Poverty, abuse, and alcoholism have left many children in Costa Rica without families, depriving them of the parental love and care they need. Global Crossroad's volunteer projects aspire to change these children's situation by providing caring and nurturing volunteers to work and play with them. The orphanages support and protect these children, and your assistance helps keep these children off the street, and helps provide them with a happy and productive childhood.

Outside of the orphanages, hundreds of poor children live and sleep on the streets of San Jose . Street children projects focus on getting these children off the street, and providing them with shelter, food, and education. Various educational, recreational, and health projects are ongoing to support these unfortunate children. Presently volunteers will have opportunities to work in three different children projects: Orphanage, Day Care and Nutrition center, and Physically disabled children center.

Orphanage

Volunteers provide care for the children, helping them with their homework, workshop assignments, playtime activities, etc. You may work with other volunteers and/or teachers, and assistants. Most orphanages receive either boys or girls, though there are a few that receive both girls and boys. The children – ages 5 to 16 years – very much need your care, attention, and companionship.

Daycare and Nutrition Center

Volunteers work at a daycare center that provides housing, care, and food for working single mothers and their children. The children – ages 0 to 5 years – very much need your care, attention, and companionship while their mothers are working. These projects receive children whose mothers can't afford regular day care services.

As a volunteer you will care for the children, providing nurturing and playtime activities, etc. You will work with the resident psychologist, assistants, and possibly other volunteers. Volunteers are very much needed to bring energy and commitment to these centers.

Clinica San Juan de Dios

Clinica San Juan de Dios offers free treatment to mentally and physically disabled children. The clinic employs nurses, teachers, and physical therapists. Volunteers are assigned various tasks depending on their skills and interests. All volunteers must help in the clinic feeding, bathing and playing with the children. Volunteers may also work as teaching assistants in the school, assisting with art projects and helping the children with their work.