Education provides children with opportunities to escape poverty, gain a voice in their community and experience a better quality of life. But worldwide, more than 120 million children are unable to attend school.

The Ngäbe lack strong connections to the government and often don’t have the ability to express their needs because of cultural and language barriers. Many families can’t afford healthcare, education, a home, or basic sanitation.

The majority of students in the comarca are forced to travel to another state for middle and high-school level education. As they progress in school, they are faced with the rising costs of travel and boarding, while simultaneously navigating a second language and culture. Despite the doubling of food prices in the last two years and falling levels of food production, families in these communities are making huge sacrifices to send their children to high school and give them the chance at a better life. Few for Change aims to lessen this burden for families and improve opportunities for students who cannot afford education.

3 Ways To Help Today

1. Donate

With your help, and the help of other donors like you, we can continue increasing the number of scholarships we are able to award, offering and expanding the many support services we provide prospective students and their families and mobilizing the community to make education a top priority for every Ngäbe (Guaymi) family in Bocas del Toro.

2. Get involved

Be an active member of the Alphonse Guayimi Scholarship Fund so students can learn from you and your experience. Donate the supplies and resources the students need to succeed. Help Alphonse Guaymi Scholarship Fund reach more students who will need assistance to pay for their education.

3. Partner

The Alphonse Guaymi Scholarship Fund collaborates with churches, corporations, foundations, institutions and other partners in the non-profit sector at every level in order to give Ngäbe (Guaymi) students full access to the opportunities an education can provide.