The program
The mission of this program is to contribute to the children of Costa Rica, to promote education, and to ensure their proper physical, emotional, and social development. The early childhood centres on this program provide care and education for 20 to 40 local children, aged 3 to 6 years old, and provide a place where the children of working-class parents can have a place to be educated, have friends, and to feel comfortable. Some of the children also come from single parent families who would struggle without the help and assistance provided by these day care facilities. The children attending these projects require a lot of care, attention and most importantly, companionship. Costa Rica volunteers spend their time caring for the children, helping with their schoolwork, playing games and arranging fun activities during leisure time, like sports or art. Attention and companionship is what the children in these projects need the most, and the attendance of international volunteers is always a highlight for them.
Goals of this Project:
How you can help
Volunteers play an essential role in helping families in Costa Rica through this program. Participants will spend their time taking care of children and assist the local staff as needed. Volunteers will work Monday to Friday for at least 4 to 6 hours per day.
Volunteers spend their time assisting the local teacher with daily activities, and will spend time teaching and playing with the children. They will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
8:00am Breakfast at the accommodation
8:30am Walk/bus to your project site
9:00am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor
9:30am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.
2:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
2:15pm Debrief with project supervisor
2:30pm Walk/bus back to the accommodation
Evenings Free time to relax and have dinner or go out and explore the sights and sounds of Playa Jaco – a cool and vibrant surf town!
Upon your arrival in San Jose you will be collected at the airport and taken to host family accommodation in Santa Barbara de Heredia, 40mins north of San Jose, where you will stay Saturday night.
On Sunday a brief welcome orientation will be provided to help you settle in and ask any last minute questions. The local team will arrange your transfer to Jaco by public bus on Sunday afternoon. A representative from the local project team will meet you on arrival in Jaco and take you to the accommodations to settle in.
On Monday morning, you will be taken to your project site and introduced to the project leader who will provide specific information about your role.
Volunteers on this amazing program are housed in a comfortable and relaxed hotel to the south of bustling Jaco township, a short ride from the beach, shops and restaurants.
Rooms are shared by up to 4 volunteers, depending on the time of year and number of volunteers onsite. The rooms each have their own bathroom and are equipped with cable TV, coffee machine and fridge. There is even a pool, air-conditioning and wifi! A great base from which to volunteer and explore.
Volunteers are provided with breakfast and lunch each day throughout the placement. Dinner can either be delivered or eaten out at one of the local cafes or restaurants where you can try cheap and tasty local food. Easy!
This project is available year-round and programs start every SATURDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
Childcare & Development Supporter
Work with vulnerable children in Playa Jaco
$357/week
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