Work on a Small Organic Coffee Farm

  Panama

Boquete

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: July 26-September 19

Description: IVH has recently partnered with the small community of Valle de la Mina, located in Chiriqui Province, Panama. It is about one hour northeast of David, Panama's second largest city and regional airport hub.

Valle de la Mina is located on a mountainside in the Fortuna Forest Reserve and its economy used to be largely based on coffee production. When coffee prices plunged, many community members went on to work for a relatively new hydro-electric dam in the Reserve. Today, there is underemployment and some families have returned to growing coffee.

The community is in a ripe place for positive community development. As the community is searching for economic alternatives, it wants to enhance its appeal as an eco-tourist destination by using its physical environment as an asset and by looking into the benefits of entering the high-end market of organic coffee production.

There is a newly built eco-hostel in the community that continuously promotes sustainable development. The two owners, Andrew and Patrick, have been very active in the community and contribute to the community by offering their guests local organic coffee tours, horseback riding, local nature guides, and by providing other local employment. We have partnered with Andrew and Patrick for the upcoming volunteer project.

Highlights: Chiriqui Province is in the Cloud Rainforest of Panama and is home to monkeys and other jungle wildlife. There will be a chance to go hiking, swimming at the local waterfall, and participate in cultural activities. This is a very unique and inexpensive chance to be immersed in the local Panamanian way of life.

Qualifications: There is a one week minimum stay. Just register online with a USD 25.00 registration fee. Pay USD 200.00 upon arrival in Panama. This fee covers the cost of program tools and staff, housing, meals, and local transportation.

Cost in US$: USD 225.00

Salary / Pay: This volunteer position is very flexible and inexpensive. Stay for one week or two, or stay for the entire eight weeks. It is only USD 225.00 per week.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The International Volunteer Hub is catered toward independent travelers who would like to get away for a week on a small volunteer trip, or for those on a backpacking voyage who would like to stop and stay in one place for awhile while doing some good work with good people.

Age Range: 13 and up

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Panama Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 3-4

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

International Volunteer Hub's Mission Statement: Our projects are dedicated to educating participants about our world's many different cultures in an affordable way. We promote sustainable community development by facilitating asset-based project modeling and by fostering an empowering exchange between the local community and the volunteer. Our projects are primarily focused on restoring the environment, fostering youth development, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Year Founded: 2009