Where We Work / Panama / Communities / Guzman «

A small elementary school sits in the center of the Guzman community. The school has classrooms, a kitchen, lunchroom, and garden. Five teachers run this elementary school, and the secondary school is located about 45 minutes away from the town.

Guzman receives it water from a gravity acqueduct, though water is only available 4 days a week, from 6am - 5pm. The water pressure is limited, and the water is chlorinated twice a month. A technician in the community, along with the seven-member water committee maintains the system. All families in the community are connected to this system which costs them $0.25/month however only about 50% of families are currently paying this fee.

Gúzman is home to a health post, staffed by health assistants with basic training. The most common ailments faced in this community are intestinal parasites, the common cold, and high blood pressure. No dental care is available. Only about 5% of the homes have flush toilets; the remaining homes use pit latrines. Nearly 90% of the homes have gas stoves, and about 50% have cement, rather than dirt, floors.

The majority of community members in Gúzman work in agriculture, producing corn and rice. Other forms of employment include masonry and carpentry. There is no access to credit or loans in the community.

Currently no environmental education nor committee is active in Guzman. The main form of trash disposal is burning, since there is no alternative waste management system.

No legal resources are available in Gúzman, though one lawyer does live in the community. Domestic violence is the most prevalent legal issue faced in this community.