UMMF offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities in Panama. Volunteers can work with a range of organizations including: orphanages, schools, wildlife & environmental organizations, working with the elderly or handicapped, literacy projects, jewelry making & much more! The Panama projects are based in the small & 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 bask in Boquete's sun and marvel at the exquisite 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. Boquete offers a complete travel experience with activities such as: zip-lining through the jungle, hot springs, horseback riding, mountain biking, amazing hiking, bird watching, white water rafting, fishing, rock climbing, repelling, surfing and much more!
Volunteers may choose to work in the following areas:
Children's ProgramsThe Children's Program works with amazing groups of children that will inspire you with the strength they have gained from overcoming and managing their own personal struggles in life. Whether they have been abandoned, abused or poverty stricken, these children seek the love and attention they deserve, just like the inner child within each one of us and are more than worthy of the same kind of love a family can offer. We desire to give that to them through the variety of collaborating organizations offering programs & services throughout Panama. The Children’s Program gives you the opportunity to volunteer your time with children in need and aid in developing & inspiring their minds & hearts. These children seek love, attention, knowledge & education to empower them to have successful futures, free from poverty & filled with opportunities. This program works to create growth and development opportunities for children and teenagers in extreme poverty conditions with a focus on indigenous children and children living in orphanages. Volunteer opportunities include: working in orphanages assisting with daily activities & childcare duties, performing psychological profiling of new arrivals and other social service duties; working with teenage mothers & 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 are able to join 2 to 3 projects to build a full-time Schedule is they so desire. These volunteer positions are suitable for positive individuals that are caring, motivated, self-directed and, of course, that have a genuine love for children.
Teaching English & Literacy Programs:
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 & desires. Volunteers have the opportunity to work as English teachers or with youth on literacy in both English & Spanish. Teaching/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.
Women’s Empowerment:
The GEM Project is a jewelry-making empowerment program that inspires positive thinking, global giving & creative power for positive individual & 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 skilled jewelry designers, GEM Mentors, GEM Motivational Leaders and much more! Both English & Spanish speakers are welcome. Both men and women are invited to join The GEM Project team, but men will be more limited in participating with certain activities and events.
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. As some of the projects are not full-time, volunteers are able take part in a flexible schedule, which includes some or all activities offered by the program.
Disabled center 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 & Wildlife Project:
Come and work with an animal refuge & educational center that saves unwanted, abused and abandoned animals as well as provides a home for long-term Macaw parrots. The center provides a home for the disenfranchised & unwanted to be loved and well cared for. 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, since the attendance rate has increased by 30% since the project started. This project is involved with food collection and sorting, visiting families with food parcels and spending time and getting to know recipients.
Recycle it:
The Recycle it program also works to educate school children about the value of recycling and to be responsible for the environment and provide services to the community by getting things from people who have them but don't want/need them and giving them to people who want/need them but don't have them. They work with any serviceable commodity, including but not limited to, clothing, appliances, books, shoes, furniture, house ware, etc. Volunteers are needed to assist with the school-based program and also with the collecting, sorting and distribution of materials.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Volunteer placements and orientations take place of the 1st & 3rd Monday of every month year round and special arrangements can be made for volunteers to start on any day throughout the month. 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 participate for one day to twelve weeks. Your stay can be extended beyond twelve weeks on a case-by-case basis (depending upon visa requirements).
PROGRAM COST
While some projects are free to participate in, in order to increase funding for the local organizations and community projects, UMMF charges a volunteer application fee and requests that volunteers make a donation to the organization they are working with to support them in fulfilling their missions. Join us today to make a difference for the amazing people of Panama!
For more information or to sign up today, contact the Volunteer Program Director, Kaytee Hoverson at kaytee@unexpectedmomentsofmagic.org