Overview

<aside> 💡 Before traveling, Shoulder-to-Shoulder’s Pre-Travel Case Study will help you learn about the principles of ethical leadership, the mission of the organization you will be working with, and the historical and cultural context of your field site.

We encourage you to write down any questions, thoughts, or ideas that you have as you explore these resources in the journal you will be taking with you on the program.

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Session 1: Building Relationships

<aside> 💡 During your program, you will be working daily with the Give and Surf team. In order to learn more about Give and Surf and their mission, please watch the two videos below about community member Marialena.

After, write down any questions you would like to find the answers to while in Panama.

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• Building Relationships
• Training Local Leaders

Session 2: The Ngobe

<aside> 💡 During your time in Panama, you will have the chance to interact with communities from the Ngobe-Bugle tribe. This activity is designed to help you better understand their lives and culture. First, watch the video, “The Need of the Ngobe,” which focuses on the daily life and health of the Ngobe. While the video is about another organization called Floating Doctors it will give you insight into the Ngobe-Bugle. Second, read the short piece about the Ngobe.

After, write down any questions you would like to find the answers to while in Panama.

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• The Need of the Ngobe
• About the Ngobe

Session 3: Bocas Del Toro

<aside> 💡 Panama has a rich cultural history that goes back at least 10,000 years. It is believed that the Ngobe, the local indigenous population you will be working with during your time in Panama, lived in what is now known as Panama before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors. The video below will give you a basic overview of Panamanian history.

After watching the video, write down any questions you would like to find the answers to while in Panama.

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• Bocas del Toro - A landmark of Caribbean history

Session 4: Education in Panama

<aside> 💡 Children and adolescents in Panama face a number of challenges in trying to access a quality education. In fact, education in Panama has been called one of “the worst in the world” for years. To gain a better understanding of the challenges encountered in Panama’s educational system read the two articles below.

After reading the articles, write down any questions you would like to find the answers to while in Panama.

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• The State of Education in Panama