Approximately 82% of Indigenous youth in Ngabe-Bugle communities in Panama are not able to complete high school. Located in very remote areas of the country with a 92% poverty rate, families cannot afford the costs of transportation, room and board, uniforms, technology, and other supplies required for their teenagers to attend middle school and high school. By donating to Native Future, you will directly support 29 Indigenous youth in overcoming these obstacles to pursuing their education.
The Ngabe-Bugle Indigenous peoples of Panama have experienced decades of hardship after being pushed onto remote, resource-poor land. This displacement has resulted in a lack of basic human development services and prevents their continued education perpetuating cycles of illiteracy and poverty in Ngabe-Bugle communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these educational disparities as most families cannot access the necessary technology to continue their learning remotely.
Native Future scholarships help Ngabe-Bugle students and their families cover the costs of attending middle and high school, continuing their education, and meeting their personal and professional development goals. Through our local partnership with the Women's Cooperative of Buenos Aires, the funds raised provide direct financial assistance to cover transportation and educational supplies for the 29 cooperative members and their youth.
Former scholarship recipient, Valeria, exemplifies the long-term impact of your donation. Once told that she didn't deserve to continue her studies; today, Valeria is completing her college education. An artisan and mother, Valeria continues her education because "I fight for the future of my beautiful daughter who depends on me one hundred percent." Your investment in the education of Indigenous youth creates new cycles of growth and opportunity in the cooperative and the community.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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