Language school Boquete, Habla Ya

The programme
The voluntary work programmes in Boquete are in two stages: a language course and an active involvement in the field. The language courses at the Habla Ya de Boquete school will enable you to reach the required level (B1) to communicate effectively with the local representatives. Some programmes such as Loco Por Leer  or working in an orphanage require a higher level of Spanish (minimum B2). You will then be able to start working in one of the voluntary work projects available.
You are required to take a six-week language course at least prior to starting the voluntary work programme.
 
Programmes focusing on social issues and children:
1. Voluntary work in an orphanage twice a week: playing games with the children, organising various activities. Experience in working with young children is beneficial. Hours vary and are confirmed on site.
2. Amigos de Boquete, an active foundation distributing meals in schools to increase poor children’s school attendance rates. Experience in working with children is beneficial. Flexible hours, to be set on-site.
3. Programa de Música, a programme teaching music. Volunteers teach underprivileged children music by teaching them to play various instruments. This programme is aimed at musicians or music teachers.
Flexible hours, to be set on-site.
4. Casa Esperanza, This NGO combats child labour and offers fun, sports and cultural activities. It is a real help to very poor families and contributes to providing children with medical care, nutrition programmes and educational support. Experience in working with children is beneficial.
Full time, from Monday to Friday. Specific activities on Saturdays.

5. Proyecto de Deportes, a sports programme for children aiming to promote sports and team spirit as well as social skills. Volunteers visit state schools, day centres and orphanages and organise football, baseball and basketball matches as well as gym sessions and other sports activities.

This is a part-time activity which may be combined with other voluntary work programmes. An aptitude for sports, organisational skills and experience in working with children are preferred.
Flexible hours, to be set on-site.
6. ¡Había una vez!, reading and book lending programme.
Organising reading groups. Experience in working with children is beneficial, a good level of Spanish is a must (minimum B2). 
Saturday mornings only.
 
 
Programmes with an environmental and community focus:
Real Boquete Recycling Center is an NGO active in recycling materials, which recruits volunteers to provide information about the centre’s activities through conferences, teacher training, organising sales of recycled materials, supervising recycling programmes, etc.
Flexible hours, including weekends.
 
For all programmes:
- Placement fee: 50 USD (transfers, introduction session, etc.)
- Daily fees: 10 USD per day (75% are paid back to the NGO or the foundation concerned),  constituting a small financial contribution to the various organisations as well as participation towards the cost incurred by the Habla Ya School’s administration department.  
Also included in the daily fees are weekly activities such as salsa lessons, meetings between the participants, free Internet access and an end-of-stay certificate confirming the participant’s involvement in the voluntary work project.
 
Programme requirements:
- Minimum age: 18
- Level of Spanish: minimum B1, B2 or more for some programmes
- Previous experience beneficial or necessary depending on the programme
- Flexibility and positive attitude required