Panama is often left out of the development scene because of its high literacy rate and the urban development of Panama City.  However, there are many needs within the country.  It is among the top five countries world-wide suffering from a huge Rich-Poor Gap.  It suffers from high unemployment, low access to education outside large cities, overall marginalization of indigenous communities, and high costs-of-living.  Panama’s growing economy is based on technological know-how and the ability to speak English, thus pushing employment opportunities farther away from the lives of the poorer masses.  As a result, it is necessary to build self-reliance and self employment as long-term solutions.

Empowering Nations is therefore participating in a start-up project in Panama, creating a micro-credit NGO to empower people living in poverty, or near poverty levels.  Teaming up with already established micro-credit efforts in rural communities, our social entrepreneurs will assist poor villiagers in expanding their businesses.  Teaming up with the Management Society in Panama to select NGO participants, volunteers will assist in the training of a local NGO volunteer staff, and help establish their programs so that they can operate effectively in the future.  Additional projects include working in semi-rural or rural areas of Panama to provide micro-business start-up training for would-be entrepreneurs, providing agri-business/tourism training for small businesses, participating in environmental and health programs, and offering education and language training for business or tourism purposes. 

We are seeking Spanish-speaking volunteers willing to travel to Panama and live for 1–3 months in summer 2006 to participate in this economic self-reliance venture.  Some entrepreneurial and business experience would be helpful.