Giving Tuesday: Help Build a Brighter Future for Bocas del Toro Communities

Since 2012, the Giving Tuesday movement has continued to grow into a global event that encourages people worldwide to donate, volunteer, and give back! In 2023, over $3.1 billion was raised on Giving Tuesday alone! We encourage you to be part of the collective generosity and inspirational movement that helps so many nonprofits to continue to achieve their missions and goals.

Our Bocas’ community faces critical and unique challenges. The Ngobe indigenous population is the most impoverished and marginalized demographic in Panama, with over 90% living in extreme poverty and with many still living with no electricity or running water and with limited access to education, medical care and other basic services. The increase in tourism and challenges of island logistics and transportation continue to drive up the cost of living for locals in addition to threatening our biodiversity and environment. Fortunately, we have many nonprofits that work collaboratively to address a wide range of needs in order to ensure that our community grows and thrives together.

Please consider making a donation today!

Give and Surf has empowered the local communities through free educational programs and services since 2011. Their after-school programs, summer camps, preschools, school lunch program, and university scholarships benefit over 1,000 youth & teens weekly. Additionally, their new vocational program, BEST, provides young adults with hospitality and service-based training to help provide needed job skills and increase employment. Donate today at: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/give-and-surf-inc/giving-december-real-stories of-real-impact

Floating Doctors has been delivering care to the outer islands and remote Ngobe communities since 2011. Deploying every week, they provide free acute, chronic, and preventative medical care, as well as dental and veterinary treatment throughout the region. Donate today to equip the expanding programs with additional emergency stations and AEDs to ensure the safety of their team and communities: give.floatingdoctors.com/GiveWithHeart

Papá Gato has organized care for homeless street animals and pets from low income families in our community since 2020. Free weekly spay and neuter clinics in Bocas Town, as well as remote clinics in other island communities, have drastically helped reduce our stray and abandoned animal populations. Donate today at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/papagato

Rotary Club, founded in Bocas in 2019, has facilitated many service projects and hundreds of thousands of dollars in resources to the local communities through its partnerships with other international Rotary Clubs. They are now collecting donations for the annual Christmas gift drive, in partnership with Buena Restaurant, which will provide hundreds of low income families with toys for their children. Drop off cash donations and/or new and lightly used toys at Buena Vista Restaurant now through December 17th.

Mother of Corals provides coastal communities with tools and resources to create and maintain artificial coral reef habitats. Their projects focus on training local community members to build the reef structures as well as how to protect the existing reefs. Over time, corals grow on the new cement structures to form fully functioning reefs that revive the ecosystem and restore the natural balance Donate today at: https://motherofcorals.org/donate/

The Foundation at Red Frog supports various community projects and programs that promote self-help, environmental protection, cultural preservation and sustainable improvements in public education and health throughout the Bocas del Toro archipelago. To make a donation visit: https://www.thefoundationatredfrog.org/donate

Article by Emily Talentino

Editor’s Note: There is so much need in Bocas del Toro and so many worthy causes to support. We are still adding to our website directory Nonprofit & Volunteer section. I would like to highlight a few more organizations worth supporting on this global day of giving!

Caribbean Coral Restoration works to address the interconnected challenges of reef collapse, resource exploitation, and economic disempowerment in the Bocas Archipelago. By designing and installing viable artificial reefs, they aim to restore coral and fish habitats while improving the well-being of local Ngäbe communities. Their holistic approach integrates environmental conservation with community empowerment, ensuring sustainable solutions. Donate to support their mission.

Bocas Recycle Center, led by Unidos Por Bocas, is a community-driven initiative providing effective waste management in Bocas del Toro. They collect and process recyclable materials, including glass, plastics, aluminum, and Tetrapak cartons. Their signature Eco Pavers, made from recycled glass, are perfect for sustainable construction projects. Residents can join their subscription-based recycling collection program to contribute to this essential effort. Consider donating to Unidos Por Bocas to benefit the Bocas Recycle Center’s efforts. Contact bocasrecycles@gmail.com +507 6571-7204.

The Darklands Foundation focuses on empowering indigenous communities in Bocas through health, education, and economic development initiatives, with a special emphasis on women’s empowerment. Their programs support cacao producers in preserving rainforests while fostering sustainable livelihoods. Their yearlong Women’s Empowerment Program offers educational tools to inspire and uplift indigenous women. Donate to The  Darklands Foundation here.

Since 2020, Bocas Chess Club has empowered over 200 students from local schools through chess education, teaching essential skills like critical thinking, communication, and creativity. The club also trains local teachers and supports student participation in national tournaments. By leveraging chess as an educational tool, they aim to reduce illiteracy and school dropout rates in Bocas del Toro. Support their mission by donating to their GoFundMe page.