SCHOOL ANGELS
Champions: Kai Frykman, Rob Steig and Margo Carey
Project: The Bocas School Project
Location: Bocas del Toro, Panama
Background: Kai, Rob and Margo are old buddies who divide their time between the US and Bocas del Toro, Panama. Kai and Rob are married and live in Marin County, CA., and Margo lives in Summit County, CO.
In Panama, they noticed that children from indigenous communities were living in poverty and did not have access to quality education. Their schools were poorly equipped and lacked clean drinking water, sanitation facilities or electricity. Many children dropped out of school, because they could not afford to pay for the uniforms.
A program that taught English to the children was at a risk of closing down because of lack of funding. Locals who speak English typically have an advantage for earning a better income thanks to a burgeoning tourism industry in the region. Kai, Rob and Margo decided to join hands to create the Bocas School Project to revive the program, as well as to build the capacities of the schools.
The Bocas School Project now reaches out to four schools on the island, whose facilities are being upgraded and classrooms are being equipped with books, computers and other necessary supplies.
