Build Homes for Families in Need in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Nicoya Peninsula,  San Ramon
• Central Pacific Coast: 
Cartago
• Monteverde: 
Monteverde

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: multiple dates year round

Description: Many Costa Rican families live in homes that don't have adequate sanitation or safe weather protection. Volunteer work in Costa Rica on this project runs alongside these families to build better homes with local, sustainable materials. You will be working with a rural housing association founded in 1989 who has become specialized in providing housing to rural populations. The foundation currently works with 62 rural organizations distributed in the 7 provinces of the country, such as cooperatives, local agricultural centers, labor and community development associations. Due to the nature of the work, you might not see the house completed while you're there, but the reward comes from working alongside the families whose lives you are helping to change.

Our building projects in Costa Rica work with The Fundación para la Vivienda Rural Costa Rica-Canadá. The people from Fundación have become specialised in rural housing and they operate with a network of rural organisations, which are responsible for proposing families for a house, to help them fulfill the established requirements, to advise them during the construction process, and to collect the monthly loan payments. Therefore, it is not a charity giving away homes but a foundation.

Each project is a cooperative effort incorporating the home recipient, volunteers from inside and outside the immediate community, and the foundation. The labour contributed by homeowners and volunteers, which we call "sweat equity," keeps house costs affordable.

Highlights: Costa Rica is a small country with a vast array of species and natural beauty. It contains about 5 percent of the worlds biodiversity, and a quarter of the country is designated a national park or reserve. With 26 national parks, Costa Rica is renowned for its progressive approach to conservation and ecotourism. Parque Nacional Corcovado boasts the largest primary rainforest on the American Pacific coastline and is home to around 140 mammal species including the endangered Bairds Tapir, jaguars and howler monkeys, as well as crocodiles and sharks on the coastal track of the park. The countrys turtle haven, Parque Nacional Tortuguero, lies on the Caribbean coast and its where Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback turtles lay their eggs. Getting to the park is an adventure in itself since it can only be reached by sea or air.

To get closer to the clouds, Costa Ricas volcanoes provide the perfect vehicle. The country houses around 100 volcanoes with only a handful active. Volcán Irazú, the countrys highest volcano at over 3400m, is active and its last major eruption was in 1963. It makes for a worthwhile trek to the summit where its possible to see the Pacific and Caribbean on rare clear days. For night owls, the active Volcán Arenal is best viewed from afar when the sun goes down for a chance of seeing it spouting spectacular explosions of hot orange lava. The Arenal Hanging Bridges, which consist of 15 suspension bridges in front of the volcano, provide great views of the volcano and the surrounding rainforest. Close to the volcano is Laguna de Arenal, the largest lake in Costa Rica, often hailed as one of the best windsurfing spots in the world. White-water rafting, horseback riding and fishing are also popular activities in the area.

With an abundance of wildlife, rainforests and natural wonders to choose from in Costa Rica, it is also worth exploring the acclaimed Monteverde cloud forest. Lauded for its enormous range of plant and wildlife species, its a full on jungle experience with muddy trails and thick clouds hovering overhead. Adding to the areas uniqueness is the Quaker community which settled close by in a town also known as Monteverde in the 1950s.

Sandwiched between the Pacific and Caribbean, Costa Rica has no shortage of fine beaches, whether white or black sand, tranquil or high spirited. On the pacific coast, Domincal is a cosy beach community and popular surfing destination with various national reserves and parks within easy travelling distance. One of the highlights on the Caribbean coast is Punta Uva which is picture postcard personified. The Nicoya Peninsula, meanwhile, is among other things, a hub for idyllic beaches from the secluded charms of Mal Pais to surfers paradise Santa Teresa.

If you come across random large stone spheres, these are just another of countrys unexpected and unique features. The existence of the spheres, which range from a few centimetres to 2 metres in diameter, were discovered in the 1930s and its not known why, what or who, but they are believed to have been made around 200BC to 1600 CE. Around 300 have been found so far in various part of the country.

Qualifications: If you are an enthusiastic self-starter with a willingness to work hard, this project is for you!

You will need to be very hands-on and ready to get involved in anything that is asked of you. You have a love of the outdoors and do not mind working in any weather. You will need to be easygoing and be able to work alongside the local community, as much of your time will be spent with the families. Building experience is not necessary, but if you have a specific skill it will be welcomed.

Cost in US$: $1252 for 1 week; $263 each additional week

Before you go, we prepare you with:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions and forms
- vaccination and inoculation recommendations
- advice on health, safety and culture shock
- contact details to pass along to those at home

Once you're there, you get:
- pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- survival language lesson
- regularly-inspected accommodation
- well-researched quality placements
- meals or food at your accommodation

At all times, you have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers
- access to our wealth of first-hand knowledge

And more! Call us to speak with a knowledgeable travel advisor and to request a free color catalog.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of varies; you will work with families & volunteers

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994