In this interview, we hear from Dena Muething. Dena is working as a Peace Corps Environment volunteer in Panama. What Dena shares gives us a better understanding of the work volunteers do. We learn about the challenges, rewards, and personal growth that happens from volunteering in a new place. Dena talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Dena’s journey and see how volunteering with Peace Corps can change lives.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises and Challenges
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you tell us more about serving as an Environment volunteer in Panama?
I serve in the Environment sector through the Community Environmental Conservation (CEC) program. One phrase that really stuck with me from training is, “We’re planting seeds for trees whose shade we’ll never sit under.” In the environmental sector, that rings true both literally and metaphorically. There’s no “typical” day for a CEC volunteer—every day is different.
In general, CEC can work at the school, doing things in and outside the classroom, promoting conservation. Outside of the school, CEC volunteers work within the community doing different environment-focused projects depending on needs and resources within their given community. CEC-ers sometimes collaborate with the Ministry of the Environment, nearby non-profits, or other organizations for projects.
In my site, I started an eco-group where we’ve planted trees, organized trash clean-ups, painted signs to encourage people not to litter, and are currently fundraising within the community to support future projects. At the school, I help with their garden weekly and assist teachers with environmental education activities.
There’s no “typical” day for a CEC volunteer—every day is different. Some days, I don’t do much and have lots of free time. I’ve come to appreciate the slower pace and quiet moments that are part of this experience. When I have downtime, I like to spend it journaling, reading, crocheting, or watercolor painting at home. I also like to “pasear” or go house to house chitchatting on people’s patios, often ending with them gifting me fruits and veggies.
Recently, I got a PCPP (Peace Corps Partnerships Program) grant to construct 20 eco-stoves within the community, so that has been my main focus over the past month. Eco Stoves are made of clay bricks, which better retain heat, burning less wood, and the design releases less smoke than commonly used outdoor 3-stone stoves here. Eco-stoves reduce deforestation and the risk of respiratory issues caused by excess inhalation of smoke.
I was fortunate to get some help from the Ministry of the Environment, which donated some materials to help make these stoves. Applying for this grant and dealing with all the logistics has been a struggle, but I’m starting to see all that hard work pay off! I feel incredibly inspired and impressed with my community since starting this project through their teamwork, ambition, and constant support!
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose Panama?
I wasn’t ready to dive into grad school or start a full-time job, and the Peace Corps had always been in the back of my mind. I wanted something where I could make an impact and gain practical, place-based experience.
During my study abroad program in Nepal, we visited a former Peace Corps site and the Peace Corps office in Kathmandu. My professor had served in Nepal, and we spoke with the Country Director there. I think the idea of the Peace Corps felt more realistic after that. A few months later, my great-aunt told me she and her husband had served in one of the first Peace Corps groups in Venezuela, and she inspired me to apply!
I took a gap year between high school and college and lived in Ecuador, co-teaching English at a local high school. I was immersed in a Spanish-speaking rural community, and learned to integrate and adapt. I felt a lot of the skills I learned in Ecuador would aid me in the Peace Corps. I chose Panama because I was drawn to the CEC program, and I wanted to serve in Latin America to improve my Spanish even more. I had never been to Panama before, and felt excited to go and learn about the country/culture!
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation
My site is pretty rural, with a population of probably less than 500 people. I’ve gotten to know most of the people that live here, and those I don’t know, all know who I am. I’ve learned to embrace living in this small, quiet town and have been trying to be intentional lately about being more present.
The majority of residents work in agriculture and maintain their plots of land. Some common crops grown here are rice, coffee, corn, green beans, eggplants, lemons, papaya, cassava, different varieties of tomatoes, bananas, plantains, cucumber, and cacao. Many farmers choose to sell produce to larger cities for economic gain. I’m often gifted with fruits or vegetables grown within my community, which I’ll use to cook my meals.
I lived with a host family for my first 3 months and then moved to a house that I rent. My host family was very sweet and welcoming, and introduced me to a lot of people during those first months.
I am very fortunate with my housing situation. When I arrived, my current house didn’t even exist yet—it was an unfinished structure that was possibly going to be a restaurant. When I reached out to the landlord to inquire, he was able to finish construction and meet Peace Corps security requirements within a few months for me to move in.
I live in a cement house with a tin roof. I’ve got 1 bedroom, a bathroom in my room, a living room, and a small kitchen. I am very grateful that my host family and neighbors gave me or built for me a lot of my furniture and things for my house. I have lots of space behind my house for a garden (in the process currently).
I am centrally located; near the school, the catholic church, the health center, and the bus passes right in front of my house, which is convenient. I’m lucky to have running water, electricity, and good service at my house, a luxury not all Peace Corps Panama volunteers get to have. Every week or so, electricity will go out due to repairs or maintenance, but it’s pretty reliable most days.
I try to go on runs or walks in the morning around 6-7 am before it’s too hot outside. There’s a gym about 15 minutes away in the next town over, where I go about twice a week.
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had?
My whole community has been so kind and welcoming since my arrival. A specific, memorable experience I had was Christmas last year. Someone in my community invited me to go with her family to a Christmas parade in a nearby town. It ended up pouring down rain the whole parade, we bought umbrellas, and stayed to watch the whole parade, then got hot chocolate, and food after. I felt so grateful to be welcomed into their family during the holidays.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about challenges in Panama?
I didn’t know what to expect from Panamanian food, but learning to adjust to it was a struggle for me at first, but since living on my own, it isn’t as much of an issue. Panamanian food is a lot of fried foods, large quantities of rice, and overly sugary fruit juices. I felt like I gained a lot of weight and wasn’t getting enough vegetables in my first few months, but after moving on my own and being able to cook for myself, this isn’t an issue for me anymore. When I visit neighbors’ houses, I’m often given food, and I’ve learned to ask for less rice or water instead of juice now.
6. What challenges did you face while working on Environment projects?
Being the first to volunteer in my site, I have had to explain my role and what the Peace Corps is several times. Many people did not think I was capable of doing work on farms because I’m female, and it’s taken some time to break that mindset.
Finding motivation and trust within the community was difficult at first, too. I struggled to get attendance at community meetings, and when there was attendance, active participation felt low. I think over time, as people have gotten to know me and my role here, it has gotten easier. I’ve also identified key leaders in the community who are able to/want to help out on projects.
I’m also a person who’s used to having set goals and some type of structure in my job. That all went away since I got to site. The environment sector is very much what you make of it, and there is a lot of space to do different types of projects.
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
Last summer break, which in Panama was December-March, I led and taught an English course. Since my arrival in site, many people requested English help, and many people thought my sole reason for being in Panama was to teach English. While I have some experience teaching English, I did not want to make my whole service centered around this.
I planned a curriculum of 3 classes (ages 7-13, 14-18, and over 18), made lesson plans, and taught twice a week, one hour for each group. At the end, we had a graduation ceremony and I gave out certificates to each of my students for having completed the course. I feel extremely proud of my students, their desire to learn and practice English, and many want me to do this again next summer break!
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as an Environment volunteer in Panama?
Keep an open mind and have patience! Every CEC site is completely different and unique. If you constantly compare yourself to other CEC volunteers, you will always be disappointed.
Look at blogs, vlogs, and the Peace Corps website to get a general idea of what service looks like in the Environment sector in Panama, and reach out to people if you have questions about service!
9. How has the Peace Corps training helped you during your service?
Make connections!! PST can be overwhelming, but after it’s over, you’re the only PCV in your site. Get to know your fellow volunteers in your cohort. They’ll understand your struggles at site and will be your support throughout service. I’m very grateful for the volunteers in my cohort, and it’s a lot easier explaining things in site to them than to friends/family back in the U.S.
If you’re worried about language, PST will be a lot of language learning and support, as well as the space to ask questions. I recommend future trainees really take advantage of that, and when you’re at site, you can still message your LCF with language concerns.
IST and MST, you’ll have a better idea of the realities of your site and what can be achieved throughout your service. I recommend taking notes and asking questions relating to projects in your site!
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future Panama volunteers?
I was stressed. I didn’t have enough business casual clothes, because that was stressed in the packing list I received. I rarely wear any of the business casual clothes I brought. Don’t buy new clothes or gear for Peace Corps Panama, except maybe underwear. What you have now and are comfortable with is good and could get destroyed here, so it’s not worth buying nice new clothes. A lot of my clothes have gotten holes or stained and probably won’t be coming back home with me.
Panama has lots of cheap, good thrift stores in cities here, so what you forget or don’t have can easily be bought in the country.
I also packed a lot of camping/backpacking gear that I haven’t touched and probably should’ve left at home.
11. How has learning the language been?
I have some prior Spanish experience, which helped. I lived in Ecuador for about a year prior to college, and I took Spanish classes in college as well. Even with this, I had to adjust to Panama-specific phrases and accents, which took some time getting used to.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
12. How do you think your a blog or YouTube channel contributes to the mission as a Peace Corps volunteer?
Having a blog, peace corps-centered Instagram, or YouTube is a great way to share your service and also share your experience with friends/family back home who are curious about what you’re up to, and it’s a great way to teach about/share Panamanian culture! Be authentically you and share what service looks and feels like!
13. Any last comments you’d like to pass on to future Panama volunteers?
Take the leap! If you get placed in Peace Corps Panama it will be an incredible experience and you’ll meet some amazing people 🙂
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Dena’s, apply to the Peace Corps today. Expand your horizons, push your limits, and create positive impact as a volunteer. You never know how serving as a Peace Corps volunteer could change your life.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Panama Government.
