• Sustainable Cities And Communities

Help in Construction

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Paint walls, houses, halls and walls that can be didactic.
  • Install doors and windows.
  • Creation and adaptation of the different spaces for the workshops.
  • Decorate La Escuelita, local houses and public schools.
  • Help plant and grow plants at La Escuelita and in public schools.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups

About the program

Our main objective is to build La Escuelita, as well as improve the homes of families who need this support, so that they can finally have a safe place to call home.

Our main mission is the construction of La Escuelita, as well as the improvement of the homes of those families who need support to secure a safe home. In addition, we offer our support in the creation of spaces and maintenance in the public schools where we collaborate.

Your specific tasks will vary ...

About the program

Our main mission is the construction of La Escuelita, as well as the improvement of the homes of those families who need support to secure a safe home. In addition, we offer our support in the creation of spaces and maintenance in the public schools where we collaborate.

Your specific tasks will vary depending on the stage of construction we are in. This could involve tasks such as painting walls, houses, classrooms and walls that may have a didactic focus. We also install doors and windows, and adapt different spaces for use in workshops and educational activities.


Painting and Decoration
  • Help painting and decorating La Escuelita, local houses and public schools.
  Gardening
  • Help planting and growing plants at La Escuelita and public schools.
  Maintenance
  • Cleaning, repairs or construction.
Other
  • Adaptation of spaces 

We need your time, enthusiasm and help to build the house and spaces of La Escuelita, for the development of workshops for women with limited memories and school revision classes for children with educational difficulties.  We are in the initial stage of construction, we need to do the following tasks:

  • Masonry
  • Painting
  • Roof
  • Flooring

Reconstruction of various areas: 

  • Roof structures
  • Maintenance and/or site development.
  • Plastering of new structures.
  • Painting including murals and images
  • Garden adaptation
  • Construction of planting structures 


Depending on the time the volunteer is assigned to the activities. Volunteers start working from 8:00 am or in the afternoon, depending on the assignments to be carried out.

Typical day

Volunteers supporting the construction project start at 9:00 am until 12:00 noon and in the afternoon from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm.


The activities assigned will depend on the month and the needs we have at that time.

Typical day

Volunteers supporting the construction project start at 9:00 am until 12:00 noon and in the afternoon from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm.


The activities assigned will depend on the month and the needs we have at that time.

Free-time activities

San Blas Islands

Considered the most beautiful islands in all of Latin America.  Visitors choose them for their crystal clear waters and white sand.  These islands are 3 hours from Panama City.  

Bocas del Toro

It is very close to the Costa Rican border. On its beaches you can regularly go surfing, ...

Free-time activities

San Blas Islands

Considered the most beautiful islands in all of Latin America.  Visitors choose them for their crystal clear waters and white sand.  These islands are 3 hours from Panama City.  

Bocas del Toro

It is very close to the Costa Rican border. On its beaches you can regularly go surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, enjoy the sun and the nightlife among many other activities.  

Santa Catalina-Santiago Beach

It is a small coastal town, during the day you can go to the beach and go surfing.  You can also book an excursion to Coiba Island. 

Portobello and Mamey Island-Colón

This beautiful and historic place located in the Caribbean area can be visited in a weekend. 

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak Spanish (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Passport and Travel insurance with civil liability and accident

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Commitment Responsible Recursive Good attitude

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 15:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by La Escuelita

What is provided to the volunteer

  • Information and accompaniment before and during your incorporation.
  • Accommodation during the induction and your participation as a volunteer.
  • Breakfast in the mornings from Monday to Friday.
  • Lunches from Monday to Friday.
  • Dinners from Monday to Thursday.
  • Orientation to the project and the village (Sundays).
  • On-site coordinator.
  • Volunteer certificate.


Not provided 

  • Airfare, bus, taxi, other.
  • Vaccinations and visas if required.
  • Airport pick-up.
  • Internal transport, including to and from projects.
  • Excursions.
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on the weekend, including Friday dinner.
  • International medical insurance (Compulsory).
  • Cost of criminal and sexual police background check (required for this project).
  • Cost of transportation to and from the project site and accommodation (approximately $1.50 per day).

Accommodation

Distribution of the house

We have 3 rooms with fans, bunk beds with foam mattresses:

  • 8-bed room 
  • 6-bed room 
  • 4-bedded room 


We have two bathrooms: No hot water.

  • Kitchen for common use
  • Drinking water on tap
  • Lounge (rest area)
  • Laundry area: Use of washing machine and dryer at a low cost of 10$ (only on Mondays and Thursdays). In case you do not want this service you have a semi manual washing machine or space to wash by hand.


It is important to note that the rooms are shared and volunteers are assigned according to their arrival date, thus ensuring an equal and comfortable distribution for everyone. 


Please note that this is a simple house with the basic comforts of a Panamanian family.

Food & Beverages

  • Breakfast in the mornings from Monday to Friday.
  • Lunches from Monday to Friday.
  • Dinner from Monday to Thursday.

        • Drinks are not included, in Chame area where the project is located the water is drinkable.

      Internet Access

      Good access at the project site

      What's NOT included?

      What's NOT included?

      Airport Pickup at Tocumen International Airport

      An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

      Flight Tickets

      The nearest airport is Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City. We assist you to find cheap flights to Panama. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

      Travel Insurance

      Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Panama provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

      Vaccines

      If you are intending to volunteer in Panama you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Panama. VACCINE CHECKER

      Details on arrival

      Arrival and joining the project 

      • You must arrive on a SATURDAY (see list of arrival days).
      • Sunday is induction day.
      • The first day at school is MONDAY.

      Availability
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

      Program fees

      2 weeks (min. stay) 557€
      4 weeks 915€
      6 weeks 1,272€
      8 weeks 1,630€
      12 weeks (max. stay) 2,346€
      Average fees 237€/week

      Program fees

      237€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

      Payment methods

      Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

      NO CREDIT CARD FEES

      Duration

      2 - 12 weeks

      Deposit

      The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

      Final Payment

      Your final payment will be agreed with La Escuelita during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

      Meet your organization

      La Escuelita

      Excellent 4.8 rating (16 reviews)

      Non-profit - founded in 2015

      Verified by Volunteer World

        Good response rate

      Coordinated by

      Evelin

      Spoken languages: English, Spanish

      About the project

      We develop and support projects focused on teaching and conservation of sea turtles and animals.

      Meet your organization

      Who we are? and What we do?
      We are a socio-community project that seeks to contribute to the educational and social growth of several villages in Panama.
      In many parts of Panama, it is common to find children and young people who have educational difficulties due to the limited resources available to them. Based on this problem and the common passion for education of many of the people who fight for the improvement of education in our country, we decided to create a space where we can have an impact with school reinforcement to improve the quality of education for the population.
       
      The sustainability of the project depends on the participation of volunteers, which is why we have been creating learning spaces in the village of Chame and the schools, as well as going to the homes of the children we have on the list (in need of support). These spaces are available for people who have the desire and enthusiasm to accompany us in this experience from 2 weeks.

      Where we work?
      The teaching methodology of the Panamanian education system is often quite traditional. Many of the children have a high rate of absenteeism, failing to pass the exams to enter secondary school (one of the reasons why they drop out).

      Seeing the low indexes in the quality of education that Panama has, the neglect of natural areas and mistreated animals, as well as being the country where I was born and studied, I decided to collaborate and support volunteer projects or projects that were focused on providing educational tools according to the age of the children, to give them within our possibilities a future with better opportunities and adequate social and work possibilities.

      Despite this need, Panama is often a country: 
      • For sure
      • With a good economy (although it does not reach all its citizens).
      • Culture and traditions that are maintained in the different provinces. 
      • Places such as beaches, volcanoes, biodiversity of fauna and flora.
      • Experiences that you can only live in a country that is considered to be a "tri-race country" because of its cultural diversity.
      Because of the above mentioned, it is an ideal destination for a volunteer, both young and old, as you can walk around in peace and quiet and visit the unique places that Panama has and support education.

      Mission
      To promote the growth and development of the skills of children and young people with educational difficulties from vulnerable communities through teaching, educational and leisure games, in order to provide more targeted support to ensure personal and professional growth.

      Vision
      To create opportunities to achieve skills development for children and young people from vulnerable communities.

      Values
      • Strength: Strength, balance and prudence in working with the children and young people who attend our after-school space are the best guarantees of the work and growth we do, as well as creating long-term value for them.
      • Respect: We strive for self-respect, respect for the rights and dignity of all people and respect for children.
      • Honesty: It is necessary to create an honest environment within the school review space where we work with the children, as well as the people who work directly with them, the teachers.
      • Social Responsibility: We know that to involve the children and the community where they live in the activities we do, it is necessary and vital, the participation of families, teachers, coordinators and volunteers, seeking the intermediation between all social actors through the collaboration and work of volunteers in the projects and activities that we develop.
      Why volunteer in Panama and why volunteer with us?
      • Many of the children have a high rate of absenteeism, they do not manage to pass the exams to enter secondary school, (one of the reasons why they drop out of school). 
      • Not to mention the lack of environmental awareness in the communities that are located near protected areas where sea turtles and other species live and live there.  
      • Another much-needed project is the protection and care of wild animals in Central America, which due to deforestation, illegal trafficking, attempted domestication or mistreatment suffer a decline of the species year after year.
      • The escuelita has also been involved in preserving the customs and cultures of indigenous communities that have been largely rejected by society.
      Seeing the low rates in the quality of education that Panama has, the neglect of natural areas and mistreated animals, besides being the country where I was born and studied, I decided to collaborate and support volunteer projects or those that were focused on providing educational tools according to the age of the children, to give them within our possibilities a future with better opportunities and adequate social and work possibilities.

      Through projects such as Donate your voice, one child, one backpack, donations of school materials, food and transport, we have reached more than 3,000 children in the community where we work.

      We try to generate the greatest positive impact in the areas and places where we collaborate. 

      16 reviews · rating4.8

      Alfredo Caranna rating5

      2023 at Help in Construction

      Traveling, meeting new people and lending a helping hand to those in need is one of the most fulfilling experiences in life. Our volunteer experience at Escuelita, located in the heart of Chame, Panama, offered all of this and so much more. From the very beginning, we were welcomed like family and ...
      Alexandre Ichiro Ide Shimohira rating4.4

      2023 at Help in Construction

      La pasé muy bien, conocí mucha gente, aprendí un poco lo relacionado con mi carrera y pude ejercerla en este voluntariado. Encontré mucho más de lo que había pensando en un ...
      Lisa Rass rating4.2

      2023 at Help in Construction

      I only stayed one week in La Escuelita, but it felt like home. People there are very welcoming and appreciate your help and support. I loved to live not only with other volunteers but also with a local family (monther + her daughters), that gave me a special insight about the real panamenian ...
      Nora Zang rating5

      2024 at Supporter at a Workshop for Women

      My husband and me had a wonderful time as volunteers at La Escuelita! We came as volunteers and felt like family from the first moment. Evelin and her team are really doing their best to make everyone feel comfortable. Also all the children and women we met in the project were kind, funny, ...
      Melissa Levy rating5

      2023 at Local Sea Turtle Conservation

      We learned so much about the challenges facing sea turtles and the efforts of the local community to monitor and protect them. We participated in nightly patrols and various daytime projects to support the project. We had a fabulous sightseeing nature cruise to local islands to snorkel and see ...
      Google Translator: La escuelita school review. Through this project, I have been able to support children from the school in Chame. Most of them have difficulties with reading, writing and mathematics. The days I stayed there, I went to the village school and supported them in the classroom. I ...

      Location

      Americas > Central America > Panama > Chame

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      Volunteer Abroad  >  Community  >  Construction in Panama
      Contact Evelin
        Good response rate
      English, Spanish

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