Volunteer program in an organic farm in Darien

  Panama

Panama City

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Santa Fe in Darien is a place that will impact your life. Volunteer abroad with EcoCircuitos, Panama and work side-by-side with local community in the Darien and experience a diverse culture in the last frontier of Panama. This inspiring experience will help you in your future career and goals. It's the experience of a lifetime. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself.

Highlights: In the Community of Santa Fe in Darien, six hours by car from Panama City you will be working an a new organic farm that is trying to promote and market their products in Panama City and other major cities in the country. The Community Center in Santa Fe del Darien that owns 6 hectares of farmland and 40 hectares of protected land. The community is very conservative, traditional and in the small town of Santa Fe respect and reputation are of high importance. We will strive to integrate with the community, maintaining the local culture and avoiding foreign influence; volunteers in this program should take a serious approach to volunteering and blending in with the local community.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Panama City
Arrive in Panama City. A representative of EcoCircuitos will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a hotel in Panama City.

Day 2: Transfer to Santa Fe, Darien
Today after breakfast you will be transferred to Santa Fe, Darien. We travel along the Pan-American Highway toward the border of Colombia. After several police checkpoints, we travel through a Kuna Indian reserve (Comarca) and stop at a small Kuna market. Once in the Darien Province the paved road ends and we begin travelling on rough terrain. We will lunch at local restaurant with simple food based on rice, beans and meat (usually chicken, pork or beef).   After lunch we continue to Santa Fe, your home for the coming days. Dinner in the community. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Days 3-6: Service Experience, Santa Fe
The following days you will assist with a variety of conservation and construction-related projects in the community. There are different projects for an organic farm and a Santa Fe Artisan Cooperative, a non-profit crafts cooperative dedicated to enhance the economic and emotional well-being of local women. Volunteers will assist community members in the marketing of their products such as organic soap and organic tea. Also in several mountain villages, volunteers will help renovate schools and clinics, assist local co-ops or help with the coffee harvest.

You can also work with local people making walking paths, building rain shelters, constructing bridges and planting trees while you learn and observe the beautiful nature surrounding you. In nearby rural mountain villages, volunteers will assist with numerous community infrastructure projects identified by each community.

Day 7: Return to Panama City
Today prepare your backpack to return to Panama City. Free afternoon to relax and explore Panama Citys downtown. Optional Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to international airport for your flight out.

Qualifications:
- High energy level
- knowledge of Organic farming
- good health
- driving skills
- computer skills
- enjoy outdoors

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Cost in US$: 1295.00 - 1595.00

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: This is a great program for couples, families, students and teachers! Our volunteers are culturally curious and open-minded people looking to contribute to a community development project and to improve their understanding of different ways of life, the social struggles in developing communities. They are all ages, from various ethnic backgrounds and of all different professions, such as educators, students, laborers, medical professionals, full-time parents, professionals, artists, bankers and the like.

Age Range: 21 and up

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Panama Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

EcoCircuitos Panama's Mission Statement: EcoCircuitos is Tour Operator committed to the development of ecotourism and the preservation of the environment. Our philosophy is to approach each destination carefully, considering the impact that tours will have on the flora and fauna of the area. Guides are chosen, based not only on their knowledge of a region, but also on their ability to respect the environment and share their knowledge with visitors in an engaging and enjoyable manner. We specialize in hiking, bird watching, educational, cultural tours, volunteer vacations and nature tours for small groups, individuals and couples.

Year Founded: 1999