Volunteer in Panama

  Panama

• Other Cities in Panama: 
Boquete

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: ongoing

Description: The Global Volunteer Network offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities in Panama. Volunteers can work with an assortment of organizations including orphanages, schools, wildlife, and environmental organizations, working with the elderly or handicapped, literacy projects, jewellery making, and much more!

* Children's Programs
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.

* Literacy Program
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.

* Community Outreach Programs
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.

Highlights: Boquete is located 30 minutes away from David, which is the second largest city in Panama. In David you can encounter a wide range of international cuisines, museums, cinemas, shopping malls, dance clubs, and bars. It is also only one hour from the Costa Rican border.

Qualifications: As a volunteer in Panama you must:
- be 18 years or older
- be physically fit
- a basic level of Spanish required for certain projects

* For the literacy program
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.

Cost in US$: see website

The fee covers your breakfast, accommodation, orientation session, airport pick-up from David, Spanish Crash Course and on-going support from our partner organization. Included in this are opportunities to attend weekly Salsa lessons, Wifi access, regular volunteer social gatherings and a certificate of completion from our partner organization. Your program fee also includes a donation used to support the organization you are working with in Panama.

The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, tourist visa, vaccinations, travel insurance, and departure tax. You will also need to consider other expenses including food (between USD 7-12 per day), transportation, bottled water, personal costs, beverages, and entertainment.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Panama Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Global Volunteer Network's Mission Statement: The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a private, Non Government Organization (NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our incorporation number is WN/1194442. Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.

Year Founded: 2000