Higueronal
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General Information
| Population* | 500 |
| Number of homes | 110 |
| Avg. # of people per home | 4.5 |
| Number and % of children |
(0-5): 45 / 9% (0-12): 100 / 20% |
| Electricity | yes |
| Corregimiento | Torti |
| District | Chepo |
| Corresponding Health Center | Centro de Salud - Torti |
| Distance from compounds | 20 minutes |
| 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
Higueronal is a latino community in Eastern Panama. The top needs expressed by the community are water and health infrastructure and access, along with improvements to the community’s education system.
Higueronal’s education system only provides primary school to the community’s children. There are 47 students who attend, with three teachers divided between them. For further education, the students are able to access the high school in Torti, which is about a 20-minute bus ride.
Higueronal has a water system, which is run through gravity aqueducts constructed in 1987. Water arrives into the communities everyday from the reservoir 5 kilometers away, however the water that arrives is not chlorinated and the community drinks the water without any filtration. The water committee has 5 members who meet with the community from the neighboring community of Sabana around once per month. 100% of the community is connected to the water system.
Higueronal has a Puesto de Salud (Health Facility) located in the center of the community alongside the primary school, which is managed by a Assistant Health Worker, Elvia Diaz. It has some basic medication needed for common sickness in the community, but does not have any medical equipment. The nearest Centro de Salud is in the town of Torti, which is 20 minutes away by bus. The nearest hospital is one and a half hours away in Chepo.
The most common illnesses seen by community members are fever, cold/flu, diarrhea, and vomiting. Only 3% of the community has hygienic latrines. 99% of the community has both gas running into their homes and cement floors. 0% of the community filters their water.
The majority of homes are constructed out of cinderblock and wood with zinc-plate roofs. Approximately 75% of community members identify their main source of income earned through agriculture. Other common industries are livestock and logging. The community raises a variety of animals for consumption as well as for sale including cows, pigs, and chickens. Also, the community grows and sells rice. Within Higueronal there are small businesses including: a butcher/meat store, fruitstands, kiosks, restaurants, a small bar, and a hostel. The women of the community are largely teachers.
There is no bank or financial institution located within Higueronal. In order to seek credit, community members must leave the community in order to get to the nearest bank, however this does not guarantee they will receive any credit. Without a community bank or cooperative, Higueronal lacks the appropriate and necessary access to financial resources.
The community of Higueronal does not have in place a proper waste management system, however they do collect the trash to go to the nearby landfill, which is unregulated and does not have any safety parameters. The community does not recycle any of their goods. For environmental education, there is currently no program that exists, resulting in a deficit of education on the topics of waste management and sustainable agriculture. Higueronal does not currently have an Environmental Committee, though is looking to build environmental awareness within the community.
Higueronal does not have any lawyers available within the community, nor anyone with any type of legal training. In order to receive legal counsel or other services, community members must go to Panama City, or try their luck in nearby Chepo. There is limited knowledge regarding the need for lawyers and their legal rights. There is no collective land within the community, and almost all members have titles to their land.
Within Higueronal, there is strong sense of community and togetherness amongst its members. They feel it is easy to organize for meetings and initiatives. Global Brigades has been told by the community leaders that they are motivated to collaborate and build our relationship further.