Buena Esperanza School Transport 2019

Buena Esperanza, translated to English means “good hope”.  Eight miles south of Bocas del Toro in Panama, the little village of Buena Esperanza, consisting of approximately 50 indigenous families, sits high on a hill overlooking beautiful Dolphin Bay. With the exception of a few families fortunate enough to own a solar panel and a small tank to collect rainwater from their roof, the village is without electricity, adequate toilet facilities, or running water.

Escuela Buena Esperanza, a public school, provides basic education for about 75 children in kindergarten through sixth grade. To the west, 4 “water miles” away, public school Escuela Tierra Oscura offers grades 7 through 9. The Panamanian government does not provide transportation.

If Papa has a motor boat and money for gas, a son or daughter might continue to middle school, however most papas in the village are subsistence farmers, and they don’t have a motor boat. Even if Papa is one of the fortunate few with a “paying” job, $12.00 likely is his day’s take-home pay. A determined student’s alternative is to travel in the age-old island method: paddling the family cayuco, a dugout canoe. Days of tropical downpour or stiff breezes that kick up dangerous waves mean missing a day of classes or risking their life in dangerous conditions.  

In 2017 and prior, more than 80% of students dropped out after 6th grade.  Often left idle in the community, these kids are ripe for trouble: girls pregnant at age 13 being just one of the unwelcome results. Uneducated youngsters are destined for a future of poverty, continuing the subsistence life-style of their mothers and fathers.  In 2018, the community rallied together in combination with a caring neighbor and Give & Surf to help with transportation costs.  Local parents must volunteer to drive the government-provided small motor boat, and in turn, we  raised the $3,000 needed to cover gas for the school year.  15 students attended middle school last year compared to 5 the year before!

 Now in 2019, 22 students want to go to school in Tierra Oscura and the community is thrilled!  The local parents have already stepped up and committed to using a privately owned second boat to ensure every child can continue on to middle school and volunteered to pay $1 per week per student.  A total of $4,500 is needed to cover the gas for two boats for the 2019 school year, which runs from March to December.  

Your one-time or monthly donation increases the possibilities for a brighter future in Buena Esperanza. Will you bring good hope to these  kids and their families?

100% of your donation goes directly towards funding this transportation program for Buena Esperanza.

Your donation may be tax deductible in the US under Tax ID # 27-3351048.  Contact info@giveandsurf.org with any questions.

THANK YOU ❤️