Kaya Volunteering for Educational Projects in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Every Monday

Description: Kaya provides many English teaching placements but we also provide alternative education programs such as working with blind, deaf and children with Down syndrome. Education for these minority groups is poor and they are in great need of outside help. Be ready for minimal teaching aids and know now that you will be the main teaching resource. It is a great opportunity for the children to learn from a native speaker and hear the correct pronunciation, and all you need is a good level of English to participate in many of the placements.

Primary School Teaching in Costa Rica:
Get hands-on teaching experience with children who will really benefit from international instruction. This project is located at a local elementary school which allows volunteers to work directly with students in the classroom. Other elementary school locations include: Barrio Mercedes, Barrio San Jose, Escuela Fatima, Green Valley School, Sabana Larga, and Santa Eulalia.

Pre-School and Day Care in Costa Rica:
Help to create a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for the children of low-income or single working mums, who otherwise are not able to afford quality child care. Much help is needed in this area and you will love working with the staff and improving your Spanish. We provide low-cost care to enable women to work and provide for their families, so this project not only helps with the development of the children, but it also empowers women and helps disadvantaged families get ahead.

Highlights: Costa Rica, or "rich coast," boasts a warm climate, pristine beaches on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, active volcanoes, and contrasting landscapes. With such eco-diversity it is easy to see why Costa Rica is the best-traveled nation in the Central Americas with 1.9 million visitors in 2007. Often called the land of peace, it has the oldest democracy in Latin America and has more than 100 years of political stability. It is also one of the most people- and environment-conscious nations in the world, ranked No. 1 in the Americas on the Human Development Index and No. 5 in the world on the Environmental Performance Index.

Bungee the Old Colorado River Bridge:
Standing at 265 feet the Colorado River Bridge offers one of the tallest and most beautiful jumps in the Americas. The old bridge is located an hour west of San Jose where several companies offer bundled packages, which generally include pick-up and one jump. So if jumping headfirst off a bridge in the middle of a tropical forest catches your imagination then put bungee jumping on your list.

Learn to Surf:
Costa Rica has some of the best surfing anywhere in the world, with fantastic warm tropical water surfing. Surf the beach breaks, reef breaks, point breaks and river mouth breaks on the Pacific or Caribbean side of the country. Whether you're a beginner or a pro there is a wave for everyone.

Whale and Dolphin Watching:
The shallow warm waters create the ideal ecosystem for humpback whales, killer whales, Pilot Whales and bottlenose, spinner and spotted dolphins. Humpback whales come from two hemispheres to breed and spend the longest period of the year here. Its the premier location to see these amazing mammals up close.

There are lots of young people who work with the participants so it will be a great opportunity to interact with locals while helping them improve the community.

Qualifications: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 18 years old

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

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008