OREANDA-NEWS. July 22, 2015. Getting a good education is challenging under the best of circumstances. Imagine how difficult it can be for young people who also are working to overcome poverty, a high-crime rate and violent gangs in their neighborhoods. Under such trying conditions, education may be the most valuable tool in the toolbox.

For the first time, Ford Motor Company Fund is expanding its Ford Driving Dreams Tour to an international community by launching the innovative education program in Panama. The Tour brings scholarships, pep rallies and excitement to help keep students in school and on track for academic and career success. Panama’s Ministry of Education has selected more than 300 students from 19 public schools in some of the most vulnerable communities to kick off the program this week.

“These are some of our brightest students with good academic standing and unlimited potential, but there are intense pressures and distractions all around them,” said Marcela Paredes de V?squez, minister of education of Panama. “Ford Driving Dreams has been very successful in keeping students in school, engaged in their studies and focused on their future. We expect the same results here and can’t wait to get started.”