Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Panama! If you’re considering volunteering in Panama, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Panama and explore Panama as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Panama. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Panama is right for you.
| Volunteers in Panama work on projects in Agriculture, & Environment , Health, and Youth in Development (leave in June). |
What is the History of Peace Corps Panama?
Peace Corps Panama has a rich history. They’ve been in Panama since 1963, which means they’ve been working together for over 50 years. Many volunteers have come to Panama during this time.
The Peace Corps in Panama has done different kinds of projects. They’ve helped with education, healthcare, farming, and making communities better. The volunteers have worked to improve schools, health services, and teach better ways to grow food. They’ve also tried to bring people from different cultures closer.
Peace Corps has been a good friend to Panama for a long time. Their work has made Panama a better place by helping people and communities.
What about Panama as a nation?
Panama is a country in Central America. It’s famous for the Panama Canal, a big waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Panama became its own country in 1903, with help from the United States for building the canal.
Panama is a place with a mix of cultures from indigenous people, Spanish settlers, and Afro-Caribbean influences. Trade, finance, and the Panama Canal, which is important for global shipping, are the focus of the economy.
Panama has been making progress recently with a stable government and better living conditions. But it still faces challenges like inequality and taking care of the environment.
What languages do they speak in Panama?
In Panama, the primary language spoken is Spanish. Spanish is the official language of the country. And is used in government, education, and daily life. But, due to its diverse population, you’ll also hear other languages in Panama.
Panama’s indigenous communities speak their own languages. Some of these languages include Ngäbere, Buglé, and Emberá, among others. And in some areas, you may hear Creole languages, such as Panamanian Creole or English Creole.
During their service in Panama, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Ngabere and Spanish.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Panama?
In general, 96% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Panama. And 98% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 8% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to medical reasons and resignation. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Panama Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in Panama are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Panama because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Panama are gastrointestinal illnesses, tuberculosis, dengue fever, typhoid, intestinal parasites, Hepatitis A and B, STIs, HIV/AIDS, skin infections, respiratory infections, rabies, and minor injuries. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. As malaria is endemic in Panama, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Panama can be found in the Panama Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Panama?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 92% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 91% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 90% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Panama Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Panama volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Panama. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Gianna (Education) – 2019-20
- Dani (YinD) – 2019-20
- Shellee – 2016-18
- Ashley (CEC) – 2017-19
- Sierra – 2016-19
- Amanda (CEC) – 2016-18
- Hannah (Environment) – 2018-20
- Gabby (Education) – 2016-18
- Paiva (Agriculture) – 2017-19
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Panama, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Panama with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Panama?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Panama?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Panama
- Projects in Panama
- Stories from Panama
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Panama“, published in 2016. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Panama. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Panama is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Panama, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Panama.
Map by TUBS and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
All other photos courtesy of US Peace Corps on Facebook and on the PC Media Center
