Volunteering with Give and Surf in Bocas del Toro, Panama was a life-changing experience. I do a lot of traveling but had not volunteered abroad before and felt that I should give back to the global community. I think I got back just as much as I put in! It’s hard to pick just one favorite memory, but I really enjoyed picking the preschoolers up before school on the lancha (school boat) They waddle out on their family’s homemade docks and don’t even need help getting into the boats. They are so eager to learn and are full of personality. They warmed up to me right away and would want to sit on my lap or have me read to them or show me what they drew. I even got a new nickname “Mediodia” as one of the kids misread my nametag introducing myself as Melodia, which stuck throughout my time there. I will now be taking my 15-year-old brother to volunteer with me this coming holiday season because I want to share this experience with him and open up the world to him.
Mike with the kids on the lancha
This little boy is English and American and is fortunate enough to live in Bocas!
The kids getting back on the lancha after school
Arriving at one of the children’s homes
Andrea and I
Have Life, Will Travel! 
Volunteering can be such a great experience, I recommend everyone to try it. Lucky brother to have you get him started with it! 🙂
I agree Rosanna! I think it’s important to give back even while you travel! It gave me a much more enriching experience (I belive) than if I were “just” traveling. Thanks for the comment 🙂
This looks like such an amazing and rewarding experience. And I had to laugh at “Mediodias!”
A new nickname I will never forget! It was both rewarding and amazing and I can’t wait to go back to share it with my brother!