Share your skills, kindness, and time with youngsters who really appreciate the chance to learn on this meaningful and worthwhile program.
- The best prices, with affordable fees to suit your budget
- No middle-men mean communities enjoy the direct benefit of your work and payment
- A well organized and safe volunteer experience you will never forget
- Make a significant difference in the lives of disadvantaged children
- Free time to explore Costa Rica's scenery, restaurants and shops
Orphanage Project Costa Rica
Poverty, abuse and alcoholism have left many children in Costa Rica without families, depriving them of the parental love and care they need and deserve.
Global Crossroad's volunteer in orphanage in Costa Rica project aspires to improve these children's life circumstances by providing caring and nurturing volunteers to work and play with them.
The orphanages/Child Care Centers support and protect these children, volunteer assistance helps keep these children off the street, and helps provide them with a happy and productive childhood.
The projects focus on getting these children off the street, and providing them with shelter, food and education. Various ongoing educational, recreational and health projects support these unfortunate children and reinforce positive choices to improve their lives.
Role of Volunteer
Orphanage volunteers teach English in the orphanage/Child Care Centers. Volunteers provide care for the children, helping them with their homework, offer workshops, participate in playtime activities, etc.
You may work with other volunteers and/or assistants. Most orphanages/ Child Care Centers house separate genders, though there are a few that support both girls and boys.
The children crave and deserve your love, care, attention and companionship; and thrive because of volunteer interactions.
Extra-curricular activities may include organizing sports training and inter-school football (soccer) matches. Volunteers also playing music and teach subjects such as mathematics, world affairs, personal hygiene and nutrition. The possibilities are endless.
It was all worth it. I treasured the intimate moments travelling and experiencing together
Jessica Mills
- USA
I was not ready to leave when my two months were up. It was an unforgettable experience.
Roberta Quis
- Australia
This was an amazing trip. I was immersed in new experiences, cultures, languages and people.
Kenneth Janes
- Canada
This experience was both exceptional and valuable. Project was extremely enlightening.
Lindsay Scott
- Germany
Please read more reviews of our volunteers' on gooverseas.com
Skills/Qualification Needed
There are no specific qualifications needed to join volunteer in orphanage/ Child Care Centers in Costa Rica project beyond a preferred basic/intermediate fluency in Spanish. If you cannot speak Spanish, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language Studies program.
Volunteers need to have passion and love for children and be flexible and patient.
Major FAQs- Orphanage Project San Jose
What does the usual daily program look like for the orphanage project?
8:00 am: Bus ride to project location
9-11:30 am: daily activities with children at project location
12:15 pm: Bus ride to Atenas
Where are the volunteers going to live while volunteering for this project?
The volunteers for orphanage in Costa Rica project will stay with local host families.
What's the distance between home stay and project location? What are the commuting alternatives?
Generally, it will take volunteers about 45' to arrive at project location. Commute is via public transportation.
Can I have contacts for home stay and project location?
The information will be forwarded to you upon completion of application process
How old are the kids I'll be working with? How many kids are there in the orphanage?
This depends on the specific project location, but volunteers in orphanage project in Costa Rica will work with children aged 0-10. You will be working with about 15 children.
What are the volunteers expected to do activity wise?
The volunteers for this project have the opportunity of designing their own activities and presenting an activities plan before starting their assignment. There are numerous activities possible: arts & crafts, teaching English etc.
What's the number of hours/daily, a volunteer is expected to work?
It is customary for volunteers in Costa Rica orphanages to work 2.5h/daily
Is this project available throughout the year?
This project is available all year long. Please bear in mind, that local buses don't work during holidays.
Are there any details volunteers for this project should know about before applying?
Please bear in mind that a basic knowledge of the Spanish language is required, since the children and orphanage staff won't most likely speak any English. A police record, showing that you have no criminal record is solicited. A formal dress code is appropriate while working in the orphans. This type of placement does not accept minor volunteers or male volunteers.
Volunteer in Costa Rica: Project Locations and Free Time Options
The project is located in San Jose and Atenas. During the program, volunteers will have plenty of free time in the evenings and on weekends.
While Global Crossroad does not specifically arrange activities during volunteer free time, our local staff can provide free advice, travel tips and assistance in making suitable travel arrangements in Costa Rica.
Volunteers will have the chance to immerse themselves in a new culture and explore Costa Rica. This experience will be educational and a time for personal growth.
Atenas is located about 41 kilometers (25.5 miles) from San Jose in the central Valley and sits at an elevation of 698 meters above sea level.
It is a small town of about 5 thousand people and is popular with a lot of American expats, who stay there permanently.
The temperature in Atenas averages in the mid-70s year-round, but there will be few warmer nights and few evenings when it might dip below the 60s. In the rainy season, late afternoons are wet but mornings are mostly clear.
From Atenas, the views of the surrounding coffee and sugarcane plantations as well as forested valleys are very beautiful. There is a central park located at the heart of the town.
The park is a perfect place to relax and enjoy ice cream or coffee. Cafes and restaurants located within the park serve some of Costa Rica's delicious cuisine including the toronjas rellenas (stuffed grapefruits), which are a popular local dessert.
Nearby shops and markets are very good places to purchase souvenirs such as handcrafted jewelry or traditional Costa Rican clothing. Located just east of Atenas, volunteers can also visit La Garita. It is to home to Zoo Ave, a wildlife rescue and breeding center, and also has a plant nursery nearby that sells exotic plants.
On weekends, volunteers can travel to Pacific Coast or further away to visit National Parks and Caribbean Coast. A trip to San Jose, the largest city, is also recommended.
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica, and it is situated in the Central Valley.
Whether you like fantastic natural views, history, restaurants or adventure tours - San Jose has it all. This popular city is the largest in Costa Rica and it a wide variety of museums and parks and plazas that feature green recreational areas, lakes, picturesque gazebos and numerous types of flora and fauna.
San Jose's main tourist draw is its renowned theatres that have European-inspired architecture and numerous musical, artistic and cultural activities and shows.
Annual festivals and events in the heart of San Jose also draw large crowds throughout the year.
Volunteers will have the choice between staying with well-screen local host families or in apartment-style rooms. Both are located close to all of San Jose's main areas.