Volunteer in Panama

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! The Panama projects are based in the small amd charming flower covered mountain village of Boquete. It is a picturesque tropical rainforest tucked away on the eastern slopes of Volcan Baru. Boquete is quickly becoming a destination for those visitors seeking the most enchanting weather in the world and is an outdoor adventure paradise. Visitors may bask in Boquete's sun and marvel at the exquisite, breathtaking views. Boquete's healthy climate has prompted many to believe it is the secret to longevity since many native Boquetenos have lived well on past their one hundredth birthdays.

The Program

Volunteers may choose to work in the following areas:

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 role is suitable for a positive, caring, motivated, and self-directed person who has a love for children and has childcare experience.

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. This role is suitable for an organized, patient, and self-motivated individual. 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.

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. All projects are full-time, however there is flexibility to work in two projects.

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 started. 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. The GEM Project is currently seeking volunteers that are skilled jewellery designers, GEM Mentors, and GEM Motivational Leaders. Both English and Spanish speakers are welcome. Male volunteers may be limited in participating with certain activities and events.

Program Location

Our Panama program is located in the valley of Boquete which is situated in the western highlands of Panama at 1,200 metres above the sea level. Nestled amongst the country's most mountainous region, this peaceful town is situated between the Caldera River and Baru Volcano. Surrounded by untouched tropical cloud forests, Boquete is just one hour away from unspoiled white sand beaches in the Pacific and three hours from Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean, offering volunteers plenty of opportunities to hit the beach during the weekend to enjoy the warmth of the sun and experience some of the most amazing scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing that they could imagine. Boquete is a very safe place and has a large expatriate community of North Americans and Europeans.

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.

Program Schedule

Volunteer placements and orientations take place of the first and third Monday of every month year round. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive on the Friday before their placement to have the weekend to explore the area and gain comfort with the cultural. You may stay for one week to twelve weeks. Your stay can be extended beyond twelve weeks on a case-by-case basis (depending upon visa and our partner's requirements). Special arrangements can be made for volunteers to start on any day throughout the month. School are closed during the summer months: January to March each year. School programs will be closed.

Spanish Lessons

All volunteers will have the option of adding Spanish classes to enhance their volunteer experience for an additional fee with our partner school.

Program Requirements

As a volunteer in Panama you must:

• be 18 years or older
• be physically fit
• a basic level of Spanish required for certain projects

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your Panama Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the Panama program is:

• Cost for 1 weeks - US $460
• Cost for 2 weeks - US $693
• Cost for 3 weeks - US $856
• Cost for 4 weeks - US $969
• Cost for 5 weeks - US $1082
• Cost for 6 weeks - US $1195
• Cost for 7 weeks - US $1308
• Cost for 8 weeks - US $1421
• Cost for 9 weeks - US $1534
• Cost for 10 weeks - US $1647
• Cost for 11 weeks - US $1760
• Cost for 12 weeks - US $1873

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 $7-12 per day), transportation, bottled water, personal costs, beverages, and entertainment.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• International Travel Advice
• Letter Of Completion

Apply for the Panama Program

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 organizations that offer a full money back guarantee on your application fee if you decide not to go.
Click here to apply for the Panama program.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently volunteering, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will fully refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, we will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application 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.

To apply for this program, click here