Community voices for health access

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Panamá, I strive to support people as they take steps to strengthen their health and well-being.

In the region near the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé where I serve, access to necessities is limited. Clean water, sanitation, and healthcare are often out of reach, and families must travel outside of the community to see a doctor, a journey many cannot afford.

Supporting community leadership

I understand that my role as a Youth Health Facilitator is not to change the way people live or provide short-term resources. Instead, it is to walk alongside community members, supporting them as they take ownership of their health. My focus is on amplifying voices and equipping people with the tools and confidence that encourage lasting healthy lifestyles and relationships.

Building trust

Trust has been the foundation of my relationships with community members. I spend time in people's homes and listen as they share their challenges. I've heard stories that stay with me: pregnant women who couldn't get checkups, mothers who worried about their babies' nutrition, little kids with stomach aches due to drinking contaminated water, and people who lived with tooth pain until their teeth simply fell out. While I can't provide medical care, I can create spaces where people feel safe sharing their concerns, struggles, and hopes. I work to make sure those voices reach the people and institutions that can respond.

A request to the Ministry of Health

One afternoon, I sat with Virgilio, the community health president, and together we wrote a solicitud-a formal letter to the Ministry of Health and the district doctor. In it, we listed the community's requests: visits from a doctor, access to dental care, nutrition support, and HIV/STI testing. With Juan, another community member, we hand-delivered the request to the district health center and we shared the letter in person with the doctor, dentist, lab specialist, and health promoter. The community's needs were being presented directly, in their own words, by one of their own.

Community members speak up

Just a week later, more than 30 community members gathered with Ministry of Health representatives, including the doctor. One by one, people stood up to share their stories. Pregnant women asked for prenatal care. Adults talked about managing diabetes. Parents shared concerns about children with painful cavities. Elderly residents described their struggles to travel outside the community. Others voiced the need for HIV and STI testing. Each voice carried honesty, courage, and vulnerability. As I listened, I felt grateful for their bravery and passion. I can't give them the care they need, but I can help create a space where their voices carry weight.

Community needs are heard

Among those who spoke was Aixa, a mother with a newborn. She shared her concern about the lack of regular medical visits for mothers and children. In response, the Ministry of Health organized a special event that offered both maternal health services and HIV/STI testing through partnerships with other organizations. Since that meeting, HIV and STI testing has become available upon community request, and the district doctor has committed to visiting the community more consistently. A request for additional doctors and resources has also been sent to the regional Ministry of Health.

For me, the heart of being a Peace Corps Volunteer is listening deeply and standing beside people as they find their own voices, take action, and lead the change that will shape their futures.

Learn more about serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama.