Teacher Graciela's class with Embera indigenous children in Panama

1Aerial view of the Ella Puru Embera community, in the province of Colón (Panama), where teacher Graciela Bouche teaches indigenous children.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

2Graciela Bouche travels to the community on a boat on the Chagres River, which meets the Panama Canal.

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3Three children walk through the woods to one of the classes.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

4An indigenous woman arrives with her children to one of the classes run by the teacher Bouche, in Panama.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

5The impact of the covid-19 pandemic exacerbates the levels of poverty and inequity within the poorest and most vulnerable groups in indigenous populations.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

6Bouche gives a lesson to a group of indigenous children in a palm facility and with plastic chairs.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

7The teacher gestures in a class, protected by a mask.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

8This is the virtual class in the Ella Puru Embera community, Colón province, Panama, in an image from March 9, 2021. Luis ACOSTA AFP

9Students look at the computer during a class with teacher Bouche.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

10A group of children, wearing masks, wait in line to receive a snack after class.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

11An indigenous boy shows a picture he made of homework during class.

Luis ACOSTA AFP

12 Disparities in Panama will increase in the short and medium term as a consequence of the pandemic, which is expected to cause an increase in food insecurity and malnutrition, according to a study by the World Bank last October.

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13Almost a million students have suffered the interruption of face-to-face classes in the country, according to a study by the World Bank.

Luis ACOSTA AFP