{"id":4871,"date":"2025-12-11T06:44:35","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T06:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepanamaproject.org\/?page_id=4871"},"modified":"2026-07-03T05:45:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T05:45:27","slug":"the-role-of-the-oral-hygiene-initiative","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/our-story\/the-role-of-the-oral-hygiene-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"The Role of the Oral Hygiene Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4871\" class=\"elementor elementor-4871\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a9dc8b6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a9dc8b6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47bb18f1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"47bb18f1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a54a713 elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-heading\" data-id=\"7a54a713\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" ><div class=\"ekit-heading elementskit-section-title-wraper text_center   ekit_heading_tablet-   ekit_heading_mobile-\"><h1 class=\"ekit-heading--title elementskit-section-title \">Rotaract Reefs \u2013 Educate. <span>Inspire.<\/span> Restore.<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-624abf3a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"624abf3a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c8bb9ce e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3c8bb9ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c06f58c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2c06f58c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/506461654_3274390212708097_4530994972159587277_n-copy-1024x622.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5298\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/506461654_3274390212708097_4530994972159587277_n-copy-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/506461654_3274390212708097_4530994972159587277_n-copy-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/506461654_3274390212708097_4530994972159587277_n-copy-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/506461654_3274390212708097_4530994972159587277_n-copy.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a63fe9d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3a63fe9d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-779c235b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"779c235b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Role of the Oral\nHygiene Initiative<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70b18fec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70b18fec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"109\" data-end=\"561\">The Oral Hygiene Initiative played a key role in the health-care component of The Panama Project. During their first restorative dental clinic in Panama, they discovered a troubling fact: the children in Bocas del Toro had more dental problems than children served in orphanages in Mexico, Thailand, Cambodia, and India. The difference? These children had the means to buy soda and candy at lunchtime \u2014 yet lacked the preventive education to offset it.<\/p><p data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"796\">The initiative quickly pivoted to deliver educational programs, adopt entire communities, and distribute 1,000 bamboo toothbrushes and fluoride treatments through volunteer missions, blending health, education, and Volunteer Tourism.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ddbaf9c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5ddbaf9c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c88ef9d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1c88ef9d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b4b7285 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1b4b7285\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-208015fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"208015fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/52-1024x768.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5299\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/52-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/52-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/52-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/52.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6776de91 gallery-spacing-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"6776de91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-4871 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6776de91\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"WhatsApp-Image-2025-05-24-at-9.52.24-AM-2.jpeg\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzEsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9kaXZhaW5kLmNvbVwveWFzMVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNlwvMDZcL1doYXRzQXBwLUltYWdlLTIwMjUtMDUtMjQtYXQtOS41Mi4yNC1BTS0yLmpwZWciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2Nzc2ZGU5MSJ9\" href='https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-05-24-at-9.52.24-AM-2.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-05-24-at-9.52.24-AM-2-300x201.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-05-24-at-9.52.24-AM-2-300x201.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-05-24-at-9.52.24-AM-2-1024x685.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-05-24-at-9.52.24-AM-2-768x514.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-05-24-at-9.52.24-AM-2.jpeg 1393w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6776de91\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"50.png\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NTMwMCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2RpdmFpbmQuY29tXC95YXMxXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI2XC8wN1wvNTAucG5nIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNjc3NmRlOTEifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/50.png'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/50-300x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/50-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/50-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/50-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/50.png 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-290526b6 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"290526b6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-79f10e50\" data-id=\"79f10e50\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72103290 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"72103290\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What\u2019s Next<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7beeaf32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7beeaf32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/54-1024x674.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5301\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/54-1024x674.png 1024w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/54-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/54-768x505.png 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/54.png 1450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d2f30d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d2f30d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tropical Arts_Bocas del Toro, Panama<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7da55a6d\" data-id=\"7da55a6d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69da06f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"69da06f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"112\" data-end=\"948\">Our next major goal in Bocas del Toro is to begin the design, funding and construction of a small clinic and storage facility that will serve as a central hub for our equipment and ongoing mission work. Transporting equipment from the United States to Bocas remains one of the most challenging and costly aspects of our efforts. By 2027, we aim to have a dedicated storage facility that can also function as a sterilization space\u2014and, in emergencies, as a one-patient operatory staffed by a small team of volunteers. In August 2026, we will return to host a large dental clinic and senior eyeglass distribution event. During that mission, we will also conduct site evaluations to identify the ideal location for this new building, a step that represents significant progress in creating sustainable long-term care for local communities.<\/p><p data-start=\"950\" data-end=\"1374\">None of this would be possible without the extraordinary generosity and partnership of the Rotarian owners and staff of Tropical Arts on Isla Careneros. Their support\u2014ranging from complimentary boat and equipment storage to the use of their remarkable over-the-water facilities and lodging, to countless favors and acts of kindness\u2014has been invaluable to our work. Their commitment has elevated every aspect of our missions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bc5a600 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3bc5a600\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cbbdf9c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1cbbdf9c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b7054b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b7054b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What\u2019s Next<\/h2><p data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"607\">At the heart of this support are two individuals whose leadership and dedication have been truly transformative: Erik Veenstra and Karen Ealy of the Rotary Club of Bocas del Toro. Their tireless advocacy, strategic guidance, and hands-on involvement have created the foundation upon which so much of our progress has been built. Whether coordinating resources, opening doors, offering insight, or simply stepping in wherever help is needed, Erik and Karen have been steadfast champions of our mission.<\/p><p data-start=\"609\" data-end=\"1216\">Their impact reaches far beyond logistics. They have provided the encouragement, stability, and local partnership necessary to make these large-scale projects not only possible but successful. The ongoing progress in Bocas del Toro \u2014 and the hope it brings to so many \u2014 is a testament to their commitment. Quite simply, we could not have accomplished what we have without Erik and Karen\u2019s support. Their contributions exemplify the true spirit of Rotary service, and their generosity continues to shape the future of our work in the region.<br data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1152\" \/><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/tropicalartsbocas.com\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1152\" data-end=\"1216\">https:\/\/tropicalartsbocas.com\/<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3afbd65c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3afbd65c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-744baa65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"744baa65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/55-1024x870.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5302\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/55-1024x870.png 1024w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/55-300x255.png 300w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/55-768x653.png 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/55.png 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f0243bc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4f0243bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-387887cd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"387887cd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-776c065e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"776c065e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/30-724x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5303\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/30-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/30-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/30-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/30-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/30-1448x2048.png 1448w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/30.png 1768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4073375c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4073375c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f029b32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f029b32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Why It Matters<\/h2><p data-start=\"100\" data-end=\"344\">The Panama Project is more than a pandemic-success story. It\u2019s a living testament to adaptability, collaboration, and purpose \u2014 a vivid reminder that one person\u2019s skills and vision, when aligned with community needs, can reshape entire systems.<\/p><p data-start=\"346\" data-end=\"489\">It shows that Rotary\u2019s strength lies not just in <em data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"415\">service above self<\/em>, but in service that multiplies \u2014 across sectors, islands, and the globe.<\/p><p data-start=\"491\" data-end=\"717\">From coral reefs to classrooms, from the rainforest canopy to the dental chair, Steve Bender\u2019s journey proves that isolation can be the birthplace of innovation \u2014 and that true impact begins with asking, <em data-start=\"695\" data-end=\"715\">\u201cHow can we help?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-174d8a77 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"174d8a77\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-227711df\" data-id=\"227711df\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ac95f8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5ac95f8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/57-1024x768.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5304\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/57-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/57-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/57-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/57-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/57.png 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ea72e1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ea72e1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tropical Arts_Bocas del Toro, Panama<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f2914be\" data-id=\"2f2914be\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2723d429 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2723d429\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What\u2019s Next for The Panama Project<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38ad9605 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"38ad9605\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"112\" data-end=\"516\">The Panama Project\u2019s next chapter is about strengthening what already works \u2014 and building what the community needs most. A small medical and dental center, volunteer cabanas, and a water ambulance will improve daily life on the islands, while new environmental efforts \u2014 from an aviary for the Great Green Macaw to expanded reef and forest restoration \u2014 will prepare the region for long-term resilience.<\/p><p data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"915\">This phase also brings in new collaborators. ArchiMAT will guide communities on how to select or create low-carbon, locally made materials, helping villages build sustainably without losing cultural identity. Together with creative partners, the project will launch pilot builds in areas that need them most \u2014 small structures that prove what responsible design can achieve with limited resources.<\/p><p data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1106\">Grounded in climate science from Drawdown and the Rotarian spirit of service, the Panama Project continues to evolve from an isolated effort into a model of practical, community-led change.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rotaract Reefs \u2013 Educate. Inspire. Restore. The Role of the Oral Hygiene Initiative The Oral Hygiene Initiative played a key [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":4198,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4871","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4871"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5524,"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4871\/revisions\/5524"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/divaind.com\/yas1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}