Panama Project Update

In 2014, the International Committee took a first look at the tremendous need for care of the abandoned and severely disabled children of Panama. Rotarian Maria Sheehan and her husband Ron, during a visit to the country, had a chance encounter with the American founders of an orphanage they hoped to open. It would shelter and treat children with severe neurological disabilities and facilitate adoptions. The International Committee decided to take on the project and formed a team of grant writers with Charlie Dodson serving as Grant Lead and Maria serving as overall Project Lead. The team went to work and after several revisions made by chief grant writer, Stefanie Scoppettone, the Global Grant was approved.

This presentation will introduce you to Matt and Misty Hedspeth and give an insight into the difficult journey of opening an orphanage in the country of Panama.  We will review the Rotarian visit in January 2016, which included a country tour and orphanage visit along and get an update about what has occurred since then and what is left to be done.  Maria will also provide her observations from her recent trip in September as she visited orphanages.

Reno Rotary is playing a critical role in the difficult effort to improve the lives of what the founders call “the lease of the least.” When the orphanage does open, it will be the only one of its kind in Central America. It is estimated that approximately two hundred children are currently waiting without hope, living in overcrowded substandard care facilities. Reno Rotary is making a difference.