LACA in Panama

Two students on LACA scholarships at the university.

LACA Gives First Panamanian Scholarship

Zulema Yanet Lopez Filos is a very personable woman, someone you would like to get to know better. She was born in La Chorrera, Panama, March 1971, the eleventh of 12 children. Although Zulema’s father instilled the value of education in his children, the family lived in poverty. Mr. Lopez could only provide for his children’s primary and secondary education. Through the years, Zulema yearned to attend the university.

A relative relates: “Any activity Zulema desires she puts her whole heart and soul into it. In school she always applied herself and received good grades.” Zulema’s mother helped support her large family with jobs caring for the elderly. She died in 1996 of heart disease. The whole family was devastated because she was “the heart and spirit” of the family, and their sole support at the time. To assist her family, Zulema took part-time jobs wherever she could find one because jobs were scarce.

Zulema married, but always felt a pull to further her education. Her husband, Kelly Filos, works seasonally, and struggles to support his family. Zulema is a community leader. Eight years ago, she helped form a neighborhood group called Cuatro Calles or “Four Streets.”

Neighbors who lived within these streets petitioned the city government for improvement of the disintegrating infrastructure. Not only were they able to accomplish their goal, they also lobbied successfully for better neighborhood lighting.

You may ask: Why does LACA support a 33 year old woman, when there are so many needy youngsters who want a scholarship? The answer: Because LACA is non-discriminatory. The Foundation looks for impoverished people with academic potential who will become leaders in their community and can make a difference in their families and society.

Because Zulema loves children, she has decided to major in pre-school education. She will be the recipient of a one year grant from the Calistoga CA Soroptomist Club. Friends of LACA who would like to sponsor a student may so designate on their contribution: $100 a year for a high school student and $1000-$1400 for a university student.

All LACA Projects in Panama

LACA Gives First Panamanian Scholarship

Zulema Yanet Lopez Filos is a very personable woman, someone you would like to get to know better. She was born in La Chorrera, Panama, March 1971, the eleventh of 12 children. Although Zulema’s father instilled the value of education in his children, the family lived in poverty. Mr. Lopez could only provide for his […]