The scholarships are named for Bud Keith, who was PCPF’s President for 16 years. Just before his death in 2008, Bud expressed the view that Patronato Luz del Ciego (PLC) was Panama’s most effective organization helping the blind.

Most blind students in Panama go to the same public schools as sighted students. Although their classes are free, there are expenses associated with attending school, the largest being transportation.

 PLC is using PCPF’s money to provide two students with a stipend to cover those expenses. A student in high school gets $40 per month during the school year while a college student gets $75 per month. PLC disburses the money monthly and PLC’s social worker monitors the students’ academic performance. If a student doesn’t apply himself, PLC will select another student to receive the aid.

The students selected to receive the stipends are Alejandro Martínez, Yaneth Sánchez, and Erika Pimentel.

• Alejandro was born in the Darien and now lives in the Curundu slum in Panama City. His vision gradually deteriorated since birth and at the age of 30 he was no longer able to work. He had been working as a sailor and ship’s mechanic. He is now 35 and in his first year of college, where he maintains an A- average. He is working to become a teacher
   
• Yaneth lives with her parents and five siblings in Nuevo Esperanza Arriba. She lost her sight at the age of 17, the result of surgery to remove a brain tumor. Now 26, she received PCPF’s help to finish the 11th and 12th grades, culminating in a December 2009 graduation. Her family is desperately poor, so she is looking for a job instead of going to college.
   
• Erika will replace Yaneth as a beneficiary of the program in 2010. She is 15. She began to have vision problems at the age of five and completely lost her sight two years ago, the result of detached retinas. She currently attends a full day of training at the Patronato and then takes the bus to a night school near her home in Arraiján. Those classes end at 10 PM and she is back at the Patronato at 9 AM the next morning. With our assistance, she hopes to attend high school during the day instead of at night. The Patronato staff assures us that she is both bright and highly motivated.
   

The ability of Erika, Alejandro, and others to continue their studies depends on us. Please give generously to the Bud Keith Scholarship Fund for the Blind. Follow the students' progress in El Bochinche.

People wishing to donate to the Fund can do so:

• On-line.  By credit card or PayPal.  It's fast, free and secure!
   

  

• By check made out to "Peace Corps Panama Friends" memo "Bud Keith Scholarship Fund for the Blind" mailed to:
  
     Peace Corps Panama Friends
     21 Farm Haven Court
     Rockville, MD 20852-4231