1. Centre for Indigenous Children 2. Secondary Schools 3. Recycle Centre 4. Civil Protection Program
Volunteer work
If you like to practice Spanish while being involved in a work situation and you don’t expect to be paid, you can sign up for volunteer work at our Center.
Idealistic - Work Experience - Internship
You can either do volunteer work because you like to offer your services to an organization with the aim to help them (idealistic), or because of the sheer fact that you are interested in observing and learning how things are done differently in a culture other than your own (work experience). Furthermore a reason to sign up for volunteer work can be because your studies require you gain work experience (internship) as part of your studies.
1. CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN (Casa Esperanza)
This is a non-governmental organization and was founded in 1992 with the objective to help indigenous children in and around Boquete by giving them the opportunity to go to school and by providing nutrition and if necessary health care.
The centre picks up the children at their houses and brings them to school. After the classes they are brought to the centre where, after a warm lunch, the kids participate with the daily activities. Each age group has four activities every afternoon (a workshop, games, homework-room, and computer-room). They rotate so every group has time for each activity.
This project is a great initiative and a lot of indigenous kids benefit from the project. It is a centre where you’ll find warm children, very motivated people, and a great atmosphere.
Tasks
Help in the morning with the small children who do not go to school yet (3-4 years old). In de afternoon you can help the teachers with the different activities for all children at the centre, help with English classes, the workshops, etc.
When
Year round. Minimum dedication time: 1 week.
Requirements
No previous experience is required. It is easier if you speak basic Spanish. Please dress properly (no slippers, shorts pants or skirts and no tank tops please).
2. SECONDARY SCHOOLS
In the area of Boquete there are various secondary schools where you can do volunteer work. The teachers always have a big group of students and can use two extra hands. The biggest secondary school can be found in the center of town where there is also a group of about thirty handicapped children of which de half is taught in a separate class and the other half is integrated in the regular classes. However, the latter group of kids also needs some personal attention for which the teachers do not have time.
Tasks
There are numerous things you can do to help the teachers, help with the English classes, or help the young children paint, give a hand in the cantina, help with making games and class materials, etc. In the biggest school you can also give the handicapped kids special attention.
When
Year round, closed for holiday from half December through half March. Most schools give classes at 7:00 – 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Only the biggest school has also classes in the afternoon. Minimum dedication time: 1 week.
Requirements
No previous experience is required. To get the most out of the volunteer work you should take initiative and be creative. It is easier if you speak basic Spanish. Please dress properly (no slippers, shorts pants or skirts and no tank tops please).
3. RECYCLE CENTRE (Real)
Almost five years ago the initiative was taken to start a recycle project and in September 2005 they opened a Recycle Centre in the centre of Boquete. Here people can drop off recycle materials like plastic, paper, bottles and cans.
Besides that various activities are organised to collect recyclables and to inform the local population about the use of recycling.
Tasks
As a volunteer you can help at the Recycle Centre where they drop off the recyclables, help with activities in different schools, chaperone during fieldtrips, process the recycle materials together with local school kids at the recycle centre, etc.
When
Year round. During the school holiday (half December-half March) there are fewer activities. Minimum dedication time: n.a.
Requirements
No previous experience is required. It is easier if you speak basic Spanish. Please dress properly (no slippers, shorts pants or skirts and no tank tops please).
4. CIVIL PROTECTION PROGRAM
This is a national program founded twelve years ago and has offices in different provinces of Panama. They work in different areas: humanitarian aid, emergencies, infrastructure, and health. They work all-year round on different projects like earthquake drills on schools, river clean-up, informing local population what to do in case of a disaster, assist with public works, assist with local events, etc.
Tasks
In the morning you will be able to join the staff of the Civil Protection Programme on their current projects in the region. You will be mainly working in the field. In the afternoon you can help out with translating brochures for the foreigners that live in Boquete, give English classes, and help with the administration.
When
Year round. Minimum dedication time: 1 week
Requirements
No previous experience is required. It is easier if you speak basic Spanish. Please dress properly (no slippers, shorts pants or skirts and no tank tops please).
VOLUNTEER CENTER