Community Development Projects in Costa Rica!

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose
• North Western Region: 
Arenal

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: year round

Description: Here's a place to roll up your sleeves and make a difference. Student service program fees are $1,795 for 1 week, with internet discount.

The projects vary by season, and from year to year, depending upon the local need. The Costa Rican culture values flexibility and community spirit, so our assignments change frequently. Our teams assist with a variety of conservation and construction-related projects in and around the rain forest. In the heart of a spectacular cloud forest about 110 miles northwest of San Jose, several local communities and organizations in the Santa Elena area have requested assistance. For instance, at the Cooperativa de Artesanas de Santa Elena y Monteverde (CASEM), a non-profit crafts cooperative dedicated to enhancing the economic and emotional well-being of local women, volunteers assist members on building and painting projects. Also, in several mountain villages, volunteers help renovate schools and clinics, assist local co-ops or help with the coffee harvest.

You can work with local people making walking paths, building rain shelters, constructing bridges and planting trees while you observe mammals, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians and an amazing variety of plants and trees. In nearby rural mountain villages, volunteers assist with numerous community infrastructure projects identified by each community.

Highlights: If you enjoy measuring your efforts by the shovels-full, this program will suit your appetite for "soft adventure," while you simultaneously make a significant contribution to a friendly rural community. Help with "hands-on" projects that leave you feeling invested in the futures of the people you serve.

Volunteers can enjoy the nearly limitless natural and cultural attractions of the mountains and cloud forests. Activities include touring Mount Arenal, one of Costa Rica's active volcanoes, visiting a butterfly garden or taking a canopy tour.

Qualifications: If you have a lot of energy, a reverence for the natural world, an open mind and are willing to serve as part of a team, you will make a positive contribution to this exciting volunteer program. You should be in good physical health and enjoy working outdoors.

Cost in US$: $1,795 - $2,195

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: This is a great program for families, students and teachers! Our volunteers are culturally curious and open-minded people looking to contribute to a community development project and to improve their understanding of different ways of life, the rainforest ecosystem and the social struggles in developing communities. They are all ages, from various ethnic backgrounds and of all different professions, such as educators, students, laborers, medical professionals, full-time parents, computer professionals, artists, lawyers and the like.

Age Range: minors with parents; adults

This Program is open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-15

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Global Volunteers's Mission Statement: "Adventures in Service". Founded to help advance peace, racial reconciliation, and mutual international understanding between peoples of diverse cultures through short-term volunteer service on long-term community development programs. We maintain partnerships with local leaders and indigenous host organizations worldwide and mobilize up to 300 teams of volunteers annually to work alongside local people on work projects central to their advancement. We also raise funds to support our international and domestic partners and to provide child sponsorships for educational, social and medical assistance. Global Volunteers is in special consultative status with the United Nations.

Year Founded: 1984