Empower Youth Transition from Orphanage to Society

Dear supporters,

Over the past few months we focused on strengthening life skills, employability, and mental health supports for youth in care and recent care-leavers in Panama, while expanding activity in Chiriquí. Our current group includes 32 young people (87.5% girls/young women), with 18 still in residential care and 14 living with family or in alternative family settings.

What we accomplished

Integral Development Program.
We delivered 10 Saturday workshops (47 hours + 9 hours of follow-up) covering Personal Finance, Sexual & Affective Education, Human Rights, and Vocational Orientation. Learning was reinforced with educational outings to Panamá Viejo, the Miraflores Visitors Center, the Museum of Freedom, and the Panama Canal Museum, and with tech/marketing sessions led by WIE Panama.

Employability – Elementor track.
Together with HR professionals and mentors, youth completed 156 hours across training (50h), 1:1 mentoring (99h), and mentor coordination (7h). We activated partnerships for learning spaces with Maersk and inclusion activities with Special Olympics Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernández; additional Excel and Digital Marketing training was provided by WIE Panama.

Psychological care.
Our mental health service remained open to current participants and alumni seeking to resume therapy during difficult times. The team completed 15 hours of advanced training and supervision (dynamic-relational model, case supervision with Dr. Elisa Moschos) to better support anxiety, uncertainty about the future, and career-choice stress.

Chiriquí (Hogar Medalla Milagrosa, David).
We served 10 adolescent girls with Emotional Intelligence and Power Skills workshops (21 hours), recorded 0% dropout, and observed notable growth in confidence, self-expression, and conflict resolution. A four-session Comprehensive Sex Education module was approved and is scheduled to begin September 6. Ages in this group range from 16–19.

What we’re learning

Consistent mentoring plus real-world practice (company visits, inclusive sports days, museums) accelerates soft-skills development and motivation. Integrating caregiver training improves carry-over at home and in residential settings.

What’s next

• Launch the approved Comprehensive Sex Education module in Chiriquí.

• Place top performers in three-month internships while continuing weekly mentoring and mental-health follow-ups.

• Expand HR-led “Power Skills” sessions and maintain partnerships with Maersk, WIE Panama, and Special Olympics Panama.

Thank you for making these milestones possible. Your support is helping young people in—and exiting—care move toward safe, independent, and purposeful lives.

Your Tav Team