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Give & Surf: A New Way of Thinking
By Dan ferraro | 20 September 2012 |
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Yeah, the waves are good. Last year I was in a rut. In my mid-twenties I was charging ahead with my career, led as most of us are by the quest for a big fat pay cheque, and a misplaced belief that this will bring happiness. That’s when I met Neil Christiansen, the founder of Give & Surf. He was in the beginning stages of setting up a volunteer project in Panama where people could come out surf, and then give back by helping in the local community. I’ve surfed in Indonesia, Bali, and El Salvador, following the waves, but Panama is the place that will always stick with me. The variety of the waves is where the beauty lies, but it’s also the addition of being able to come out of the ocean and make an impact on peoples lives that made this the trip an experience I hope to repeat year after year.
Kids will be kids. I went with my girlfriend in the winter of 2011, waking up each day to frying plantains, and choosing my own coconut for breakfast. We would pick the local kids up in the boat from their huts amongst the mangroves. None of them had shoes, and most had hardly any clothes to cover their backs, but do you know what? They were happy. It was a shock to the system. We spent the morning teaching English and Spanish before heading outside to coach them at soccer and baseball. In the afternoons we surfed, hiked in the jungle, relaxed on the beach and simply took in the beauty of this Caribbean heaven. This trip was the best of both worlds. I met people from all over the world including the Netherlands and Brazil, children who touched my heart, and waves that blew my mind. It was fun to give back, to be part of a bigger picture, learn a new culture and realize that it’s not all about the money, it’s about life and how you choose to life it.
Dan Ferraro – avid surfer, beginner volunteer Find out more about this project: HERE More about Give & Surf: Give and Surf is a volunteer organization empowering the community of Bahia Honda through community and educational development. They are dedicated to several educational, environmental, and community development projects to help the indigenous Ngobe people of Bahia Honda. The educational projects include enriching educational projects for the local school ages 6-12 (after-school program, summer camp), a year round pre-school for approximately 20 children ages 3-5, English classes for the adults and Bahia Honda baseball team. This is a unique volunteer experience that gives volunteers the opportunity to give to others and learn how to surf or enjoy various activities unique to Bocas. These activities include surf lessons, snorkeling, jungle/cave hikes and tours, exploring the beautiful beaches and islands, zip lining, kayaking, and more. Experience life on the water as all transportation to volunteer sites, surfing, beaches, and activities are done by boat in and around the islands. For the adventure seeker who wants to experience living in a remote jungle and beach location. Improve or begin your Spanish learning with the children and community members of Bahia Honda. About GoVoluntouring: www.govoluntouring.com GoVoluntouring, is a leading online community for volunteers, overseas teachers, and learners abroad. Its unique search filters allow users to perform detailed and customizable searches from a huge database of projects and programs in over 90 countries around the world. |
Although the website and the founder appeared to check out when doing my research, it was simply not the case upon arrival. Volunteers are led in circles, and asked to complete frivolous projects because the owner is unable to devise impact full projects for paying volunteers. There are no benchmarks for organizational success, and despite the fact that the organization has been in operation for 3 years, there is little to show for it. Additionally, the $500.00 USD fee is something that should be questioned by prospective volunteers. The lack of adequate accounting led to misplaced funds, insufficient in hand cash and wasted, costly trips to the main island.
On numerous occasions I was asked to front money to the founder, which I have never experienced prior, as a volunteer. If the promised "activities" (included in the volunteer fee) were in fact included, the costly fee may not be so outrageous; however, I would expect an organization called Give and Surf to in fact provide surf lessons, at bare minimum. During my time spent with the organization none of the promised activities were provided, as the founder was more interested in enjoying the surf himself.
Please do not expect surfing, snorkeling, fishing, or much exploring, as it is an "inconvenience" for the founder. Prior to committing, please question where the volunteer fee is being applied, the organizations true impact and the overall legitimacy of an organization that lacks transparency. Should you have additional questions please contact me at jadebullard@gmail.com, as he does not provide contact information for previous volunteers on his website, and screens the volunteer comments he posts.