El Caño, Panama
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General Information
| Population* | 1000-1200 |
| Number of homes | 600-800 |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Corregimiento | El Caño |
| District | Natá |
| Corresponding Health Center | Centro de Salud in Penonome |
| Distance from compounds | 1 hour |
* Population does not reflect how many patients will be seen on medical
brigades as many people from surrounding communities come seeking
Medical Brigades medical attention.
Top Needs Expressed
The top needs expressed by the key community members are health and water.
The community of El Caño has one school that provides education for the grades of Kindergarten until 9th grade. The school is located in the center of the community. The school has about 160 students who are instructed by 11 teachers in 10 classrooms. In addition to the classrooms, the school facility also has a meeting hall, a kitchen, a dining room, a teachers' office, recreational space, and a computer lab.
El Caño's community water system is operated by IDAAN, the Panamanian government agency responsible for water systems. The community's chief complaint about the system is that the system provides low water pressure. The system's water source is about 4 kilometers outside the community. The water is available to El Caño's families 12 hours per day. IDAAN is responsible for chlorinating the system's water.
El Caño is fortunate to have a sub-healthcare center located in its community; the center is staffed by a community healthy worker who is trained to treat very common, low-risk illnesses with rudimentary supplies. The most common illnesses found in El Caño are common colds, vomiting, diarrhea, diabetes, and chronic high blood pressure. There is not dental care available within El Caño, but community members are aware of dental care available in the nearby town of Natá. About 50% of the community members have hygenic latrines available, and 80% of the community members have cement floors in their homes.
Homes in El Caño are typically constructed of cement blocks and palm leaves. Employment in El Caño is fairly varied; the majority of the community is involved in agriculture, but there are also community members that are involved in tourism and other professions. El Caño typically produces onions, various peppers, watermelon, and tomatoes. The small businesses in El Caño are a mini-market, 2 cantinas, and 5 small stores.
El Caño does not currently have an environmental curriculum in its school. The community members typically dispose of their garbage by burning it; however, there is a small portion of the population that collects its trash to be collected by the local government. Some of the community members recycle tin cans.
In order to get legal assistance, El Caño community members must travel outside of the community to Penonome. The most common legal conflicts are those involving child support and land titles.
El Caño is represented by Lesvia Perez in the local assembly. The community is well-organized and easy to assemble.
The other organizations that are working in El Caño include the water authority IDAAN.
El Caño is excited to host its first medical/dental brigade when it receives the University of Kansas in May 2014.
Source of Information: Key Informant Interview
Date of Interview: April 23, 2014
Updated Last: April 25, 2014