Volunteer at an Organic Farm in Darien, Panama
Working in the community of Santa Fe in the Darien can be your experience of a lifetime. Volunteer work side-by-side with the local community in the Darien and experience a diverse culture in the last frontier of Panama. This inspiring experience will help you in your future career and goals. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself. Note: During this trip we will be on “jungle time.” If you are in a hurry to tour the Darien, this is not for you. Weather or other circumstances may delay us or cause us to detour something on the itinerary. Expect primitive conditions throughout the itinerary.

The projects vary by season, and depending upon the local need. Our staff will assist with a variety of conservation and construction-related projects in the community. There are different projects: an organic farm and a Santa Fe Artisan Cooperative which is a non-profit crafts cooperative dedicated to enhance the economic and emotional well-being of local women.  Volunteers will assist community members in the marketing of their products such as organic soap and organic tea. Also in several mountain villages, volunteers will help renovate schools and clinics, assist local co-ops or help with the coffee harvest.

You can also work with local people making walking paths, building rain shelters, constructing bridges and planting trees while in a beautiful nature surrounding.  In nearby rural mountain villages, volunteers will assist with numerous community infrastructure projects identified by each community.

Highlights: In the Community of Santa Fe in Darien, six hours by car from Panama  City, you will be working an a new organic farm that is trying to promote and market their products in Panama City and other major cities in the country. The Community Center in Santa Fe del Darien that owns 6 hectares of farmland and 40 hectares of protected land.
The community is very conservative, traditional and in the small town of Santa Fe respect and reputations are of high importance. We will strive to integrate with the community, maintaining the local culture and avoiding foreign influence; volunteers in this program should take a serious approach to volunteering and blending in with the local community.
Day 1 – Panama City, Panama
Arrive in Panama City. A representative will meet you at the airport and transfer to a hotel in Panama City.  Hotel Albrook Inn or similar.

Day 2 – Transfer to Santa Fe, Darien
After breakfast you will be transferred to Santa Fe, Darien. We travel along the Pan-American Highway toward the border of Colombia. After several police checkpoints, we’ll travel through a Kuna Indian reserve (Comarca) and stop at a small Kuna market. Once in the Darien Province the paved road ends and we begin travelling on rough terrain. We will lunch at local restaurant with simple food based on rice, beans and meat (usually chicken, pork or beef).   After lunch we continue to Santa Fe, your home for the coming days. Dinner in the community. (B, L, D)

Day 3, 4, 5 and 6-  Service Experience, Santa Fe
The following days you will assist with a variety of conservation and construction-related projects in the community. There are different projects for an organic farm and a Santa Fe Artisan Cooperative, a non-profit crafts cooperative dedicated to enhance the economic and emotional well-being of local women.  Volunteers will assist community members in the marketing of their products such as organic soap and organic tea. Also in several mountain villages, volunteers will help renovate schools and clinics, assist local co-ops or help with the coffee harvest.
You can also work with local people making walking paths, building rain shelters, constructing bridges and planting trees while you learn and observe the beautiful nature surrounding you. In nearby rural mountain villages, volunteers will assist with numerous community infrastructure projects identified by each community.

Day 7 – Return to Panama City
Today, you’ll prepare your backpack to return to Panama City. Free afternoon to relax and explore Panama City’s downtown. Optional farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 8- Departure
After breakfast, transfer to international airport for your flight out.