Casco Viejo Panama
Panama Casco Antiguo
Real Estate for Sale For Rent
at Panama City´s Historic Town



Social change can be tackled different ways, but probably the most sustainable one is when people from all layers of a community come together for a common goal. Whether it is a small project or a big master plan, involvement is the key: being part of it. Enjoying it!

For some years now, Casco Antiguo has been a grassroots experiment on social change: how to build a mixed income, mixed cultural community and at the same time help fight extreme poverty.

Today, many problematic groups have gone through social programs that have made them more community oriented, there are several NGO´s working with children, teenagers and women, and the new residents have taken a lead into getting involved. 

Yesterday, a beautiful project started. A small one, but significant: a futbol league for local children. For those not used to Panama´s school calendar, the school year has a two to three months vacation from January to March (our summer) where children have nothing else to do but be in the streets. This is where Nico, a local guy from 4th street thought of organizing a soccer league. 

Now, it seems like a normal request, but it isn´t. Nico used to be (and still is) the head of the Calle 4ta gang.  Although gangs in Casco Viejo don´t reach any US standards (in case there are standards for it), they did move through several illegal businesses.  Nico and his gang went through one of the resocialization programs and today his family owns a juice shop (VIP Juice) which has already expanded to a small restaurant.  He also had a son a year ago, a big impact on his life.  Caring for others, caring for children in the neighborhood has come naturally, but it seems only natural under the light of his experiences under the program.

The children that where at the league where also important: they are kids that are constantly at risk as most families are below the poverty line, even assuming they have both parents and that they even care about them. Also, they where kids of the entire area, mixing all the streets together, so they could get to know each other.

Yesterday, the league was inaugurated. Neighbors joined into fund raising and got the official TShirts (Thanks Olivier!) and everything needed.  The enthusiasm was in the air, even when it rained, the kids had a smile on their faces. The league will continue throughout the weekend. However the experience will last way longer than that.

We want to thank everyone in AVACA who supported this activity, couldn´t be able to list them all, but I want to thank specifically Matt for helping organize the fund raising and Olivier who helped get the equipment. To all of you who donated either energy or funds... a big THANKS!!!!