Educating Caregivers working in orphanages

This year was one of growth, learning, and quiet but powerful transformation within the Caregivers’ School. We reached more caregivers, worked across more provinces, strengthened our curriculum, and deepened the support we offer to those who care for Panama’s most vulnerable children and adolescents.

Every workshop, every reflection circle, and every shared moment of learning reminded us how essential caregivers are in the protection ecosystem — and how transformative it can be when they feel supported.

What we strengthened this year

2025 allowed us to refine our foundation in a way that will support many years ahead:

• We completed the full Caregivers’ School theoretical manual, now the backbone of all our trainings.

• We delivered both Module 1 (“Cuidado Integral”) and Module 2 (“Nuestra Labor”) across several provinces, ensuring consistency while adapting to each institution’s reality.

• Law 285 became a core learning component, helping caregivers understand their legal responsibilities and how to advocate within the protection system.

• We designed new evaluation tools, both quantitative and qualitative, to better measure shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and practice.

• Through clinical supervision, we strengthened our crisis-response capacity, giving caregivers more tools to navigate emotional and behavioral emergencies.

• We expanded partnerships with shelters, organizations, and public institutions — laying the groundwork for the program’s first school-based expansion.

Challenges that shaped us

As always, real progress comes with real challenges. This year, the team moved through:

• Limited time and resources

• High demand for emotional-crisis support

• The need for greater standardization

• Pressure on staffing and capacity

Instead of slowing us down, these challenges pushed us to evolve.
We improved workflows, strengthened communication channels, completed the manual, and began planning for a more resilient staffing structure in 2026 — including fuller teams, clearer evaluation systems, and intentional professional development.

Most important: what we learned

Some lessons stood out again and again:

• When caregivers are supported, children feel the difference immediately.

• Understanding the law gives caregivers confidence and protection.

• Reflection circles, feedback sessions, and supervision are not “extras” — they are essential for meaningful learning.

• Blending in-person training with digital content expands access and flexibility.

These insights will guide every decision we make in the coming year.

And if we speak in numbers…

Because sometimes numbers tell a story of their own:

• 73 caregivers enrolled

• 69 completed the full program

• 108 hours of training delivered

• Caregivers came from 13 different institutions

• Spanning Panamá, Panamá Oeste, Chiriquí, Penonomé, Chitré, and Ngäbe Buglé

• And — our favorite number —
  690 children indirectly impacted, thanks to more confident, skilled, and supported caregivers

Behind each number is a face, a name, a story.
Thank you for helping us reach them.

Links:

• About the program

Thanks to your support, between March and August 2025 the Caregivers’ School continued empowering those who care for vulnerable children in shelters and community organizations. Your contributions have helped us expand training opportunities, update learning materials, and prepare for the program’s next big step — reaching caregivers in public schools.

This period featured targeted training for another NGO’s caregiving team, participatory surveys, the development of new modules, and the planning of interactive feedback sessions.

Activities Conducted

March – May

• Delivered an introductory training session to the caregiving team at Fútbol con Corazón (FCC), a regional NGO using soccer as a tool for youth development and social transformation.

• This session introduced caregivers to key concepts from Module 1, focusing on emotional management, psychological first aid, and effective communication skills.

July – August

• Conducted surveys in shelters to identify priority topics for future training.

• Began development of a Digital Footprint Module covering:

  • Social media as a form of re-victimization

  • Cell phone addiction

  • Cyberbullying

• Updated the Caregivers’ Manual to reflect current challenges and best practices.

• Planned a feedback session for caregivers and shelter directors to share experiences and strengthen learning.

• Prepared for program implementation in two public schools in San Miguelito and San Francisco.

Participation Overview

During this period, the program reached:

• 7 participating institutions

• 27 enrolled caregivers

Training Content and Hours Delivered

Module 1 – Comprehensive Care) – 15 hours
Covered:

• Emotional Universe: Perception vs. Reality

• Anxiety, boundaries, and love languages

• Assertive communication and conflict resolution

• Attachment

• Law 285 (February 15, 2022) – Systems of Guarantees and Comprehensive Protection

Module 2 – Our Work – 6 hours
Focused on strengthening the understanding of the caregiver’s role and responsibilities in both institutional and community settings.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, we will finalize the Digital Footprint Module, deliver feedback sessions to caregivers and shelter directors, and launch the program in two public schools. These steps will allow us to support more caregivers and, ultimately, create better environments for the children in their care.

Thank you for standing with us as we equip caregivers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to nurture and protect children. Your commitment continues to transform lives — one caregiver, and one child, at a time.

Links:

• http://www.transicionalavida.org