Member  Lyle Carlstrom was in Panama where he came across Rotarians who explained a need for assistance from our Rotary Club.  A bridge was needed for their community.    Our club contributed $5000 and another $2500 of Rotary Foundation dollars was used.    More reasons we are all happy to support the Foundation.  Pictures and explenation below. 

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The original bridge linking the indigenous community of the Ngobe with the neighboring community across the San Felix River was destroyed by a flood which raised water to unexpected levels.

Before Rotary assisted,  during the rainy season children from the Ngobe community ccould not cross the river to get to the elementary school. The makeshift cable and basket arrangement being used was unstable, unsafe and seriously limited the ability of the community to access health care, employment and education; all of which are situated on the other side of the river, away from the village of approximately 1500 residents. Residents from this small town on an indigenous reservation are isolated from public transportation and other services; this posed serious problems for pregnant women, the ill, the very old and especially the school-aged members of the community. Because Panama has a very high literacy rate, there are very few opportunities for individuals who do have at least a basic education; the children from this community were being deprived of regular school attendance (and future opportunities in life).