learn fundamental literacy and math skills. After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and schools reopened, the DTCare school began offering a pre-school program and evening classes so that children in Monte Lirio have greater access to quality education and additional learning resources.

Medical Care for All

The rural population in Panama has limited access to essential services such as hospitals and schools. These underserved communities are at greater risk for illness and disease. Malnutrition resulting from hunger and an insufficient diet (mainly consisting of staple foods and fruits like bananas) leads to a severe lack of essential vitamins and minerals that stunts child growth and weaken the human immune system. DTCare partnered with AGIS Medical Center, a local health care provider, to ensure that children in the Monte Lirio region could receive the medical checkups, vaccines, and treatments needed.