Guacuco Latino, Panama
Click on Programs to learn more about their work in this community
General Information
| Population* | 620 |
| Number of homes | 260 |
| Avg # of people per home | 2.4 |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Corregimiento | Torti |
| District | Chepo |
| Corresponding Health Center | Torti |
| Distance from compounds | from Torti compound, 20 mins, from Pro Ninos, 2 hours |
| Road conditions | Good |
* 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.
Expressed Needs and Capacities
The community leaders of Guacuco Latino listed health access and education infrastructure at their local high school as the two main community challenges. Additionally, they mentioned the on-going struggle over land-titling. Guacuco Latino's community members are divided into two groups which sometimes causes conflict over sharing resources such as water. Lastly, Guacuco Latino has been recently struggling to identify a qualified and effective community leader.
The Guacuco Latino elementary school sits right at the entrance to the community, it consists of seven classrooms, a lunchroom, a computer lab and a play ground. About 170 students attend this school, which is led by 5 teachers. The majority of students live close to the school; the student with the longest walk to school walks for 30 minutes each way. Students in Guacuco Latino have access to the high school nearby in Torti.
Guacuco Latino uses two gravity-based aquaduct systems, with one going to each part of the community. A Water Committee is in place, and the committee's technician maintains the systems. Water is always available, with sufficient water pressure. Additionally, the water systematically received chlorination every 4-5 days. Every family in Guacuco Latino is connected to this system, which costs 2$/month.
Community members in Guacuco Latino access healthcare and dental care in the nearby town of Torti. Community leaders report the most common illness as gastrointenstinal infections, fevers, and high blood pressure. Skin infections are also very common among children. No Health Committee is active in the community, nor do any health care professionals live there. Approximately 90% of families have a stove in their houses, however many families continue to use a small flame to cook. Nearly all family homes have cement floors, but none have a water filtration system in the home.
Approximately 60% of families in Guacuco Latino support themselves through agriculture, where they predominately grow corn and rice. Many families also raise cattle to sell and for their own consumption. Community members do not have access to credit within Guacuco Latino, however they may receive credit through a cooperative in Torti. A few small businesses are active in the community, including a shop, a restaurant, a butchers shop and a few bars. The majority of homes in Guacuco Latino are constructed with cement blocks, wood walls, and metal roofs.
Guacuco Latino lacks an Environmental Committee, and does not have a recycling or health education system. Trash in the community is gathered to a communal dump in the community.
Currently no lawyers live in Guacuco Latino, nor are legal services or trainings available.
No other organizations work in Guacuco Latino at this time.
Medical and Dental Brigades work in Guacuco Latino.
Source of information: Key informant interview and 2010 government census
Date of interview: November 2013
Last Updated: February 28, 2014
Last Visited: February 12, 2014