Parents Strike Indefinitely at Ngäbe Buglé School Over Lack of Water and Electricity

Parents at the Emplanada de Chorcha school in Panama's Ngäbe Buglé Comarca have initiated an indefinite strike, halting classes until their demands for potable water and electricity are met. The community's frustration stems from persistent deficiencies in basic services, which they argue are now impacting student health.

Domitila Palacios, a member of the Parents' Association, described the daily struggle for water. "There are animals there, worms, everything happens. We collect rainwater. We don't have potable water. We don't have a well that gives us a lot of water. We have to look for water far away," she stated, explaining that accessing water sources requires a half-hour journey.

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There are animals there, worms, everything happens. We collect rainwater. We don't have potable water. We don't have a well that gives us a lot of water. We have to look for water far away.

The parents are also demanding the reactivation of a technical committee that they believe was established to develop projects for water and electricity provision. They claim to be unaware of the current status of these initiatives. Nora Palacios, another parent representative, revealed that the strike was announced at the beginning of the school year due to a lack of official response.

She mentioned receiving a project proposal intended to appease them, but after six months, the situation remains unchanged. "This project was done by Conades. Why at this point are we still without a response and still carrying water in gallons?" Palacios questioned. The proposed project, estimated at $821,314.62 and intended to benefit 2,010 residents, is reportedly stalled, with parents seeking clarity on its progress and demanding the technical committee's reconvening to find a solution.

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This project was done by Conades. Why at this point are we still without a response and still carrying water in gallons?