Forum Foundation
Sustainable Change
Established in 2006, by John Keffer, we are a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting community development in the mountains of Cocle, Panama.
“Sustainability refers to change, something which has been a constant in the world for millennia. So, is change sustainable? Obviously yes – the world is dynamic and ever changing: one result adds to others.”
– John Keffer, Forum Foundation Founder
Our Programs
Committed to providing the support and tools communities can use to build a more prosperous future. Our work focuses on increasing and expanding access to learning opportunities for communities in the mountains of rural Cocle, Panama.
Forum Foundation programs provide support for students to complete secondary and university education. Promoting digital literacy as a key skill for lifelong learning and future success.
We believe in the importance of working together with community leaders, educators and parents, wherever our programs are offered.
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST!
Forward with Forum is Forum Foundation’s podcast for lifelong learners. Focused on sharing knowledge, skills, advice, and guidance with the communities we serve. We share inspiring stories of success and discuss the many ways in which we learn. Our podcast is produced in English and Spanish so that our listeners can grow their comprehension through listening. Download our episodes, learn something new. Join our conversation. Click below to listen to our latest episode or visit our dashboard and explore other episodes.
Our Stories
Tutors Inspired
Summer break is an excellent opportunity for Forum Foundation to offer workshops and training for our tutors. In early January 2023, Profesora Belkys Ruiz organized a special workshop for twenty-five of our tutors. During the five-day workshop, participants learned a variety of techniques and strategies to work with primary school children.
Next step, University
After two years of distance learning and one year in a classroom, Richard has accomplished his goal of graduating high school. His sites firmly set on attending university, he shares his experience and advice for those who hope and strive for a brighter future.
DREAMS COME TRUE, WITH EFFORT
Ossiris, future Math teacher, tells us how Forum Foundation scholarship assistance helped her finish and present her thesis. Her passion for mathematics and teaching has already had an influence on other young aspiring mathematicians.
THE FINAL KILOMETER: FORUM FOUNDATION ASSITANCE FOR UNIVERSITY GRADUATION
2022 revealed a new opportunity to provide assistance to university students. Young aspiring professionals like Evelyn, featured in this story, were struggling to cover the cost of their final projects and presentations. Forum Foundation assistance has helped make completing these final steps a reality.
Forward-thinking with Grayce Castaneda
Inspiring and full of enthusiasm, Grayce reflects on her learning journey and how Forum Foundation was able to support her along the way. Now a supervisor at a well-known call center in Panama City, Grayce has not stopped learning in her pursuit of success and a better future.
RAFAEL TENORIO FROM STUDENT TO PROFESSIONAL
After finishing his degree in Food Science and Technology, Rafael set out to apply the knowledge he has acquired in the real world. He tells us about how Forum Foundation helped him focus on his studies and later helped him review his resume and prepare for his job interview.
FORUM ACADEMY ALUMNUS LEADS SELF-ESTEEM WORKSHOP
July 2022 marked the return of Dalis Reyes. Currently, in her fifth year studying Psychology at the University of Panama in Panama City, Dalis prepared and delivered a special workshop on Self-Esteem titled “Soy Valioso.”
Exploring the Future of Education
The 2022 school year is sure to be arduous. As we return to in-person classes we wonder, what are we doing to shape the future of education? We decided to do some research and learned some interesting ideas and questions that we would like to share with you.
FoRUM FOUNDATION BENEFICIARIES AWARDED SENACYT SCHOLARSHIPS
Fantastic news to start the 2022 school year. Dianelsa and Lendy, have both received SENACYT scholarships to attend University of Southern Indiana. She shares her inspiring story and hopes for the future.
GET TO KNOW OUR COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS
Forum Foundation is committed to supporting exceptional students, so that they successfully complete high school and go on to university and lifelong learning. Click below to discover the stories of these inspiring people.
Elvia Martinez
Heroe por Panama
In 2018, Forum Academy and Elvia Martinez were nominated for TVN’s Heroes por Panama Awards. Click the link below to watch Elvia’s interview with TVN’s Castalia Pascual. Forum Foundation thanks Castalia Pascual for her support, as well as TVN and all who voted for taking our passion for education and sustainable change into consideration for these awards.