By Ma. Belen Montoto | Executive Director
As part of Fundación Calicanto’s ongoing mission to empower socially vulnerable women, our 2024-2026 expansion strategy prioritizes deepening our presence in regions with the highest socio-economic challenges, such as the province of Colón, which accounts for 12% of Panama’s unemployment. Strengthening our presence in areas like Colón is a critical milestone toward our broader goals. In Colón, we have identified not only a significant need for employability initiatives but also a resilient community eager for opportunities to transform their lives. By focusing on this region, we aim to unlock potential and provide transformative opportunities that empower individuals to reshape their futures and contribute to broader societal progress.
In our first report of the year, we highlighted this ambition to extend our geographic reach by setting objectives in key locations. Establishing a strong foundation in Colón required meticulous recruitment efforts, holistic organizational planning, and most importantly, a strategic partnership that would enable us to impact more than 100 individuals this year.
Thanks to the support of a prominent local entity, we have successfully implemented our first CAPTA program in Colón, graduating 38 women. The second cohort, comprising 37 women, is currently underway, and we are on track to deliver one more program before the year ends.
Our approach is centered around supporting mothers and caregivers of students from educational centers that serve low-income, high-achieving adolescents. We firmly believe that the development of young people is most effective when their family environment is also empowered and aligned with their growth. By offering training opportunities to these mothers, we not only provide them with tools for personal and economic advancement but also create a stronger support system for their children.
When parents are included in the process of development and learning, they are better equipped to understand, support, and nurture their child’s aspirations. This integrated family approach ensures that while adolescents see the possibility of a better future, their parents simultaneously gain the skills and perspective necessary to accompany and guide their children through the journey. It is not just about economic improvement but about fostering an environment where the entire family grows together, building mutual understanding and a shared vision for progress.
CAPTA cohort concluded the initial phase of our developmental initiative. The graduates received training in a wide range of topics, including:
The resilience, growth, and determination we’ve witnessed in these women are truly inspiring. As we continue our journey, our focus remains on delivering high-impact programs that create lasting change, not only in the lives of individual participants but across entire communities.
We are deeply grateful for the support of GlobalGiving and our other partners, whose trust and resources enable us to scale these efforts. Together, we are creating pathways for transformation, one community at a time.
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By Ma. Belen Montoto | Executive Director
By Ma. Belen Montoto | Executive Director
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