Work and Travel in Panama

Zuletzt online: 03.02.2012

Beschreibung

We are is a non-profitable organization dedicated to the conservation of native species of orchids in a charming little town of Panama, El Valle de Antón. It was established on 15 May 2001 with the view to protecting endangered endemic species of orchids and thus contributing to the conservation of the amazing biodiversity of the region and the Republic of Panama.

Please contact us for further information.

Region

El Valle de Anton, Cocle Province, Panama

Arten von Arbeit

Help with Computers / internet,
Helping with Tourists,
Help with Eco project,
Farming,
Gardening

Arbeit

We offer you a wide range of activities you can freely choose from, such as:

Updating, improving and promoting our website;
Designing projects of orchid protection and ecoturism;
Raising our profile through various means;
Searching for fundraising opportunities;
Drafting proposals for fundraising;
Taking care of our orchids;
Taking photographs; and,
Working in our cafeteria

Note that the interns/volunteers are not paid, but can benefit from the following:

Homestay at a local Panamanian family at low cost or on-site accommodation for free of charge, both including lunch
a good opportunity to improve your Spanish in a Spanish speaking country (unless you are a native Spanish speaker);
the all-year Spring-like climate in El Valle;
the proximity of El Valle to both beaches and mountains;
invaluable experience of living abroad (provided you are non-Panamanian);
flexible working hours (about 30 hours per week); and,
free wireless internet access inside our center.

Requirements:

At least 18 years old
Good communication skills in English and/or Spanish (most preferably both)
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Keen interest in environmental protection and/or ecoturism
Commintment for at least one month (preferably longer)
A valid passport and/or visa to enter Panama
A participation fee of $100 regardless of the length of internship/volunteering (This fee will be used to support our activities.)
Preference is given to those who hold a university degree, especially one related to our activities.
Knowledge about HTML/CSS/JavaScript would be an asset.
Work experience in fundraising/program management/public relations would be an asset.
Technical knowledge about orchids/horticulture/landscaping would be greatly appreciated.

gesprochene Sprachen

Spanish, English, French, Japanese

Unterkunft

Homestay at a local Panamanian family at low cost or on-site accommodation for free of charge, both including lunch

Was noch ...

Our goal is to conserve native Panamanian species of orchids, many of which are believed to be on their way to extinction. Estimates vary, but it is generally considered that the Republic of Panama is home to no less than 1,500 species of orchids, making it one of the most orchid-rich countries in the world. However, destruction of rain forests, accelerated by the recent rapid economic growth of the country, is depriving those flowers of their habitat. Particularly in El Valle, poverty plaguing the local population has led some to illegally pick up endangered species in the woods and sell them on the market, posing them a real and imminent threat.

Concerned about such a situation, we created our foundation in 2001 in order to protect the flowers from extinction and seek for a more sustainable way of development. We therefore grow both the endangered endemic species and non-local horticultural ones in our nursery for different motives. We try to conserve the former by reproducing them, while selling the latter to visitors to raise funds for our eco-friendly activities and to make the very act of gathering wild orchids for profits redundant. Overall, we aim to conserve the local biodiversity and promote an environmentally conscious and sustainable form of tourism.