| Social Development |
Bladex takes it corporate social responsibility seriously, playing an important role in those communities in which it is our privilege to work. In 2007, the Bank’s human and financial resources in this respect were focused primarily on education, which presents the greatest challenges, and opportunities, for our people. Our contributions helped to keep the Tutorial Learning Program (SAT) in operation. Conducted by the Wong Foundation in Ecuador, this program benefits hundreds of youths from rural areas, giving them access to high-school level studies. In addition, we joined the Export-Import Bank of Trinidad & Tobago in supporting a cultural program through which children with limited resources are taught to play musical instruments. In Panama, Bladex has contributed to over 25 nonprofit organizations focused on childhood, education, and culture. The Marie Poussepin Educational Center has been our main project, with improvement of the school’s infrastructure, expansion of the computer laboratory and psycho-social support programs for its students. This work performed at the institutional level has been reinforced with voluntary work by the Bank’s collaborators, who have contributed time and their own resources to the success of the projects. For the third consecutive year, we continued the program, “Promoting Education”, which gives 145 boys and girls scholarships sponsored by members of Bladex. This program also provides knapsacks with school supplies to hundreds of students of the Marie Poussepin School, and enables the creation and development of cultural and educational activities for the school’s students. |
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