Mission

Fundación Vía al Futuro is a non-profit organization that seeks to strengthen the quality and supply of education, by incorporating the benefits of Information and Communications technology in public schools and other institutions dedicated to the education of children between 6 and 12 years old in Panama.

Objectives

• Provide panamenian impoverished children from 6 to 12 years old, the opportunity to develop their
  potential and compete better in the work force.
• Improve teaching and learning through the effective use of technology in public schools and other
  educational centers across the country.
• Bridge the digital divide, the economic gap that prohibits access to technology by focusing on
  underserved schools and integrating Internet-based technology into existing curricula.
• Transforming lives in Panama through quality education.

The Education Gap

• The critical challenge facing Panama today is to improve the quality and raise the level of education
  attained by its citizens. The deficiencies of the education system leads to negative impacts in the
  competitiveness and economic vitality of the nation.
• Less than 65% of the Panamenian children are enrolled in secondary school.
• The quality of the educational system in Panama ranks 107 out of 117 in the Global Competitiveness
  Report by the World Economic Forum.
• There are less than 2,500 computers in elementary public schools for a total of 385,000 children.
• Internet penetration in Panama is 6.5% compared to 17% in the rest of the world and 70% in the
  United States.
• In Panama, spending on elementary education per student averages $199. This compares to $7,560
  that is spend per student in the United States or $385 in Argentina.

Values

• We believe that the most effective tool to help people help themselves out of poverty is high-quality
  education.
• We believe that the best way to transform a community is not by giving handouts, but rather by
  providing tools for individuals to raise themselves up.
• Fundación Vía al Futuro helps equip young people with the knowledge and skills to become
  confident, competent, and caring adults.

How does Fundación Vía al Futuro Achieve its Mission?

• Establish a continuous flow of PC’s by getting donations of new, or retired computer equipment that
  is refurbished, for educational use and placement in schools or other non-profit organizations
  dedicated to educating children.
• Receive the equipment and submit it to a rigorous technical process to ensure its optimal working
  condition.
• Coordinate the necessary infrastructure at the educational center.
• Coordinate transportation and installation of the computers, network and internet access.

Track Record

• Vía al Futuro has installed more than 75 computers in 8 different educational centers throughout the
  country that benefit more than 3,000 children.

Go to projects website: http://www.viaalfuturo.com 

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