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AREAS OF FOCUS
Supporting Education
Providing Clean Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Community economic development
ACTIVITY TYPE
A humanitarian project that will address community needs by improving the educational environment and which will produce sustainable, measurable outcomes.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
BENEFICIARY AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BENEFICIARY: The beneficiary is the school and community in Hato Chami. A few dozen kilometers inland from northern Panama's coast is the Hato Chami school. Set amid winding roads, green trees and stunning mountains, it has more than 1,200 students, most of whom hail from one of Panama's largest indigenous groups, the Ngabe.
The Comarca (similar to a tribal reservation in the USA) was created in 1997 when the Panamanian government finally granted land rights to the group. Their land covers approximately 6968 square kilometers comprising part of the vast Chiriqui, Verguas and Bocas del Toro mountain range.
Historically the Ngabe are subsistence people who rely on crop raising, small-scale
livestock production, hunting and fishing. They are considered to be one of the most impoverished of all indigenous Peoples in Panama. Lack of sufficient infrastructure and under provision of social services by the government add to the woes of the most rural of these areas.
Of the 1200 students attending school in Hato Chami, about 40 to 50 live so far into the Comarca that they walk to school on Sunday evening in order to spend the week in 2 converted buildings from an old mining contract. The buildings are made up of 6 to 8 rooms with 5 to 6 children working/studying in each room. The building also has 2 shower rooms and an open-air dining area.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project would entail modernizing the buildings to make them livable. This would be accomplished by upgrading & replacing the inbound water system to the shower room, adding/replacing shower heads to the showers and adding shower curtains for privacy. New mattresses and coverings will also be provided. Additional lighting will be installed to help with safety and security.
Other upgrades that are needed: replacing doors and windows to allow for safety against snakes and insect infestation and paint/paint supplies to repaint the interior walls and common areas.
Project needs were determined by community members and school staff. All work will be in coordination with the related community members. Community members will be encouraged to volunteer to help with the manual labor of the modernization.
SPONSOR: Rotary eClub District 5010 International (Alaska)
ROTARY MEMBER INVOLVEMENT: This project will be collaborative between the Rotary Club of Boquete, Panama and the Rotary eClub of District 5010 International.
At least four members of the eClub will work on the project: interacting with the Rotary Club of Boquete or going to the school to provide support and labor. Foundation Chair, Nancy Dodge, and her husband, Carl Bostek, will travel at their own expense to Panama the end of July 2025 to help with the project. Other club members will be encouraged to join them at their own expense.
A minimum of six members of the Boquete Club, including the Assistant District Governor, former/future club president Dave Nichols, will be providing transportation and labor to help insure the success of this project.. Mr. Nichols will oversee the entire project.
No club member or community member has a conflict of interest with this project nor
does anyone stand to make any financial gain.
PUBLICITY: The Rotary Club of Boquete in conjunction with the local Hato Chami community will publicize the project within the local region and through their District newsletter. Dr. Dodge will address the Boquete Rotary Club while in Panama. A plague showing a collaborative effect between the two clubs will be placed within the school.
FUNDING: The total project cost is $5000 USA. The eClub will provide $2500 and a match of $2500 is requested from D5010 district grant funds.
BUDGET: All purchased budget items, wherever possible, will be from local vendors after using a competitive bidding process. No Rotarian or community member will have a conflict of interest related to a vendor.
Items covered by project budget (these are estimates):
Replacement of school door and windows. $1800
Safety lighting in study room and common areas. $800
Paint and supplies for study room and common areas. $500
Upgrading water filtration system with new filters. $500
Updating showers with new shower heads/faucets. $200
20 new mattresses and bedding (napping area for young children). $1200
TIMELINE: 15 July 2025 to 15 March 2026
EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS SUSTAINIBILITY: School staff under the supervision of the principal, will oversee the continuation and maintenance of the upgrades. No part of the project will generate expenses to Rotary for ongoing upkeep. The school has a working relationship with the Rotary Club of Boquete so any future communications will be with them.
All items purchased for this grant will be the property of the school. Any materials and/or equipment is deemed to be culturally appropriate and conform to the communities standards.
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