Work in Public Health

Project Summary

There are several types of health projects which are listed below. These projects vary from fighting dengue to working in the retirement home. On your application, please specify which project.

•  Ministry of Health-dengue project. Fighting diseases in a tropical environment and assisting with the general health of the town is what the local Ministry of Health tries to do. The Ministry in Atenas conducts many health and social projects for the town including projects fighting dengue and other contagious diseases. The dengue project is a public health project informing the public about the ways to prevent dengue and trying to eliminate the spread of the disease. It is a house-to-house community project, inspecting areas that could breed mosquitoes and educating the public. Currently, brochures and other materials are being designed to communicate information about this disease. May also spend part of your time teaching English to the Ministry of Health officials. At least basic Spanish is required, preferably intermediate.

•  Association for Women-Make brochures and distribute to fight violence against women and children, teach English, and other projects as needed.

•  Public Daycare-Teach English in the public daycare program sponsored by the Ministry of Health. This is a project that can be done in conjunction with other projects as this will only require an hour or two each day. These are children from lower income families who do not have the access to English training that others in private daycares do.

•  Red Cross-The public ambulance service assists the public through transportation to the clinic in cases of emergency. Work with them, train with them, and teach them English to use when they are working in the field. At least basic Spanish is needed, medical or first aid experience is preferred.

•  Private Ambulance Service-Work with the highest quality ambulance service in Atenas. Assist them in the office and on runs. Should have some medical training and at least basic Spanish.

•  Dentist assistants-Assist dentists and observe practices in Costa Rica . Should have at least basic Spanish and be dental students.

•  Retirement home -Work with the elderly in the retirement home, leading activity time with the residents. Previous experience with the elderly is helpful, at least basic Spanish required.

•  Association for the mentally disabled-Work with the mentally disabled helping and assisting them with projects. Previous experience with people with mental disabilities is helpful, at least basic Spanish required.

•  Laboratory-Work in a private laboratory that runs general and specific blood, urine, and feces tests for the detection of diseases and infections. Assist in the lab with the doctor analyzing the samples. At least an intermediate level of Spanish is required. Experience in a lab required.

•  Recycling project with the Ministry of Health-Development and implement more recycling in Atenas.

•  Cleaning of the park and plaza-Help maintain and clean the central park and the plaza, fixing the area up, planting plants, etc.

Skill/Qualification

Basic Spanish preferred, but not required. In addition to the above listed requirements, previous experience in the public health industry is useful, but not necessary. Volunteers are expected to be reliable, flexible, use initiative, and be patient.

Volunteers Responsibilities

As a volunteer in the health projects of Atenas, your activities will vary based on the project you are assigned to.

Room/Food

Room and board will be provided by the homestay families in Atenas for the entire duration of the program. They will provide 3 meals a day (lunch may be “to go” if the volunteer experience requires that the volunteer has to be gone from the house throughout the day). Experience the culture of Costa Rica, the incredible traditional food, and expand your Spanish. Supervision will be provided in Atenas for both the homestay and the volunteer opportunity during the entire time of the program.