Canopy Family
Project
In the remote region of Darién in eastern Panama, the Canopy Family has been working with the community of Nuevo Vigia Embera since 2014. The community has embraced and joined us in our ecotourism efforts in many ways, yet still live with only basic necessities. The Canopy Family would like to assist Nuevo Vigia further by providing general supplies and useful daily items (which are difficult to get to the community otherwise) to enrich the lives of the community members.
Needs
General School Supplies:
Book Bags, College-Ruled Paper, Colored Construction Paper, Colored Pencils, Compasses, Crayons, Dry-Erase Markers, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, Solar Calculators, Solar Lantern Lights, and Wide-Ruled Paper
Reference Materials:
(English and Spanish) Dictionaries
Flash Cards:
(English and Spanish) Alphabet, Math, and Word
Laminated Wall Charts:
(Spanish) Human Body, Language, Math, Science, and World Maps
Text/Reading Books:
(Spanish) Age-Appropriate Story Books, Biology, General Science, Health, Language/Grammar, and Math
Computer Hardware/Software:
Mobile Phones
Educational Games/Toys:
Connect Four, Stuffed Animals/Soft Toys, and Puzzles
Music Instruments:
Harmonicas/Kazoos, Maracas, Recorders, and Xylophones
Sports/Outdoor Activity:
Baseballs, Baseball Equipment, Baseball Gloves, Frisbees, Inflation Pumps, Jump Ropes, Netball/Basketballs, Soccer Balls, Team Uniforms/Kits for Soccer, Tennis Balls, and Whistles
Clothing/Shoes:
New Bras, New or Gently Used Children’s Clothing and Shoes, New Underwear,and Sports Caps and Hats
Linens:
Bath Towels, Bed Linens, Light Blankets, Linen Sets, Mosquito Nets, and Pillows
Kitchen:
Bowls, Pans, Plastic Serving Bowls, Plastic Serving Cups, Plastic Serving Plates, Pots, Serving Spoons, and Spatulas
Non-Perishable Food Items:
Canned Beans, Canned Vegetables, and Rice
Health/Personal Grooming:
Antibiotic Ointments, Band-Aids, Bars of Soap, Combs, Deodorant, Hair Brushes, Hair Pins and Elastic Hair Bands, Hand Cream, Multivitamin Tablets, Plastic Gloves, Reading Glasses of Assorted Strengths, Sanitary Napkins, Shampoos, Tampons, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Vaseline, and Washing Powder
Art Supplies for Artist Initiatives and Community Produced Projects: Acrylic Brushes and Paints, Beads for Bead Work, Buttons, Clothing Catalogs, Craft Glue, Craft Scissors, Crochet Hooks, Earring Hooks, Fabric Scissors, Gage Wire, Glass Beads for Bead Work, Sewing Needles, Sewing Scissors, Tape Measures, Thread, Watercolor Brushes and Paints, Wire Cutters, and Wool
Gardening:
Cloth Caddy for Small Tools, Hand Fork, Small Pruning Shears, Spades, and Trowel
Initiatives Supported
Listed on this page are the specific needs requested by the community project(s) so you can choose exactly what to pack for a purpose and express your gratitude to the local community with the supplies you take them. If you prefer, you may reach out directly to them to inquire about items which may be available for purchase locally. Arranging visits to community projects is beyond the scope of our mission. If you wish to visit a project, contact the participant and they can let you know what is possible.
Candy and balloons are not on the needs list as they are harmful for the children and the environment for the following reasons:
• Few of the children benefiting from these projects have access to toothpaste, toothbrushes, or a dentist. The candy promotes cavities.
• The balloons once they become deflated are a choking hazard for local wildlife.
Instead of taking candy or balloons, use that space for additional requested supplies, as they are priceless.
