San Cristóbal

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

Overview

San Cristobal is located in the biodiverse region of Eastern Panama and celebrated its transition With Global Brigades in April of 2021. Community members 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. People in San Cristobal are primarily dedicated to agriculture and the sale of artisanal crafts. Global Brigades is currently working in San Cristobal and the community is on the wait-list for eventual Holistic Model implementation as part of Global Brigades’ strategic plan in Panama.

Municipality: Muna
Province: Comarca Ngabe – Bugle

Homes : 35
Population : 200
Water System : No Started
Community Bank : Active Implementation
Electricity : No
Health Center : No
Community Health Workers : No
% of Homes with Latrines : 86
Education in the Community : Up to middle school
Distance from Lodging Facility : 260 km

Medical

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in San Cristobal 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.

Community Health Workers : Not Started
Common Illnesses in Children : Colds, diarrhea
Common Illnesses in Adults : Colds, diarrhea

Dental

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in San Cristobal 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 San Cristobal but has not yet begun with the Water Brigades program. Now in the planning phase, the construction and installation of water systems will start as soon as feasible.

Water System : Yes
Type of Water System : Gravity aqueduct
% of Homes with Access to Water : 30
Water Council : Yes

Business

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

SAN CRISTOBAL’S ECONOMIC CHALLENGE

San Cristobal’s community members 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. Usually, 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. Furthermore, these financial institutions require members to pay monthly fees that are usually high.

SAN CRISTOBAL’S MICROFINANCE SOLUTION

The Global Brigades Business and Microfinance Team trained a new Community Bank in April 2021. This encouraged the opening of more savings accounts and the growth of seed capital. Currently, they have 10 members actively working on the Community Bank. 

Upon the completion of six months of executive board training, the Community Bank began giving out loans to bank members to spur economic growth and home improvement projects.

Local Businesses : kioscos
Economic Activities : Agriculture, skilled labor
Community Bank : Yes
Number of Members : 17

Public Health

Program Status

  • Planning
  • Active
  • Complete

Global Brigades is working on the implementation of the Holistic Model in San Cristobal 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 : 86%
% of homes with flushing toilets : 0%
% of homes with water storage units : 43%
% of homes with traditional stoves : 143%
% of homes with concrete floor : 23%
% of homes with bath/shower : 14%
Common house materials : Wood and zinc

Local Reference Points

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

  • Feature