Plant, Learn, Grow
Objective
Driving a new model that supports the holistic development of 100 families in the El Peñón community in the Ngäbe Buglé region.
Solution
Nutre Hogar and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) teamed up to improve the quality of life for children in Panama through the Plan, Learn, Grow project. This initiative benefited the El Peñón community in the Ngäbe Buglé region through innovative models of comprehensive early childhood care that promote quality nutrition and skills development.
For the first time in Panama, a community-based model for children aged 0 to 4 years was implemented, based on Jamaica’s “Reach Up and Learn” program, which has shown positive results in cognitive and non-cognitive development for this age group. Plan, Learn, Grow initially aimed to impact 100 families in El Peñón, and provided equipment for the school’s cafeteria as well as vegetables for the children’s meals.
The volunteers from our Panama office began working on this project in February 2018 and soon saw tangible results. As part of the project, there was a workshop for 35 teachers at the El Peñón School in the Ngäbe Buglé region. Several volunteers led an Affinity Diagram Workshop during this session to gauge the teachers’ knowledge and commitment to the project. The results exceeded expectations, and the teachers became the main ambassadors of Plan, Learn, Grow within the community.
Impact
The media covered the project, which benefited 100 families and trained 35 teachers.
Plant, Learn, Grow is not just the name we chose for this project; it represents the essence of life. It’s what these children from the community will remember and what we’ve gained as volunteers by participating. When you share, you don’t lose—you multiply.
