A new type of tourist attraction

Visit a school in Bocas

They’ll be happy to receive you – and practice their English.

Bocas del Toro draws large numbers of tourists to the northwest corner of Panama for many reasons. Perhaps it is for the pristine waters, the idyllic setting of hotels on stilts over the sea, surf, fishing, great dining or even dolphin watching in the relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.

But now a different type of tourism has been proposed. Bocas Educational Services Organization (BESO)suggests that visitors visit a local school to link socially conscientious tourists with the educational needs of Bocas children.

"BESO" means "kiss" in Spanish. The non-profit organization proposes that tourists take note of the grave basic educational needs of children in the Bocas del Toro province, and urges them to leave a positive footprint for the community. Since 2002 they have organized dinner auctions and social events and they donate profits to build schools and secure basic services for the children like clean water, chalk, books, school uniforms and shoes.

Through contacting BESO, you can arrange to visit a school while in Bocas del Toro, where you will surely be greeted by a group of children happy to receive a visitor and practice their English. For many the visit can be eye-opening. For some it is hard to believe the conditions of some of these remote educational facilities, where children must travel long distances by land or sea from their rural homes to school. But BESO points out that by taking school supplies and perhaps a sack of apples, visitors can see before their own eyes the great influence that just a little help can make in the lives of underprivileged young children.

Contact BESO at bocasbeso@yahoo.com and visit their website
www.bocasbeso.com.