Costa Rica Health & Medical - Patronato Nactional de Rehabilitacion

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Santa Ana

Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year round; montly departures

Description: The Patronato Nacional de Rehabilitacion is an institution that cares for people with some type of disability and that some way or another do not have a family or have been abandoned.

This rehabilitation centre treats people of all ages with disabilities who have been abandoned by their families or who have no family. The centre needs all the help they can get to keep the place running and give the patients the treatment they deserve. Because these patients have no family, any extra attention and help will make a huge impact on their lives.

Highlights: Volunteers who have a background in nursing and a good grasp of Spanish will be able to interact with patients and provide care.

Qualifications: Volunteers must have a background in nursing or medicine to take part as a health and medical volunteer in this facility. However other volunteers are more than welcome to help out as social volunteers, which would involve tasks such as cleaning and helping in the kitchen and talking with the patients.

People willing in a number of situations are needed. It is very important to realize that those with no medical or nursing background will not be working directly with patients, but helping out with other tasks. Nursing experience or training in social work is a bonus. Emotionally stable people volunteers are needed as they will be working with people a lot less fortunate than most of us.

Cost in US$: $2995 for 8 weeks; $165 for each additional week

Experience Required: yes

A background in Medicine/Nursing as well as a strong basis in Spanish is required.

Typical Volunteer: We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement: We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded: 1998