Community work with children in San Ramon, Costa Rica
Location: Costa Rica: San Jose, San Ramon
Program Duration: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Multiple dates year round
i-to-i Volunteering
61-63 Chatham St. Fifth Floor Boston, MA 02109 United States
Description
What does the project do?
The project is an adoption home that looks after children who have been orphaned or found on the streets. Children are sent to this shelter by Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) which is a government initiative that looks after vulnerable children and protects their rights. This includes the rights to health care, education, justice, work, culture and recreation, and the right to a safe and healthy family life. There is room for 14 children at the center, all of whom are aged up to 12 years old.
What's the project like?
This is the prefect project for anyone who loves children and wants to help. The center has 3 dedicated full time staff members and does occasionally receive Costa Rican volunteers, but the help that i-to-i volunteers offer makes a big difference to the center. By providing love and attention to children who've had a difficult start to life you'll have a big impact on their lives. Volunteers on this project need to be creative self-starters who enjoy working with children. You should be flexible, proactive, have perseverance and be ready to work in a new environment. You should be prepared to handle difficult situations as the children come from very difficult backgrounds and may have been affected by child abuse, or have parents with drug problems or alcoholism. A genuine love for this kind of work is required, but you'll get back so much love and gratitude from the children that their smiling faces means all the hard work is more than worth it!
Highlights
Do you want to work with children in beautiful Costa Rica?
The diversity in Costa Rica doesn't stop with the animals swinging and jumping around its forests. It has a vibrant cultural life and though its simple charms attract more than 1 million visitors every year, it still manages to keep its relaxed way of life. This vital project runs shelters helping children who have been affected by poverty and abuse in the poorer suburbs of San Ramon in Alajuela province. Your role is to help give positive direction to the children in the shelters and to help encourage community development. Your days will be spent organizing activities and playing with the kids, teaching basic English, assisting preparing meals and even helping out with homework. Additional tasks such as helping with the cleaning and upkeep of the shelter are also expected (and gratefully received!).
Fancy learning some Spanish to give you a good start in country? Why not add on two weeks Spanish Language school before you start your volunteering. Call us now to find out more.
Trip Highlights:
- Working alongside dedicated Costa Ricans to improve the life of the children
- Costa Rica's fantastic culture and scenery
- Getting to know and be part of the local community
- Being part of, and learning from, one of the world's friendliest cultures
- Exploring at weekends - beaches, volcano's, forests, they're all there waiting for you!
Qualifications
Why does the project need volunteers?
The staff at the project are very dedicated to their work, but because of the pressures of household duties and the daily running of the center they don't always have as much time as they would to spend with the children, playing games and giving them the love and attention they need. Your extra pair of willing hands will make a real difference to the center, it's staff and little residents.
Activities and schedule
You'll be needed at the center from 8am until 4pm each day, with a break for lunch. You will be involved in organizing recreational activities for the children and helping them with their homework. Helping them with their basic life skills and giving them the care and attention that they so need is also on the agenda as well as getting involved in any household tasks or cleaning that is needed while the children are at school. Informal English lessons are a great way to have fun so come prepared with any songs or games that will keep the children entertained!
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Cost in US$:
USD 1,759.00 for 4 weeks, USD 330.00 for every week
Cost Include Description:
What's Included
* Accommodation: Single room in homestay, dependent on location may have to share up to two to a room
* Food: All meals
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24 hour emergency support
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- Childcare/children
- Community Centers
- Community Development
- English Teaching
- Public Education
- Volunteering
- Youth
- Youth Development
Age Range
18-80This Program is open to
Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Home-stays
Participants Travel to Costa Rica
in Groups
i-to-i Volunteering's Mission Statement
i-to-i Volunteering provides unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 130 projects on 4 continents, across 22 countries you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching English, community development, conservation, home building, and working with animals.
Year Founded
1994
