Work In Orphanage in Costa Rica

Project at A Glance Location: Atenas Start Point: San Jose End Point: San Jose Duration: 1 -12 weeks Hours: 20-30 per week Food: 3 local food daily Room: Homestay family Date: Mondays of each month

Project Summary

The orphanages in Costa Rica aim to offer homes, educations, and hope for orphans. At this particular program, volunteers primarily help orphans kids by teaching basic English and organizing creative, extra-curricular activities such as game, singing, music, drawing, etc. This program is the perfect place for volunteers looking for opportunities to share their love, passion, and skills with these very-unfortunate children.

Skills/Qualifications Neededs Needed

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory). If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping. There are no specific qualifications needed to join IFRE's volunteer orphanage projects in Costa Rica. All volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient, as well as possess a passion and love for children. Experience working with street children is considered a plus.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers in the orphanage projects in Costa Rica will be assist the staff with the children/adolescent supervision, teaching English, playing games and helping with homework. Volunteers may also complete basic daily work around the orphanage including cleaning, helping with laundry and maintaining the property. Volunteers must be willing to assist with a variety of support beyond just working directly with the children.

Accommodation/Food/Supervision

In Costa Arica, all volunteers stay with well-screened host families. Our host families are socially respected and are well versed in the art of hosting international volunteers. Host families offer a safe home, private rooms (occasionally rooms will be shared with other same-gender volunteers) and shared bathroom facilities with running hot water and a “western” style toilet. Volunteers have the ability to do laundry at the house or the host family may offer to do it for you for a nominal extra fee. You receive three prepared meals per day. If you will be out of the house during lunch hour, you can request a lunch "to go" that you can take with you or eat out on your own. Host families provide typical meals that are traditional to Costa Rica.

Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. With longer placements, we visit our volunteers every two weeks (when possible) and volunteers are always welcome at the local office. If project placement is local, we request that volunteers stop by the office once a week to keep us posted on how they are doing with their home stay and project. If project placement is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by either email and/or phone.