PANAMA
Since 2008, Kambia and our partner Global Brigades has served communities across Panama, from the Darien to Western Panama with the goal to help grow local economies, improve access to healthcare and empower families with legal resources to resolve disputes and formalize businesses. Inspired by our many indigenous partners, our work in Panama focuses on promoting a sense of belonging within communities and always prioritizes collaborative program execution. Panama’s natural beauty, history and cultural diversity make it one of the world’s great countries to visit.
Community Partners and Projects
Kambia, alongside our parent organization Global Brigades, began working in Panama in 2008 with our Business Program designed to support communities to access essential financial services. Now, more than 15 years later, Panama boasts one of our strongest economic development programs having established over 20 internationally recognized community-owned banks in some of the country’s most under-resourced, rural communities. The community-owned banks empower families and businesses with access to savings and small, low-interest loans while providing extensive financial literacy programs, evidenced by a nearly 0% default rate.
In addition to our economic development program, Kambia also provides essential healthcare services to families across the country through our Medical and Nursing Programs. Our Panamanian team partners with local governments to establish long-term access to healthcare resources through a comprehensive Community Health Worker (CHW) program. As with all of our partner communities, our final goal is for the community to manage its own health services and for Kambia to focus on monitoring and evaluating the impact.
Accommodations, Logistics, and Food
Our professional and experienced staff will meet you at the Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City upon arrival and take you directly to our “home-base” accommodations. At the accommodations, you will enjoy authentic local cuisine and our staff will orient you to the country and the work you will be doing.
Your exact accommodations will depend on the region of Panama in which you will work, but all of our accommodations are comfortable, private, quiet, peaceful and safe. Kambia provides 24-hour security as well as on-site staff to take care of any needs. We will do everything that we can to make you feel at home and safe.
During your visits to the community, our professional drivers will transport you safely and our coordinators will ensure that you have everything that you need.
Our Staff
Kambia’s team of local staff including medical professionals, drivers, cooks and lodging managers are present throughout each program and ensure that you are always supported and cared for. With more than 20 years of experience, our team will welcome you to Panama and introduce you to our amazing community partners. In addition to excellent service staff, we employ a full-time team of professional health and economic development professionals that make sure the work that you do is impactful and sustainable. We look forward to meeting you in Panama!
Cultural Learning
In addition to the high-impact development projects you and your team will undertake, we also want to make sure that you are introduced to Panamanian culture through authentic and traditional cultural activities. Examples include cooking lessons, mola painting, temporary tattoos and soapstone carving. You will also have the chance to visit “Casco Viejo,” Panama City’s oldest neighborhood, as well as the Panama Canal.
Make sure to talk with our team before you begin your program to get more information about which cultural activities your group will be doing.
Enrichment Activities
(OPTIONAL ADD-ON PACKAGES)
After a full week of service work, your group may want to undertake an adventure to explore deeper into the jungle, visit some of the region’s famous historical sites or relax at the beach. Kambia is happy to help organize these (optional) activities for you and your group. Some of the highlights include Soberania National Park, Embera Quera, Bio-Museum, Monkey Island, a boat tour of the Panama Canal, Smithsonian Natural Center and of course a visit to one of Panama’s most beautiful beaches.
Make sure to organize these activities with the Kambia team when customizing your trip. We look forward to welcoming you to Panama!