Choose a team and help Us Reach the finish Line
It all started in 2015, when we held our first 5K fundraiser at our annual in-person board retreat. We were excited to try a new fundraising event while engaging in a bit of healthy competition; little did we know that it would turn into our second-biggest annual fundraiser down the road!
In 2023, we are excited to continue our tradition as we approach our 9th annual Run for Change 5k! A group of us will be running together at the board retreat in the Hudson Valley, while the rest of our group will run in various parts of the country, and world! Our fundraising goal this year is $8,000 - enough to support our high school students who are entering their last year of high school and have already completed their three-year scholarships, as well as some of our university students. These high school students are so close to the finish line, can we help them make it across? Our event is on Sunday, October 15th this year, just after Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 9th. For this year’s Run for Change 5K, let’s celebrate the Ngäbe people that we work with, and use our privilege to lift up indigenous students as they continue to fight injustices and inequities in their communities.
For our 9th year, can we raise $8,000?!
As they say in Panama, “¡Dale pues!” // “Lets do it!” Pick your Run for Change team to support, below!
Run for Change 2023 Teams
Team Amanda
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Katie C. is running for Amanda, who will be in her final year of high school next year. Amanda hopes to be either a math or English teacher and plans to continue studying in university. In her recommendation letter for her Few for Change application, her teacher wrote that Amanda “considers school her second home.” In her free time, she likes to play soccer and swim in the river. Donate to Team Amanda to help her finish her last year of high school!
Team Edith
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Katie M. is running for Edith, who is in her 11th year of school. Edith has faced natural barriers to education access such as not having a bridge to cross the river to get to school when bad weather occurs. She has taken these challenges as motivation to become an even better student and leader to stay accountable; Edith dreams of becoming a teacher and seeing the children in her community have better access to education. Donate to Team Edith to help her achieve these goals!
Team Daniel
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Brooks is running for Daniel who is entering 12th grade. Daniel’s favorite subject is Math and he dreams of going to college and then forming a sales cooperative that engages young people in his community. Daniel likes to sing, read, and write poetry. Donate to Team Daniel to help him finish high school and pursue his dreams!
Team Raul
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Abby is running for Raul Antonio, who is entering 12th grade. Raul Antonio likes to wake up early so he can be sure to get to school on time. He is inspired to practice medicine because he has seen firsthand how medical specialists were able to provide crucial support to a family member. Raul was inspired by the specialists, and believes a leader is someone who uses their education to help patients with extra challenges. He wants to continue studying, so he can become a leader in his family and his community. Donate to team Raul to help him achieve his goal of becoming a nurse!
Team Jose mAnuel
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Tim is running for Jose Manuel, who is our first student to continue their studies in the U.S!! Jose Manuel is in his first year of a 5 program at Rowan University in New Jersey. The first year he is taking intensive English classes, followed by 4 years of biomedicine. Jose Manuel was in the top of his class in high school, which earned him a scholarship to study abroad. Although his scholarship pays for his classes and housing, our Few For Change scholarship will provide him with additional support to help navigate living in a foreign country. Donate to team Jose Manuel today to support his exciting journey!
Team Mairon
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Amy is running for Mairon, an 11th grader finishing his high school studies in Hato Chamí. He is specializing in tourism, and we're excited for him to finish high school and see where he goes next! Mairon is inspired by a local Ngäbe doctor in his community, and is passionate about working hard to bring an easier way of life to his family. Help him finish high school strong by donating to Team Mairon today!
Team Kenneth
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Morgan is running for Kenneth, who is currently in 11th grade. Kenneth likes math because it was a subject that he struggled with but worked hard on to improve, and now is prepared to succeed in the class. He was also chosen recently to compete in a national poetry contest, and likes reciting poetry and playing sports in his free time. Donate to team Kenneth today to help him finish his high school studies!
Team alexander G.
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Tara is running for Alexander G., who is in his first year of university at Universidad Latina de Panamá. Alexander is pursuing a degree in law and political science, and hopes to use his knowledge to help defend the rights of all people. Alexander likes to help people, particularly when it comes to encouraging young people to continue their studies. Donate to team Alexander to help him to be able to continue his studies as well!
Team damaris
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Jessica is running for Damaris, who is an 11th grader finishing her studies in San Félix. Damaris enjoys history and learning about the events that shaped her country and comarca. She is inspired to continue her studies after high school by her aunt, who recently finished her degree at a university after overcoming many obstacles. Damaris hopes to become a professor and share her knowledge with others in her community. Donate to team Damaris today to help her achieve these goals!
Team Mercedes
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Katya is running for Mercedes who is currently in the 11th grade at Escuela Buena Vista. Mercedes hopes to attend Escuela Nominal de Santiago to become a teacher. Her dream is to create a school in the community of Cerro Balsa, where she is from, so that children do not have to travel far to attend school. Mercedes would love to teach math because she wants to help students understand a difficult subject. Support Mercedes today!
Team Yolesni
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Ari is running for Yolesni who is finishing her second year of teacher’s college this year. All teachers in Panama study at the Superior Pedagogical Institute of Juan Demóstenes Arosemena in Santiago where Yolesni is working towards earning her Bachelor’s in Education for the Primary Stage of General Basic Education. This degree requires three years of study and next year Yolesni will complete her coursework as well as student teaching placements. After earning her degree, Yolesni will be qualified to teach primary school (grades 1-6) at any school in Panama. One of Yolesni’s future goals is to improve the quality of education within the Comarca. Donate to Team Yolesni to help support a future educator!
Team SADOC
0% funded $0.00 of $700 raised
Johanna is running for Sadoc, who is an 11th grader in Hato Chamí. Sadoc is inspired to continue his studies for his family and community. He believes education is the only way to change the future of his village. He is also committed to addressing the environmental problems in his community like deforestation and water contamination, and wants to help educate people on these issues. Donate to team Sadoc today to help him continue his studies!
Run for Change 5k Photo Gallery (2021-2020)
From the Blog: Cultivating Change
In Their Own Words: Few for Change students on COVID, remote learning, and the importance of the scholarship
Decolonizing Few for Change
Reflecting on access to education in a global pandemic
An Overview of Panama's Indigenous Communities: Part I - Western Panama
An Overview of Panama's Indigenous Communities: Part II – Eastern Panama
…and just for fun!
