Algarrobo

  • Overview
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Water
  • Business
  • Public Health

Overview

Los Algarrobos is located in the biodiverse region of West Panama and celebrated its transition With Global Brigades in May of 2021. People in Los Algarrobos are primarily dedicated to agriculture and the sale of artisanal crafts. When Global Brigades visited the community to know more about their needs, the community members expressed that they needed to improve the community center, the latrine system, and the overall electricity access that the community had.

Community members in Los Algarrobos also have access to credit through an established and thriving community bank, which will support continued investment in local businesses and home improvement projects for families within the community. Global Brigades is working in Los Algarrobos and the community is on the wait-list for eventual Holistic Model implementation as part of Global Brigades’ strategic plan in Panama.

Corregimiento: Muna
District: Comarca Ngabe-Bugle

Homes : 39
Population : 200
Water System : Not started
Community Bank : Yes
Electricity : Yes
Health Center : No
Community Health Workers : Not Started
% of Homes with Latrines : 95
Education in the Community : Up to 1st grade
Distance from Lodging Facility : 170 km

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Los Algarrobos but has not yet begun with the Medical Brigades program. Now in the planning phase, mobile clinics and Community Health Workers’ training will start as soon as feasible.

Distance from Nearest Health Center : 15 km
Community Health Workers : Not started
Common Illnesses in Children : Colds, diarrhea, upset stomach, fever
Common Illnesses in Adults : Cold, diarrhea, upset stomach, fevers, headaches

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Los Algarrobos but has not yet begun with the Dental Brigades program. Now in the planning phase, mobile clinics will start as soon as feasible.

Water

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Los Algarrobos but has not yet begun with the Water Brigades program. Now in the planning phase, the installation and/or improvement of the water system and connectivity will start as soon as feasible.

Water System : Yes
Type of Water System : Gravity Aqueduct
% of Homes with Access to Water : 95%
Water Council : Yes

Business

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

LOS ALGARROBO’S ECONOMIC CHALLENGE

Community members in Los Algarrobos lack access to financial resources within the community. The majority of community members do not have bank accounts and there are only limited informal forms of credit available. Larger financial institutions do not approve loans to community members without a fixed income, making it difficult for local micro-enterprises to grow and thrive.

Most community members express the distance to the nearest bank as the main discouragement to having a personal savings account. Even if individuals wish to travel the distance, not all community members can become members of these financial institutions–cooperatives require monthly membership fees, savings accounts often require a fixed income, and the cost of travel provides an additional barrier.

17

Loans Disbursed

ALGARROBO’S MICROFINANCE SOLUTION

The Global Brigades Business and Microfinance Team trained a new Community Bank in Algarrobos in June 2021. This encouraged the opening of savings accounts and the growth of seed capital. Upon the completion of six months of executive board training, the Community Bank will be giving out loans to bank members to spur economic growth and home improvement projects.

Local Businesses : kiosk
Economic Activities : Agriculture
Community Bank : Active Implementation

Public Health

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in Los Algarrobos but has not yet begun with the Public Health Brigades program. Now in the planning phase, the delivery and installation of household health products will start as soon as feasible.

% of houses with latrines : 95%
% of homes with flushing toilets : 0%
% of homes with water storage units : 0%
% of homes with traditional stoves : 82%
% of homes with concrete floor : 26%
% of homes with bath/shower : o%
Common house materials : Zinc

Local Reference Points

View the map to see the closest volunteer lodging facilities, hospitals, and other relevant points of reference.

  • Feature