Projects That Matter

The Manchichi Program

For indigenous women and children in Panama, the disparities in health access and health outcomes translate into alarmingly high mortality and injury. In fact, 3 X higher than average for indigenous women in Latin America. The “Ngäbe Buglé, with 156,747 inhabitants (2010 census), are among the most impoverished and least medically served in the country (multidimensional poverty index score of 0.469); highest of all the regions in the country. Lack of access to prenatal care has been identified as a main cause of injury and mortality; >90% preventable. Approximately 40% of pregnant women receive no prenatal care and 60% of births occur at home.

Care is generally provided by traditional midwives (Comadronas); most lacking formal training and diagnostic tools.

The Manchichi program is based on Phalarope’s Ixchel Midwife Program successfully implemented in 8 rural Mayan communities in Guatemala. Attesting to the encouraging results, this Rotary supported project has now expanded to 13 additional communities. The program is unique in that it focuses attention on the traditional midwives in these communities who become equipped and trained in the use of basic diagnostics and care. They learn how to identify signs, symptoms, and underlying causes that put the pregnant women and their babies at risk. These communities then have a corps of highly effective, community-based sentinels in constant vigilance for the health of mothers and infants.

Continue Reading about the Manchichi Program HERE

Mi Connexion

Providing tablets to students who do not have connectivity to WiFe in order to participate in school lessons online due to the pandemic. Our 10″ tablets with SIM cards fills the needs of these students now. We will also promote and teach educators, teachers, school directors as well as parents how to use free online learning to augment student’s curriculum. This will not be implemented until school reopen. At the moment we have purchased 125 tablets to give to students.

Hogar Trisker

Hogar Trisker is one of the institutions in Boquete that Rotario de Boquete has adopted. We provide on-going maintenance service for their water system, leaky roofs, uncovered manholes and even provide tablets for students.

Scholarships

Every year we search for talented students who do not have the ability to pay for university, based on merits. We provide for their tuition and a stipend for transportation. At the moment we have 10 recipients.

Pandemic Project 2020

Rotary in partnership with local community activist raised over $12K to purchase food to be sent out to the Comarcas and to local Boquete people who were quarantined and could not work nor go out to purchase food.

Other Pojects

In 2020, Rotary International concentrated on conservation. Rotario de Boquete, with some grand money from Rotary International built 14 robust metal receptors and gifted them to the mayor of Boquete. He will be stalling Boquete’s first trash separation receptors with them. They will be highly recognizable by the Rotary Wheel painted on each can.