What inspired you to work for Give and Surf?
After living and working in Central America for many years, I wanted to work for an organization that was truly connected to the communities it served. I was drawn to Give & Surf because we work with different communities experiencing poverty and, importantly, our programs are right in their neighborhoods.
I like that our work is grassroots and that we are not removed from the people we serve. I get to spend time in the communities, meet students and families, and see firsthand what their everyday lives look like.
I also appreciate that each community is different, and that our programs have grown based on what we have learned from the people we work with. It makes the work feel very real and personal.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Be open to new experiences and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. One of the best parts of traveling is learning something new every day. You will meet people you never expected to meet, try things you never thought you would, and have experiences that stay with you long after you leave.
You will also have to say goodbye a lot, which can be harder than you expect. Going home can be difficult because it never feels quite the same after you have experienced another place and way of life.
Enjoy the unexpected, wear comfortable clothes, drink lots of water, and remember to slow down and enjoy where you are. Take lots of photos, but don’t spend the whole time looking through a camera or phone. The best memories are often the moments you didn’t plan for.
Give and Surf staff
Describe a typical day at work.
Every day is different! I might be meeting with interns, working on social media or newsletters, spending time in our programs with students, helping with English classes in our vocational training, writing a grant, or finding new ways to connect with donors.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love being able to use my skills to support an organization and communities I care about.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is being in our programs and getting to know our students and teachers. I love capturing their stories, taking photos, and learning more about their way of life here in Bocas.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My law degree taught me how to research, write clearly, solve problems, and look at issues from different perspectives. My international background has also helped me understand and work with people from different cultures and communities. I use both every day in my work with Give & Surf.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
One of my biggest challenges is finding new donors and expanding our donor base. I’ve recently moved to Panama City to build new connections and reach people outside of Bocas del Toro.
Afterschool student in Bastimentos
Why should someone choose Give and Surf over competitors?
Give & Surf is unique because volunteers get to work with several different communities across the islands, rather than staying in just one place. Each community is different, so there is always something new to experience and learn.
Volunteers get to spend time in local neighborhoods, work directly with students and teachers, and see different sides of life in Bocas del Toro. I think that makes the experience much more meaningful than simply coming somewhere as a visitor.
You also get to experience the natural beauty of Bocas, from the beaches and ocean to the rainforest and wildlife. It is a place where you can have a real cultural experience while also having plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to empower Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean communities in Bocas del Toro through free educational programs.
Since 2011, we have grown into a year-round program serving communities across the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Today, our programs support people at different stages of life, from preschool and after-school programs teaching STEM and English, to young adults learning about vocational training and entrepreneurship and having university scholarships.
We continue to work toward our mission by listening to the needs of the communities we serve and developing programs that respond to those needs.
Our goal is not simply to provide short-term assistance, but to help local children and families build the skills, education, and resources they need to create better opportunities for themselves and their communities.
What hopes do you have for the future of Give and Surf?
I would like to continue expanding our entrepreneurship classes for high school students and adults.
If a student has the tools to start a successful business, they can see the value of hard work, earn more than minimum wage, and create opportunities for themselves and others.
Investing in local entrepreneurs also strengthens Bocas’ tourism economy, from artisans to food businesses and beyond.
Mami cooking
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope volunteers leave our programs with a better understanding that there is no one right way to live or one path to success. Spending time in Bocas and working alongside local communities gives volunteers the opportunity to step outside of their everyday lives, experience a different culture, and see the world from a different perspective.
I hope they have fun, try new things, and are open to experiences that may be outside their comfort zone. I also hope they build genuine connections with the students, teachers, and community members they meet along the way.
Volunteering is not just about what you can give; it is also about what you learn from the people and communities you are working with.
Most importantly, I hope volunteers leave with new perspectives, meaningful memories, and a little more understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
There is no better way to open your mind and your eyes to the world than by traveling and experiencing a different culture.
When you step outside of what is familiar, you begin to see that there are many different ways of living, thinking, working, and experiencing life. Traveling gives you the opportunity to meet people whose experiences may be very different from your own and to learn from them firsthand.
It can challenge assumptions you may not even realize you have and help you become more comfortable with differences.
I also think there is something valuable about being a visitor in a place where you don't know everything or have all the answers. It encourages you to listen, ask questions, and be curious.
Experiencing another culture doesn't mean you have to change the way you live; it simply gives you a broader perspective and a better understanding of the world and the people who share it.
Local food
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is about being present and experiencing a place as it is, rather than trying to fit it into an itinerary or only seeing the things you already know you want to see.
It’s eating good food, talking to locals, seeing beautiful things, and being open to the unexpected. Some of my favorite travel experiences have been the ones I never planned for or expected.
I think meaningful travel is also about being curious and willing to learn from the people and places around you.
You don’t have to have a life-changing experience every day or come home with a completely different perspective. Sometimes it’s simply about slowing down, paying attention, and appreciating where you are.
Most importantly, meaningful travel means living in the moment, enjoying the experience, and allowing yourself to be genuinely present in a new place.
