NEW: Building Capacity for Youth Development through Education and Sports – 2025

Overview

Purpose: To assist Asociación Deportiva Curundú (ADC), a group dedicated to diminishing social risks in the community by promoting education and sports, in becoming a sustainable community-based organization.

The community: Curundú, one of Panama City’s most marginalized districts, holds the fourth largest Afrodescendant population in Panama. Its immigrant roots persist, with most residents being Black Panamanians from Darien, Black Colombians, and Indigenous migrants. Despite its current marginalization in Panamanian society, Curundú is the backbone of the city, with many working in the informal economy to provide essential goods and services. The community supports each other, especially the youth, through innovative efforts and grassroots fundraising. Curundú thrives on solidarity, using creativity and resourcefulness to overcome adversity and build a strong, interconnected support system.

Topics for learning and reflection:

• Learning from Community Innovation: Reflecting on how communities like Curundú have created innovative solutions to address local challenges despite limited resources and systemic barriers. What can we learn from their creativity and resilience?
• Reframing Outsider Involvement: Considering the ethical implications of programs that send outsiders into marginalized communities. How can students approach this experience with humility and an openness to learn rather than seeing themselves as saviors?
• Empowerment through Community Strength: Exploring how Curundú and ADC empower themselves and their youth through grassroots efforts. How can outsiders shift their perspective from “helping” to being empowered by the community’s own strengths?
• Sustainability Without External Support: Reflecting on how Curundú has solved community problems without the backing of major corporations or government support. What can be learned about sustainability and self-reliance?.

Community Partnership(s)

Asociacion Deportiva Curundú (ADC) is a grassroot social organization that’s working to become a recognized non-profit organization. ADC is dedicated to diminishing social risks in the community by promoting education and sports. The vision of ADC is to be recognized not only as the best football academy but also as a tool to form agents of change in their schools, homes, and communities. ADC was founded in June 2014 by two young people from Corregimiento de Curundú to combat violence, school dropout rates, and drug consumption. This DukeEngage Program is designed to assist ADC in becoming a sustainable community-based organization.

Projects may include the following:

• Research and Strategy Development: Students will work closely with Asociación Deportiva Curundú (ADC) to conduct research on non-profit designations, including understanding the legal and financial requirements necessary for ADC to become a recognized non-profit. They will also be responsible for researching sustainable funding models that fit ADC’s mission and context. Students will help fill out forms, draft necessary documents, and prepare the application for ADC’s non-profit status. This will involve close collaboration with ADC leaders and legal experts.
• Collaboration with The Metropolitan School of Panama: Students will team up with local students to brainstorm and implement strategies for ADC’s transition into a non-profit. This may include working on business models, researching grants, or developing social media and digital strategies to increase ADC’s visibility.
• Sustainable Funding Model Development: Students will help ADC by identifying potential donors and financial support entities that align with their mission, particularly those relevant to their future non-profit status. They will also assist with interim financial planning by analyzing ADC’s current finances, creating a budget, and helping to structure their fundraising efforts more effectively. This includes reviewing in-kind donations and developing strategies for financial projections and long-term sustainability.
• Collaborating with Community Partners: Although ADC does not yet have official non-profit status, they have established relationships with community partners, such as AfroLatinx Travel, Getsabel Rodriguez’s company, and Liga Pro Futbol Panama. Students will meet with these partners to strengthen and maximize their support, potentially organizing targeted campaigns that highlight the social impact of ADC. They may also work to secure internships and other growth opportunities for ADC members through these partnerships.
• Fostering Entrepreneurship for ADC: Students will help ADC develop entrepreneurship models that support both their initiatives and provide players with income to contribute to their families, addressing financial pressures that lead to school dropouts. They’ll conduct interviews and surveys with ADC players to understand their financial pressures, skill sets, and interests, and explore sustainable ventures that align with their skills while funding ADC’s programs.
• Enhancing Culturally Affirming Educational Opportunities: Students will help ADC develop an annual curriculum that includes planning cultural field trips and soccer clinics. This work will primarily focus on curriculum development and organization, rather than leading the activities themselves. The goal is to create a structured program that can be presented to donors, helping ADC demonstrate its impact and planning capabilities.

Program Requirements

Language: Spanish language skills would be beneficial but are not a requirement.

Coursework: All majors or academic backgrounds are welcome.

Skills: Research skills (qualitative & quantitative), writing and verbal communication skills, fundraising and financial planning, design skills such as graphic design, sports management, entrepreneurship

Personal Qualities: We are seeking self-motivated students who are eager to immerse themselves in the Curundú community and contribute meaningfully to ADC’s mission. Ideal candidates will be open to listening and learning from local residents, able to collaborate well with diverse teams, and willing to share their skills while respecting the community’s strengths. Students should be adaptable, culturally sensitive, and committed to working alongside others with humility and a genuine desire to make an impact. Flexibility and a strong commitment to building connections over the program are key qualities for success.

Logistics

Housing, meals, and transportation: Students will stay in dormitories at Ciudad del Saber, which are also used by Florida State University–Panama students and other guests visiting the multinational site. The dorms have cooking facilities, and restaurants, a pharmacy, and convenience stores are nearby. Full grocery stores, such as El Rey, are also a short commute away. For daily transportation to work, students will use public transit or pre-arranged transport depending on their work location.

Local safety, security, and cultural norms: We encourage students who have questions or concerns about health or safety in international programs to check Duke’s International SOS (ISOS) portal for relevant information. If you have special needs related to health, culture, disability, or religious practices, please contact the program director(s) or the DukeEngage office to discuss whether your needs can be accommodated in this program.

For guidance on how race, religion, sexual/gender identity, ability, or other aspects of identity might impact your travels, we suggest exploring the Diversity, Identity and Global Travel section of the DukeEngage website.

Academic Connections

This program is open to all students and may especially appeal to those studying sports, development, public policy, African American studies, or Afro-Latin American studies, as well as those with an interest in sports, community development, the Spanish language, and the Afro-Latin American experience. Students who participate in this program may go on to pursue careers or further studies in international development, sport/business management, or research on Afro-diasporic populations in Latin America through various courses, certificates, and degree programs.