P.O.P.

CONTENT PAGE No.

REPUBLIC OF PANAMA — CULTURAL BACKGROUND 3
TRAVEL
Passport, Visas, Health Precautions 6
Insurance, Pack your Bags 7
Food and Accommodations, Upon your Arrival 8
RULES 9
TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 10
GENERAL ITINERARY 11
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND (CIF) 12
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Profile 13
Important Information 14
Images 15
PARTNER’S INFORMATION 16
CONTACT INFO 17

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Official Name: Republic of Panama.
Capital: Panama City
Nationality: Panamanian
Population: 3,410,676 (2010 est.)
Land Area: 29,340 sq mi (75,991 sq
Km)
Age Distribution (%): 0-14 years
37.0%, 15-59 years 56.3%, 60+ years
6.7%
POLITICAL DIVISION
There are 9 provinces and 7 indige-
nous communities (distributed in 4
comarcas)
Comarcas are “indigenous reserves”
where 7 indigenous groups in Pana-
ma reside. The 7 indigenous groups
are: Kuna, Ngöbe, Buglé, Emberá,
Wounaan, Bri Bri and Naso.
The comarca de Kuna Yala, better
known as “San Blas” by foreigners, is
home to the Kuna. They run the
islands of San Blas with minimal
interference from the national go-
The “Pollera” is Panama’s
National Dress. The “Montuno” is
Panama’s National Males outfit.
GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION
Literacy Rate: 90%
Weather: The weather is tropical,
and uniform throughout the year.
The average temperature is 27°C.
Panama is located in between Co-
lombia (W) and Costa Rica (E), bor-
dering the Caribbean Sea (N) and the
Pacific Ocean. (S)
Panama is a constitutional democra-
cy with an executive branch led by a
president who is elected to a 5-year
term, a unicameral legislature, and
judicial branch. The country is divi-
vernment. Known for their tenacity and ingenuity, they enjoy one of the
greatest degrees of political autonomy of any indigenous group in Latin Ame-
rica.
Panama’s National Flower: “Holly
Spirit Flower” (notice inside it
looks like it has a dove)
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ded into 9 provinces and 4 territo-
ries called comarcas. Panama has a
rapidly developing economy but
suffers from a weak, non-
transparent judiciary. Outside the
Panama City area, which has many
first-class hotels and restaurants,
tourist facilities vary in quality. The
U.S. dollar is the paper currency of
Panama, and is also referred to as
the Panama Balboa. Panama mints
its own coinage.
Red Color stands for the blood of our
leaders who fought for the independ-
ence. The red star stands for the lib-
eral party. The blue color stands for
the seas we have. The blue star
stands for the conservative party.
2

Panama’s Shield or Armors
GOOD TO KNOW FACTS
Panama has the second most un-
equal income distribution in Latin
America.
About 30% of the population lives in
poverty, primarily concentrated in
rural areas. The wealthiest 20% of
Panamanians control more than 50%
of the country's wealth, while the
poorest 40% only control 12%.
Colon, Panama’s second largest city,
has the highest rates of poverty and
“LA INVASIÓN” - DECEMBER 20TH, 1989
The official United States justifica-
tion for the invasion was articulated
by President George H. W. Bush on
the morning of December 20, 1989,
a few hours after the start of the
operation. President Bush listed four
reasons for the invasion:
- Safeguarding the lives of U.S. citi-
Panama’s National Bird
The Harpy Eagle
crime in the country. In Colon, un-
employment is estimated to be 50%
among youth between the ages of
15 to 25.
The poorest group of people is the
indigenous native people, who make
up only 8% of the population. This
minority group lives in remote areas
of the country where access to edu-
cation and health care is limited.
About 17% of the overall population
zens in Panama. In his statement,
Bush claimed that Noriega had de-
clared that a state of war existed
between the United States and Pa-
nama and that he also threatened
the lives of the approximately
35,000 US citizens living there. There
had been numerous clashes be-
tween U.S. and Panamanian forces;
one US Marine had been killed a few
days earlier and several incidents of
harassment of US citizens had taken
place.
- Defending democracy and human
rights in Panama.
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The “Dirty Devils”
(Diablicos Sucios)
is undernourished and almost half of
all Panamanian children are poor.
Overall, 7.4% of the population is
living on less than $1 a day.
According to Transparency Interna-
tional’s Corruption Perceptions In-
dex, Panama is ranked 84 out of 163
countries.
Major Exports include: Banana,
shrimp, sugar and coffee.
- Combating drug trafficking. Pa-
nama had become a center for drug
money laundering and a transit
point for drug trafficking to the
United States and Europe.
- Protecting the integrity of the
Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Members
of Congress and others in the U.S.
political establishment claimed that
Noriega threatened the neutrality of
the Panama Canal and that the
United States had the right under
the treaties to intervene militarily to
protect the Panama canal.
3
 P.O.P.

Key Events in Panama

YEAR HIGHLIGHT
Panama becomes independent of Spain, but joins the confederacy of Gran Colombia, which also comprises Co-
1821
lombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
1830 Panama becomes part of Colombia following the collapse of Gran Colombia.
1846 Panama signs treaty with US allowing it to build a railway across the isthmus.
Panama splits from Colombia and becomes fully independent. US buys rights to build Panama Canal and is given
1903
control of the Canal Zone in perpetuity.
1914 Panama Canal completed.
1939 Panama ceases to be a US protectorate.
General Omar Torrijos Herrera, the National Guard chief, overthrows the elected president and imposes a dicta-
1968-81
torship.
1981 Torrijos dies in plane crash.
Former intelligence chief and one-time US Central Intelligence Agency informant Manuel Noriega becomes
1983 head of the National Guard, builds up the size of the force, which he renames the Panama Defense Forces, and
greatly increases its power over Panama's political and economic life.
1988 US charges Noriega with drug smuggling; Noriega declares state of emergency in the wake of a failed coup.
Opposition wins parliamentary elections, but Noriega declares results invalid. Noriega declares "state of war" in
1989 the face of increased threats by Washington. US invades Panama, ousts Noriega and replaces him with Gui-
llermo Endara.
1991 Parliament approves constitutional reforms, including abolition of standing army; privatisation begins.
US court finds Noriega guilty of drug offences and sentences him to 40 years imprisonment, to be served in a US
1992
prison.
1999 Mireya Moscoso becomes Panama's first woman president.
Panama takes full control of the Panama Canal, ending nearly a century of American jurisdiction over one of the
1999
world's most strategic waterways.
2004 Panama Canal earns record revenues of $1 billion for the financial year.
Voters in a referendum back a $5.2bn plan to upgrade the Panama Canal. The scheme aims to double the capac-
2006
ity of the waterway.
2006 Panama and the US agree on a free trade deal.
2007 Work to widen Panama Canal begins.
A US federal appeals court says Panama's ex-leader, Manuel Noriega, can be extradited to France. Noriega was
2009
released from a Florida prison in September 2008 after serving a 17-year sentence for drug trafficking.

Source: BBC News

4

PANAMA IS VERY SAFE COMPARED TO
OTHER CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES
ies, brigade members should
take precautions against theft,
stick to well-traveled areas and
be alert to pickpockets. Do not
display unnecessary signs of af-
fluence or carry large of sums of
cash, and be aware of your sur-
Ave. Balboa, Panama City
roundings when using ATMs in
public areas. Demonstrations and
Although the security situation is protest marches over various
stable, Brigade members should social and political issues occa-
exercise caution due to high sionally occur in Panama City,
crime rates. As in most large cit- especially near the state univer-
PASSPORTS & VISAS
You need an passport. Leave one copy with a
up-to-date trusted individual at your univer-
passport (at sity (i.e. an advisor) so that it can
least six be faxed to you in case you lose
m o n t h s the original. Stash one copy in
valid ) to your wallet and have it on you at
travel to Pa- all times.
nama –check
If you have a US Passport you
the expiration
don't need a Visa. If you don’t,
date! Before leaving, make two
please visit the following website
copies of the inside page of your
to make sure you
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
vice on vaccinations and health
precautions before leaving the
states. If you have a medical con-
dition, you should also share
your travel plans with any doc-
tors you are currently seeing for
Dengue mosquito
other medical reasons.
You should always check with
DON´T FORGET YOUR MOSQUITO REPELENT
your personal physician for ad-
(DEET > 30%)
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sity, and on main streets and
highways. Brigades are always
accompanied by local guides and
we advise members to stick to-
gether while exploring the city.
For the latest security informa-
tion, U.S. citizens traveling abro-
ad should regularly monitor the
Department of State's Bureau of
Consular Affairs' website, which
contains current the Travel War-
nings and Travel Alerts.
have the correct visa:
www.embassyofpanama.org/
cms/immigration3.php
CARRY A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT
WITH YOU EVERYTIME WE MOVE FROM
PLACE TO PLACE.
Vaccines our volunteers need:
 Hepatitis A
 Hepatitis B
 Tetanus
 Typhoid
 Malaria
Every volunteer should obtain Typ-
hoid and oral Malaria vaccines.
Hepatitis A, B, and tetanus
5

vaccinations should already have
been received if attending school
in the U.S., however some may
need these as well.
If you need HEP A and HEP B,
they are given in doses that are
INSURANCE
It is mandatory that all travelers
purchase travel insurance that
includes coverage for medical
attention and medical evacuation
PACK YOUR BAGS!
Pack light, yet remember the
essentials.
P.O.P.
months apart, so you will need as cessary vaccinations, please see
much time as possible to comple- the CDC's website:
te these. However, if only one or http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
two doses are received before destinations/panama.aspx
departure for Panama, this is
okay, and they should receive the
final dose(s) upon return to the GLOBAL BRIGADES MAINTAINS AN
U.S. Vaccinations can usually be EMERGENCY PLAN FOR EACH BRIGADE,
obtained at the university health MEANING ACCESS TO A LOCAL CLINIC,
clinic, through each volunteer’s HOSPITAL AND AVAILABLE PHYSICIAN IS
personal health care provider, or SECURED PRIOR TO CONFIRMING A
through a travel clinic. PROJECT SITE.
For more information about ne-
while on their Brigade. GB Travel  $100,000 Emergency Medical
will handle the arrangements for Transportation
this policy for all Brigaders. Tra-  24-hour Hotline Assistance
vel insurance is over and above
the price of the air ticket and is
non-refundable once paid.
Insurance Cost: $35 per person
Coverage:
 $25,000 Emergency Medical/
Dental Coverage
Passport (Original & 2 copies) Shorts & t-shirts
Other important documents (e.g. Camera/ Video camera
Visas—if needed)
Water bottle
Spending money ($200 should be
Shower sandals, towel, toiletries
plenty)
Swim suit (It’s a must!)
Bug spray (>30% deet)
Closed-toed shoes (sneakers)
Sleeping bag, blanket & flashlight.
Pen and notebook
Light rainy jackets
Long-sleeves shirt & below-the-
Lightweight pants, light sweatshirt
knee pants for Indigenous Meetings
Hat, sunglasses, sun block (if applicable).
Contact your travel advisor for the lost baggage policy.
6

Panama is hot,
humid, and
wet. When on
community
visits, what-
ever you wear
may get wet, muddy, and dirty–
so don’t bring your favorite
jeans.
In the city you’ll want to look
presentable, but there is no need
for high heels, expensive jewelry,
or formal clothes.
Leave hair dryers and most major
electronics (iPods are O.K.) at
FOOD & ACCOMMODATIONS
While in the city, lunches/dinners
will be either prepared, ordered in
or in a restaurant type setting. While
in the rural community, traditional
UPON YOUR ARRIVAL
Make sure you keep your passport
and other important documents in a
ziplock bag and in a secured place.
Your emergency contact will be noti-
fied by email of your safe arrival in
Panama.
Every student will receive an wallet-
sized card with emergency contact
numbers and accommodations’ ad-
dresses of the hostel to keep you on
P.O.P.
PACKING TIPS
home. always in your carry-on luggage.
Be sure to follow security guide-
Try to pack light. A large back-
lines, if the medicines are liquids.
pack or duffle bag should provide
plenty of room for everything Bring some plastic zip-lock bags
that you need to bring. to keep your personal belong-
ings (e.g. camera, wallet) dry.
We may be moving back and
forth daily between your accom- Leave some room in your bag to
modations and the project site, bring presents home!
so you may want to bring a small
backpack for day trips. SMALL BACKPACKS OR HANDBAGS COME
HANDY WHEN MOVING AROUND WITH
Medicine: keep them in their
VALUABLE BELONGINGS OR ESSENTIALS.
original prescription bottles and
Panamanian food (e.i. rice, chicken, tions, like the community’s school
vegetables) will be served. If you or another safe place to sleep and
have any special needs (i.e. vegeta- keep the personal belongings. All
rian or allergies), please notify a Bri- accommodations are pre-checked
gade staff as soon as possible. for safety, cleanliness, amenities,
access to project site and emergency
While in the city, brigaders will be
needs.
staying at Hostal Doña Victoria, loca-
ted in Cerro Campana, 45 minutes
away from the center of the city.
Tel.: +507 6618-8370
While in the community, the brigade
will be staying at local accommoda-
while in Panama. generally two adult advisors on each
brigade. A trained Global Brigades
Most U.S. cellular phones do not
Coordinator will lead the week-long
work in Panama unless an interna-
brigade, as well as a trained logistics
tional phone plan is pre-arranged.
coordinator.
All transportation and lodging is pro-
Water is potable in Panama City, and
vided. Global Brigades ensures that
Brigaders will always have access to
you are taken to and from lodging,
safe drinking water during communi-
projects sites and any other brigade
ty visits.
activities conveniently and safely.
There will always be at least one and
7

Brigaders! Your are just a few months
away from living this gratifying and
adventurous experience! Here are a
few ground rules for you to always
keep in mind.
FOLLOW THE ALCOHOL POLICY
It is completely prohibited to drink
alcohol while in the community. We
do not want to have any issue or an
uncomfortable moment. We can’t
control situations when alcohol is
involved and this can cause irreversi-
ble damage to the relationship our
organization has with our partners,
schools, brigaders and community
members.
Carrying liquor with you during the
brigade is prohibited.
Working with rural communities in
Panama can be a challenge. This is
not because they are unwilling to
cooperate, but it more so because of
their cultural tradition. Fortunately,
this is not a huge obstacle.
Here are a few pointers to follow in
order to be culturally sensitive.
INITIATIVE Take the initiative to
make contact with the community,
even if language is a problem at first.
(Remember you will count with a
TOP OF MIND
REACH OUT TO LEADERSHIP
Every brigade will be assigned a bri-
gade coordinator and interpreter.
GB staff has been previously trained
to carry-out brigades according to
their specific roles and responsibili-
ties.
Reach out to your Brigade Coordina-
tor for itinerary, workshops, food/
medication allergies and overall bri-
gade issues.
Reach out to your interpreter for
cultural sensitivity and language
issues.
BE CAUTIOUS
Panama is a tropical-rainforest coun-
try, this means we have many differ-
ent species of animals anywhere
you go. Regardless of if you’re in the
countryside, the jungle or on an is-
land, DO NOT walk around by your-
self without letting anyone know –
especially at night.
Snakes like to go out at night and
they are not necessarily the friendly
ones.
REMEMBER: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
interpreters)
RESPECT Show respect for their cul-
ture and language. Ask yourself, "How
would I feel if I were in their shoes?"
NAMES Learn how to pronounce
names correctly (even if it is in dia-
lect). Their name is as important to
them as yours is to you.
FEELINGS Be sensitive to their feelings
about their homeland. Developing
nations are not as poor, backward or
uneducated as it sometimes assumed.
P.O.P.
HANDLE YOUR TIME
Time at the community will go faster
than you think!
It is of utmost importance that the
brigade handles time efficiently and
wisely. Debrief sessions during the
night can and will extend for many
hours. Take advantage of this free
time to prepare and to get together
for your workshops.
Be considerate to your team and the
community members; everyone's
punctuality is requested. Even when
the locals do not share this best
STICK IN GROUP
Always stay with the group. It is im-
portant that we stick together so
that we avoid having anyone get lost
–this includes city or country side. If
we’re all together, it’s safer.
While at the city tour, inform your
coordinator if you are separating
from the group to go the bathroom.
AUTHENTICITY Be yourself. Show
our interest & that you care about
them as people and are here to
learn and help.
LISTEN Take time to listen. You will
be amazed by the reasons behind
many of their decisions.
8

There are many things you can do to
prepare for your brigade! You will
stay in the community for 5 days and
you will need to handle your time
efficiently to have as much impact as
possible with your workshops.
INFO SESSIONS & CONFERENCE CALLS
Attend all conference Calls hosted
by the Global Brigades Staff. Valu-
able information will be shared dur-
ing these calls that you will later
need during the brigade.
GB Staff will cover four main topics
via conference calls with the brigad-
ers.
First Topic: Our advising team will
host conference calls with brigaders
to help start the club and prepare
everyone for the brigade.
KEEP THIS IN MIND DURING THE BRIGADE!
TEST ALL ASSUMPTIONS
Listen to the community members and ask
them questions! Don't take any informa-
tion for granted and test your assumptions.
Gather as much information to gain a bet-
ter understanding of what they already
know and want to know. You will be sur-
prised to find the community's true objec-
tive. Maybe their priority is to preserve
their culture instead of increasing their
profit.
P.O.P.
PREPARING FOR YOUR PROJECT
Here are a few things your brigade Click here to see past projects!
could do:
Research on methods, techniques or
Read the previous Law Brigades Re- models that could be applied to the
ports to get a sense of how a brigade project you have been assigned.
flows and what techniques, work-
Research the partner you will be
shops, and approaches other groups
working with, so you can understand
have adopted in the past that could
how their work are how can we sup-
be useful in Panama.
port them.
Read the pre-brigade documenta-
Research on Panama’s Economic-
tion thoroughly, including workshop
social and political history so you can
templates, and how you and the
gain a sense of the country ‘s current
club can creatively engage the com-
situation.
munity (role-playing, community
presentations, etc).
Second Topic: The Program Lead logistics details such as accommoda-
and Advisor will host this call to dis- tions, water, bathrooms, food, and
cuss the project assigned to your transportation.
chapter.
Contact and keep in touch with
Third Topic: The program Lead and
ex-brigaders so you can expand
Advisor will host a second confer-
your understanding. Having con-
ence call to answer more questions
versations with ex-brigaders is a
about the assigned project and to
great idea. Also, frequently visit
prepare the group for the Capacity
our Global Brigades Facebook
Building Workshops.
Page to get the latest updates
Fourth Topic: Logistics Lead and and links to other brigaders.
Advisor will host this call to discuss
HAVE A CONVERSATION
Instead of conducting a question-
naire or survey, have an informal
and comfortable conversation.
Language may be a barrier, how-
ever, you have interpreters to help
you! Body language is commonly
understood, regardless of the lan-
guage you speak. Building rapport with the locals. They will
share more information with you and you
will better understand their needs.
9

WHAT A GENERAL ITINERARY LOOKS LIKE
Every brigade will have its own itine-
rary. Itineraries are created taking
into consideration the three key
elements of every brigade.
Legal Capacity Building: You will use
this precious time to interview the
members to get a good grasp of the
community and identify the best
ways to approach and address their
legal need. A powerful way of impro-
ving their legal knowledge is through
workshops delivered to the commu-
nity that have been tailored to their
NOTE: All Itineraries are subject to last minute changes.
IMPORTANT
Global Brigades will provide trans-
portation throughout the entire bri-
gade.
Punctuality is esssential. We will
loose valuable time if we wait just
for one person.
We encourgade brigaders to come
prepared from their origin country
so they can make the best use of
needs and level of understanding. A
great part of the time at the commu-
nity will be focused on planning,
preparing and delivering the works-
hops, in order to ensure the brigade
leaves the ‘how to’ behind.
Cultural Exchange: The community
will organize cultural activities at site
that will show brigaders their way of
life. Students will work together with
the community on seeding, planting
and harvesting
time during the brigade.
There will be one pick-up and one
drop-off at the airport. Always re-
main as a group when at the airport
so GB Staff can easily find everyone.
The best time to work on your Pro-
ject Report is right after returning
from the community. We will provi-
de your group with a template for
P.O.P.
Community Investment Fund: Stu-
dents and Staff will use their time in
the community to observe and inter-
view the members to discover the
priorities of the project and the
community. Students, Staff and the
community will meet up to present
their decision for using the Commu-
nity Investment Fund in a sustaina-
ble and economically beneficial way.
you to start taking notes and for
keeping track of each day’s activities
and workshops.
During your time in the city, it is ex-
tremely important that everyone
stays together. If at any time, you
need to separate yourself from the
group, please inform your brigade
coordinator.
10
 P.O.P.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND

For EVERY program donation that a
brigader contributes, $100 will be
invested directly into the project as
the Community Investment Fund
(CIF).
The purpose of this fund is to use it
for paying legal paperwork, govern-
mental fees, notary fees and any
other legal expense needed to suc-
cessfully address the community’s
legal need.
The CIF is not a donation. It is an
“investment”.
In the brigade, the community along have to deliver materials or equipment
with the Brigade will be in charge of to the community, our CIF Lead, Oscar
identifying what are the costs and Valencia, will take care of doing the CIF
fees requested to complete the pro- purchases and sending/taking it to the
ject. community after the brigade is gone.
Please remember the following:  The CIF can only be used in tangibles
that will contribute to the success of
 CIF can’t be allocated as cash
the community’s need.
under no circumstances, in-
stead, fees or paperwork will
always be administered by GB
Staff once the brigade is gone.
 For other Programs, such as
Business Brigades, in which they

LEGAL PAPERWORK: REGISTRY & NOTARY FEES

Most of our projects includes paying
some fees & and other legal costs.
This is one of the main reasons of
why most of this communities can’t
accomplish them.
Once the brigade has departed to
their country of origin, Law Brigades
will start programming with the
Local Lawyer Staff Member in charge
of the project, all the costs for com-
pleting the project.
Once the project is assigned to a Law
Brigades Local Lawyer, brigaders will
be notified by GB Staff.
The project will be assign within 60
days after the brigade.
NOTARY FEES REGISTRY FEES

LEFTOVER FUNDS
All projects are assign to clubs de-
pending in the amount of invest-
ment needed to complete them. In
the event that after everything has
been payed and there are still funds
available, the leftover will be allo-
cated into a fund that will be used at
the end of the year. This fund will be
used to support the project and edu-
cation of those members who have
shown the most dedication and par-
ticipation during capacity building
workshops and have thoughtfully
made use of the investment.
It will serve as an incentive for those
members to keep up the good work
and effort. Since in many cases left-
overs are just a few dollars it may
take some time to really get a good
amount to invest in that community.

11
 P.O.P.

GENERAL INFORMATION

PROVINCE:
Veraguas

COMMUNITY:
Calobre Panama City
TRAVEL TIME FROM PANAMA CITY:
Calobre
4 1/2 hours

PARTNER ORGANIZATION:
Patronato de Nutrición

PROJECT PROFILE

The group of auto-sustainable farms that we are going to

be working with is supported by Patronato de Nutrición.
It’s a group of farmers from the Veraguas Regional Asso-
ciation of Patronato Farms, that have been working for
years now, but never been able to join efforts to take their
farms to the next level. They had decided to establish a
Coop that can revamp their efforts, and that will let them
work together, as a group. By doing so, they will let them
pass from consumption to actually growing for profit, with
a variety of products, instead of one or two. By doing so,
they will be able to access new markets and costumers,
letting them improve their quality of life.
RICE FIELDS

CURRENT SITUATION WHERE COULD YOU HELP?

These farms are focused on agri-
culture.
Most of these farms have identi-
fied a market where to sell their
over production, but it is not as
enough production to let them get
profit from it. It is basically trying
to get some cash out of what they
would not consume.
And this is almost the same situa-
tion for the other farms of the
region. But the real solution they
had identified is that, even though
is not that enough of production,
by offering a variety of products to Legal Capacity Building
the market, they might get better * Requirements for setting up a Coop
prices, more costumers, and of
 Importance and How to Run a Coop
course more profit, gathering all
 Building up the Coop Statute
these over production and selling it
 Best practices & recommendations
as a whole.
of Coop administration
They are also aware of the impor-
tance of having a savings culture
among their farms, families, and Investment Suggestions
communities, and that is why their  Paperwork
goal is to get their Coop status to
 Feasibility Plan of the Group
help not only their farms and fami-
lies, but the whole region.  Bank Account
 Capital Seed

12

Many farms across Panama are dedi-
cated to produce as many products
as their families need to be fed.
Most common products are Yucca,
Yam, Coffee, Rice, Citrics, Corn, and
in some occasions chicks, pigs or
tilapias. However, food to grow
chicken has increased to an extend it
is no longer that profitable to have
chickens for sale. Remember this
farms where created to feed families
with huge hunger problems, so they
are their food source. But with the
time, farmers have managed to
grow crops really well, and over pro-
duce so that they could get some
income to buy other things they
Tilapia Fish Pool
Beans crop
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
might need. As they get more ex-
perienced and better on the growing
techniques, they are able to make
some profit out of it, but still not at a
level to make a big impact on their
economy. Since they don’t have any
access to credit, loans or economic
resources, they are stuck in this vi-
cious circle, leading them to leave
their farms to go get a job in the city
or for bigger companies, and not
letting their communities to grow
and improve their quality of life.
Due to these factors many organiza-
tions, such as Patronato de Nu-
trición, have been helping out farm-
Sacs of recently harvested rice
P.O.P.
ers to get portions of land on their
own communities, and helping them
out to form up farm associations,
that will receive from the Patronato
all the know-how on what is the best
product to grow, depending on their
soil, what are the best techniques to
grow their products, how to better
treat their land, and even donations
of fertilizers, chicks or equipment.
Of course, farmers must show first
the will to fight the community’s
hunger problems, show work ethic,
maintenance of the farm, planting,
harvesting, processing, and prepar-
ing the land for replanting.
Chicks
13
15
 P.O.P.

PATRONATO DE NUTRICIÓN

Patronato de Nutrición is non-profit
organization that supports farmers
with the tools and capacity building
they need in order to work their
land. Patronato’s main objective is
to fight against poverty and in result
against malnutrition in our most
sensitive population. This organiza-
tion is formed by civic guilds. This
they do by investing big amounts of
money in hardware supplies and
manpower so that farmers can "built
up" all the infrastructure they need
for a prosperous farm (ponds, the
land where they plant the crops,
proper irrigation systems, etc.) The
land is bought by Patronato to the
farmers at the very beginning. Then
they invest on it and the farmers
work it and basically gain a living by
selling the crops. Little by little, the
farmers are able to pay back to Pa-
tronato for the land (usually after 5-
10 years). Farmers eventually regis-
ter it under the name of an Associa-
tion (acquiring legal status and ow-
nership of the land) and by this time
they have already grown a prospe-
rous sustainable farm on their own.
This status also allows farms to apply
for grants, micro-credit and get
sponsorships. Patronato now has
over 320 farms.

SELF-SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION FARMS

The farms are an extension from five to 20 hectares, inten-
ded for the cultivation of food, that provide macro and micro
nutrients necessary to keep a good nutritional condition of
the participating population. For its integral and diversifica-
tion feature of the population, it is considered the production
of cereals, leguminous, vegetables, tubers, among others;
breeding of penned animals, using the natural resources in a
rational manner, protecting the environment and practicing a
good administration (management control) of the financial
resources with the purpose of obtaining self-supply and sus-
tainability of the project, generating surplus of the produc-
tion for its commercialization.
The exploitation of the farm is made in a collective and orga-
nized manner; in average, about 9 families per farm partici-
pate.

GOAL

To consolidate farm associations with technical-management

capacity, owning the means of production and that it be a
legal entity, that help them venture into the trading of their
production with less disadvantages, in a market, every day
more competitive, and with an efficient production, intended
to the consumption of participating families, and making
emphasis on the 9 sensitive items, in a period of 7 years.

16
 Global Brigades (GB) is the world’s largest student-led international devel-
opment organization. As a secular, 501c3 nonprofit organization, we em-
power university students and young professionals nation-wide to provide
communities in developing countries with sustainable solutions that im-
prove quality of life while respecting local culture and improving the envi-
ronment.

Global Brigades, Inc.

PO Box: 712219
Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.globalbrigades.org

GB Panama Staff
Gabriela Valencia, GB Operations Manager gabriela@globalbrigades.org

507.60438396 / 507.2144804

Roberto Del Busto, GB Transportation Manager roberto@globalbrigades.org

507.66752675

Carlos Saldaña, Law Brigades Panama Lead carlos@globalbrigades.org

507.60708876
GB Home Team (For Emergency Use Only)

Michelle Menclewicz, GB Director of Student Affairs michelle@globalbrigades.org

949.290.0986

Danielle Starry, GB Travel Director danielle@globalbrigades.org

330.605.3576

Catherine Berman, GB Co-founder/CEO catherine@globalbrigades.org

310.806.0204

17