top of page

Bud Keith Fund

Scholarships

Most blind students in Panama go to the same public schools as sighted students. Although their tuition is free, there are expenses associated with attending school, the largest being transportation and books. Those who attend private schools also have to pay tuition.  We provide stipends to the students during the school year, ranging from $40 per month for primary school students to $75 for university students.

Of the 14 people who have benefited from these stipends since 2008, six are still in the program.  Of the eight who have left, two graduated from high school, one earned a two-year university degree, three earned four-year university degrees, and one earned a Ph.D.  The eighth is still in school but no longer needs our stipend. These excellent results reflect the care that our Panamanian partner, Patronato Luz del Ciego, uses in selecting the students.  They also reflect the sustained supervision that the Patronato provides to the students.

 

The goal of our program is not diplomas but independence.  Jobs have eluded some of our graduates.  This is often due to factors other than their blindness – their family situations, health, living arrangements, or unrealistic career expectations.  The biggest impediment is employers’ reluctance to risk hiring a blind person, so we supplement the scholarship program with other job-related activities.

 

Sometimes, a student overcomes all obstacles and achieves a successful career. Read about our star, Ingrid Rivas.

Student stories

Photo of Eva Hernández

Eva Hernández

2019-Present

Photo of Ingrid Rivas

Ingrid Rivas

2012-2013

Photo of Erika Pimentel

Erika Pimentel

2010-2014, 2017-Present

Photo of Mauro Ávila

Mauro Ávila

2019

Photo of Giovanni Ibarra

Geovanni Ibarra

2013-2019

Photo of Marissa Vega

Marissa Vega

2012-Present

Photo of Luis Ortiz

Luis Ortiz

2019-Present

Photo of Estefania Cubillos

Estefania Cubillos

2016-2019

Photo of John Cedeño

John Cedeño

2014-Present

bottom of page