Bud Keith Fund for the Blind
Helping visually-impaired Panamanians
become financially self sufficient.
How it works
We partner with a private organization in Panama, the Patronato Luz del Ciego (Light for the Blind Foundation).
The Patronato’s exclusive mission is to provide rehabilitation services for the blind in Panama.
Leonal Abrego trains on a computer program
Since 2008, PCPF has funded a program to enable needy, visually-impaired Panamanians become financially self-sufficient.
The fund is named for Bud Keith, a blind Peace Corps volunteer who served at Panama’s Helen Keller School for the Blind in the 1960s. Read Bud Keith Biography.
The program began by providing financial support for two students. As donations have permitted, the number of Bud Keith Scholars has grown and the program has funded additional employment-related activities. We’ve provided five kinds of help:
Career Counseling
Read about the seminar we sponsored for blind high school and college students. Successful blind professionals described their careers and answered questions from the students.
Scholarships
We have provided scholarships for 10 students. Meet the students, read their stories.
Mobility Training
Mobility training helps visually impaired people travel independently using a cane. So far, we’ve paid for training 24 people.
Employment Experience
We’ve provided work experience to two people. Read about the different approaches we’ve tried.
On-the Job training
Read about computer training we provided for three people at their workplace.