Volunteer in Panama with Global Volunteer Network

The Panama projects are based in the small amd charming flower covered mountain village of Boquete. It is a picturesque tropical rainforest tucked away on the eastern slopes of Volcan Baru. Boquete is quickly becoming a destination for those visitors seeking the most enchanting weather in the world and is an outdoor adventure paradise.

http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/panama/image/index.jpg

Volunteers may choose to work in the following areas:

As a volunteer you have the opportunity to help children in need and aid in developing and inspiring their minds and hearts. These children seek love, attention, knowledge and education to empower them to have successful futures, free from poverty and filled with opportunities. This program works to create growth and development opportunities for children and teenagers in extreme poverty conditions with a focus on children living in orphanages and those who come from low income families. Volunteer opportunities include: working in orphanages assisting with daily activities and childcare duties, performing psychological profiling of new arrivals and other social service duties; working with teenage mothers and their newborn children; working as a youth mentor helping with homework and being a friend to confide in and talk too; running Saturday morning soccer; and music classes. As some of these projects are not full-time, volunteers must be able to join 2 to 3 projects to build a full-time schedule. This role is suitable for a positive, caring, motivated, and self-directed person who has a love for children and has childcare experience.

The ability to read, write and speak English is key for many Panamanians in the workforce or those planning to enter the workforce. Reading makes it possible to obtain knowledge that would not otherwise be absorbed into our minds. It gives us increased levels of self-esteem, enhances our personal self-worth and our self-confidence to succeed in fulfilling our hopes and desires. Volunteers have the opportunity to teach English and Literacy skills. Teaching and reading is done one-on-one or in small groups. This role is suitable for an organized, patient, and self-motivated individual. A teaching qualification is not required, but volunteers need to be confident teaching English and preferably have or are studying towards a university degree. Volunteers are not required to speak Spanish however a basic knowledge is beneficial.

Our partner works with a number of small community based organizations that provide important services to enhance the local community. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with the disabled, animal wildlife programs, nutrition projects, and community recycling. Most projects are not full-time, so volunteers can expect to be placed in a combination of projects. Placements will be allocated with volunteers interests in mind, but please note that you will need to be flexible.

Disabled Centre for Children and Adults: Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a center for the disabled giving physical or speech therapy to both children and adults. This can include playing games, pushing someone in a wheelchair, reading a book, helping with handicrafts, or just being available to lend a helping hand where needed.

Animal Refuge Project: Volunteers will work with an animal refuge and educational centre that saves and provides a home for unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals, and also provides a long-term home for macaw parrots. Volunteers are needed to assist in caring for the animals, maintaining the center, increasing awareness, and providing valuable information to guests of the center.

Nutrition Project: The Boquete area has a large, generally poor, indigenous population in which malnutrition is a problem. Our partner works with local groups in an effort to reduce end this problem. Currently, school children and members of the community in dire need are recipients of food parcels; the attendance rate has increased by 30% since the project started. Volunteers will be involved in food collection and sorting, visiting families with food parcels, and spending time and getting to know recipients.

Recycle it:: Volunteers have the opportunity to work in one of two community projects. The first project runs school based programs in conjunction with collecting recyclable products. Volunteers will promote art by using recycled items to educate school children about the value of recycling and their responsibility to the environment. The second project provides a service to the community by redistributing surplus goods to those who need them. They work with any serviceable commodity including, but not limited to, clothing, appliances, books, shoes, furniture, houseware, etc. Volunteers are needed to assist with the collecting, sorting, and distribution of materials.

The Gem Project: The GEM Project is a jewelry-making empowerment program that inspires positive thinking, global giving, and creative power for positive individual and social change. The GEM Project is currently working with mothers with children with disabilities, and young pregnant teens who are struggling to care for themselves and their babies. The GEM Project is currently seeking volunteers that are skilled jewellery designers, GEM Mentors, and GEM Motivational Leaders. Both English and Spanish speakers are welcome. Male volunteers may be limited in participating with certain activities and events.