Women's Rights 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: Educating and Empowering Young Women

Description of project and duties:
Participants will be assisting in a secondary home for young girls and teens. The home is a private entity sponsored by the Costa Rican government and National Childrens Bureau. A majority of girls in the home come from impoverished conditions, and their families cannot afford to house and feed them full-time. Some of the girls also come from homes where family members are drug users and alcoholics. The girls and young women live in the home during the week and return home to their families on the weekend.
   
Daily activities may consist of the following:
* Assisting the girls with their homework
* English lessons
* Recreational activitiesart, music, dance, etc.
* Teamwork and self-esteem workshops
* Sharing meals and encouraging healthy eating

Participants are encouraged to develop personal relationships with the girls they work with. Many times the girls in the home just need someone to listen to them and pay them special attention.

Women with an interest in psychology, womens studies, or sociology are a great fit for this 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.

Volunteer Projects:
We have volunteer projects throughout Costa Rica. If participants are interested in volunteering in an area they don't see listed, they are welcome to consult with an AIDE coordinator. We do our best to accommodate all requests.

*** 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.

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)

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

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