Bocas del Toro has become in recent years a community that stands out for its multiculturalism and the diversity of its people. Locals and people from all over the world live in harmony and constant exchange, at the cultural level, and also of new ideas and approaches. As a result, different projects are being created, and others are growing, making Bocas a place where people, each day are more connected to each other, and also to the land in which they live. Some of the most outstanding projects in the islands are: Give & Surf, The Darklands Foundation, Friends of the Casa de Asilo, … In this article we want to highlight the work of “The Fundation at Red Frog”. This organization was founded in 2006. However, it was not until more recent years that it began to have a stronger impact within the Bocas community, to collaborate and finance different activities or cover certain needs of the same. Today its main objectives and efforts are destined to “… develop and complete community projects that promote self-sufficiency, environmental protection, cultural preservation and sustainable improvements in public education and health throughout the province of Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panama. “
The work carried out in Casa de Asilo is particularly relevant. Not only the different donated materials are helping to improve the quality of life of the people who live there. Also the different activities that are organized since the foundation, have and represent a great impact in the life of all of them. The Asilo Sundays, is one of these activities that have been developing for some time and provide the opportunity to residents of Casa de Asilo, and anyone who wants to collaborate in the event, to spend a day surrounded by music, good company and entertainment . Different volunteers, members of the community and other organizations usually come together and finance this event, creating a recreational and leisure space for some of the most needy people of the Bocas community. Another very interesting initiative is the creation of two “Little Free Libraries”, located in Bocas Town, Isla Colón and Old Bank, Isla Bastimentos. These small facilities allow any member of the community to acquire or donate books, so that there is a constant exchange. It also allows younger people and people with fewer resources to get closer and develop interest in an activity that, today, is hardly fostered on the islands.
At the same time, the foundation is in constant collaboration with other organizations that perform different tasks in Bocas del Toro. The Darklands Foundation, Give & Surf, and Friends of the Casa de Asilo, are the three main organizations that have developed common projects in recent years. However, from “The Fundation at Red Frog”, are always open to expand the number of collaborators and learn about new projects aimed at improving the community of Bocas del Toro. The foundation also has a very interesting volunteer program. And from the organization they have sent us some information for anyone who may be interested in collaborating with them. “The Foundation’s volunteer program was initially designed as an internal program for students between 18 and 25 years old. A program would be developed in concert with the academic entities of the students and would allow the student to obtain credit by serving as volunteers working on Foundation projects. or in programs supported by the Foundation. The ideal candidates would be students of Spanish, environmental studies, education, public health or anthropology. To date, we have only had one student volunteer who worked with the music students of the Bocas school; provided entertainment for residents of the Asylum House; He attended a contingent of floating doctors and; Worked with the Food and More Program. The current volunteer program is designed to open the opportunity for all people interested in advancing the Foundation’s mission. Volunteers receive an assistance of approximately $ 1,200.00 from the Foundation for lodging and meals. However, volunteers are expected to subsidize air transport costs to and from Panama, as well as national transfers. ” Finally, from Bocasdeltoro.com we want to highlight and thank the work done by The Fundation at Red Frog, as well as all the other organizations that make Bocas del Toro a place with an increasingly united, more sustainable, more ecological community and especially with more opportunities for ALL
