Volunteering Projects in Panama

Childrens' 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. As some of these projects are not full-time, volunteers must be able to join 2 to 3 projects to build a full-time schedule. This program is suitable for a positive, caring, motivated, and self-directed people who have a love for children, with previous childcare experience.

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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. Volunteers have the opportunity to teach English and Literacy skills. Teaching and reading is done one-on-one or in small groups. This program is suitable for  organized, patient, and self-motivated people. 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.

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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 in a variety of prjects; with the disabled, nutrition projects, animal wildlife, and community recycling. Most projects are not full-time, so volunteers can expect to be placed in a combination of projects. Placements will be allocated with volunteers interests in mind, but please note that you will need to be flexible.

Disabled Centre for Children and Adults: Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a center for the disabled giving physical or speech therapy to both children and adults. This can include playing games, pushing someone in a wheelchair, reading a book, helping with handicrafts, or just being available to lend a helping hand where needed.

Animal Refuge Project: Volunteers will work with an animal refuge and educational centre that saves and provides a home for unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals, and also provides a long-term home for macaw parrots. Volunteers are needed to assist in caring for the animals, maintaining the center, increasing awareness, and providing valuable information to guests of the center.

Nutrition Project: The Boquete area has a large, generally poor, indigenous population in which malnutrition is a problem. Our partner works with local groups in an effort to reduce end this problem. Currently, school children and members of the community in dire need are recipients of food parcels; the attendance rate has increased by 30% since the project began. Volunteers will be involved in food collection and sorting, visiting families with food parcels, and spending time and getting to know recipients.

Recycle it: Volunteers have the opportunity to work in one of two community projects. The first project runs school based programs in conjunction with collecting recyclable products. Volunteers will promote art by using recycled items to educate school children about the value of recycling and their responsibility to the environment. The second project provides a service to the community by redistributing surplus goods to those who need them. They work with any serviceable commodity including, but not limited to, clothing, appliances, books, shoes, furniture, houseware, etc. Volunteers are needed to assist with the collecting, sorting, and distribution of materials.

The GEM Project: The GEM Project is a jewelry-making empowerment program that inspires positive thinking, global giving, and creative power for positive individual and social change. The GEM Project is currently working with mothers with children with disabilities, and young pregnant teens who are struggling to care for themselves and their babies. They are currently seeking volunteers that are skilled jewellery designers, mentors, and motivational leaders. Both English and Spanish speakers are welcome. Male volunteers may be limited in participating with certain activities and events.

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The Application Process

Your application process is free and seamless, and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organisations that allow you to transfer your application fee to another program at no extra cost.

Communication & Support:
Throughout the process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

Volunteer Feedback

Everything is great!  This past week I have been volunteering at a school in town and I helped Kaytee with the community project.  I have also taken Spanish lessons and explored Boquete!  I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience with GVN, the volunteer coordinators here, the volunteer projects, Boquete, etc, etc. 

Next week I will be doing a homestay with a local family and working in a different school, teaching computer classes to students there.  I am also hoping to do some hiking and more exploring of Boquete and the surrounding area! 

- Sara

Everything is fine here. I am teaching in two schools how to use a computer. In these schools there are some computers but nobody knows how to use it. That's why, it is very important to show them how it works. I like this kind of work and the kids (and teachers) they like it as well.

- Stefan

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