Education/Children Volunteer Projects in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Throughout the year, every 1st or 3rd Monday of each month.

Description: Working with Children
The focus of this project is to help children living in poverty by giving them love, care, and education. As a volunteer in one of these projects, participants skills and compassion will be utilized to help these children learn about the opportunities available to them, so that they may eventually become productive members of society.
There are several volunteer projects available for those who are interested in education and working with children. Volunteers can assist in an orphanage, school, childrens hospital, or nutrition center.

Athletic Coach
Due to a lack of resources, many schools in Costa Rica do not offer organized sports programs. AIDE works with several schools that are interested in having volunteers come to serve as coaches and athletic motivators for their students.
Any sport will be appreciated, but soccer is the most popular sport in Costa Rica and there is a great interest in soccer coaches. Men and women are both encouraged to participate in this program.

Teachers Assistant
This program provides teachers of English or any other specialized subject to primary school, high school, and college students. Schools are highly interested in bringing guest teachers in to work with the children for music lessons, art classes, dance, or any other creative project.

Highlights:
Accommodations:
During their volunteer projects, participants will live with a Costa Rican family either by themselves or with a group of other volunteers. Participants will be provided with 2-3 meals a day and laundry service. Living with a host family will give participants an invaluable insight into the "real" Costa Rica that they would never have experienced as a tourist.

** A handful of volunteer projects offer on-site living instead of home stay accommodations.

Language Classes:
To those who need them, optional language classes are available. These classes are held prior to starting the volunteer work and are usually one-on-one sessions with a personal tutor. They cost an additional USD 400/ week and include home-stay accommodations and meals. Classes are a great way to be introduced to a new country and improve participants' Spanish skills.

*** Please note that specific details, such as exact work hours and the type of work, can only be determined by expertise, skills, attitude, and Spanish fluency. Also, some programs do have special requirements that are needed to be accepted.

Qualifications:
* Participants must be at least 18 years of age
* Participants must be eligible to receive a tourist visa to Costa Rica
* Participants must be flexible and have a desire to contribute

Language Classes Fees
1 week: USD 400
2 weeks: USD 800
3 weeks: USD 1,200

Also Included:
* Pre-departure orientation
* Guaranteed Volunteer Placement
* Visa assistance (if needed)
* Travel/Medical insurance
* Airport pick-up
* Transfer to your accommodations
* Arrival orientation
* One way transportation to the city of your project
* Accommodations and meals
* Full-time local representative in Costa Rica
* 24/7 personal support
* Certificate of completion (upon request)

AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed in excess of the fair market value of the services you receive from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser for more information.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

AIDE 's Mission Statement: Through education and the exchange of ideas and people across borders, AIDE will build a worldwide community of global citizens who will be part of an ongoing intercultural conversation. AIDE will be a catalyst for change in the world by building bridges between individuals from diverse cultures.

Year Founded: 1992