Fight Poverty: Educate Women in Panama

At Fundación Calicanto, we believe that true community development begins within the family. This is also the vision championed by the Mejorando Mi Comunidad initiative, from Banco General: placing families at the heart of every strategy for social transformation. That is why we work closely with mothers and fathers, guiding them through personal and economic training processes so they can become positive role models and provide their children with safer environments filled with possibilities.

When an adult strengthens their self-esteem, expands their employment opportunities, and learns to better manage their emotions, the impact resonates throughout the home: in the confidence of children, in stronger family bonds, and in the hope of a community that recognizes its own capacity to grow and move forward.

Impact in the Community

Since 2022, we have implemented 11 programs in Juan Díaz, directly transforming the lives of more than 500 families. In the past year alone, over 80 adults participated in CAPTA training processes, strengthening their self-confidence and expanding their opportunities for employment or for consolidating small businesses.

But the impact goes far beyond the classroom. Families share with us how they have improved communication at home, learned to resolve conflicts with greater calm, and organized their household finances more effectively. These changes, though they begin within each home, ripple through the community — weaving networks of support that sustain well-being and open the door to a brighter future for all.

Looking Ahead

The challenge and opportunity lie in continuing to strengthen local networks, to prioritize mental health as a foundation for economic development, and to create more pathways to employability for women and men in Juan Díaz. Through community co-management, the support of strategic allies, and the commitment of our team, we reaffirm every day that when support arrives in a timely and integrated way, it transforms lives and communities.

Links:

• Website

As we move through 2025, we are beginning to see the fruits of a transformational 2024— a year in which Fundación Calicanto redesigned its internal processes, renewed the content of its core programs, and developed a robust training model to prepare new local teams for community-based implementation.

So far this year, we have trained three teams, each composed of four dedicated individuals, now ready to lead programs in Colón, Casco Antiguo, and Juan Díaz. These teams are not only technically prepared, but they are also rooted in the very communities they serve. This local connection is key: it allows for greater trust, cultural understanding, and long-term impact in each neighborhood.

Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our community footprint beyond our training programs. With new initiatives on the horizon—such as a course focused on sexual and reproductive health for women, as well as a dedicated module on psychological well-being during motherhood—we aim to address critical gaps in health education and emotional support that are often overlooked in vulnerable communities.

This year is about increasing our presence and relevance in each community we serve. We’re building not just programs, but a platform for true local development and empowerment. To strengthen this foundation, we hosted community seminars with local leaders in each region, creating spaces for dialogue, co-creation, and mutual learning. These sessions allowed us to align our interventions with the specific needs and priorities of each neighborhood. We also began designing integrated service days—community-driven events where participants access not only training, but also tools and services that enhance their family and community well-being.

Stay tuned—2025 is just getting started, and so are we. With every step, we’re building stronger communities, deeper connections, and lasting change.

Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/fundacioncalicanto/
• https://www.fundacioncalicanto.org