Description

A range of opportunities in orphanages, schools, and community outreach projects such as jewellery making, recycling, animal refuge and a disabled centre, based in the small mountain village of Boquete.

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.

To apply for this program please visit our website.

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.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

see website

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Your application fee (USD350) provides the following benefits, personal staff support (incl. 24hr/7 day in-country support during your placement); access to any GVN volunteer programs over the next 5 years without having to pay another application fee; your detailed online Program Guide; your program fee locked in for a 5 year period; your Fundraising Guide (incl software); and your own personal online journal.

Your application fee will secure your place on the program, with your program/in-country fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement.

The in-country 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

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-3 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Global Volunteer Network's Mission Statement

The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a New Zealand Charitable Trust (non-profit NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our Charitable incorporation number is: CC46460. 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