Getting on the property ladder is but a distant dream for more than a million Costa Ricans who live in poverty. Through the uVolunteer Building and Construction Project, however, you can help low-income families make their dream of home ownership a reality. uVolunteer partners with two foundations in Costa Rica that provide loans to disadvantaged families. You will join the local underserved construction teams to help build homes for local disadvantaged residents in San Ramon.
Building and construction volunteers provide hands-on help, clearing land, digging foundations, plastering and laying bricks and roof tiles, as well as maintaining community buildings and schools already in existence.
You don’t need any official qualifications to help out with the project – as long as you are physically fit and willing to work hard, you are welcome to join the project and land a much-needed helping hand.
Download our program information brochure to find out more about volunteering in building and construction in Costa Rica.
As a building and construction volunteer in Costa Rica, you will provide additional labor resources for disadvantaged families building their own homes. Working in rural areas of San Ramon, you will clear building sites, dig foundations, lay bricks and roof tiles, plaster, paint and mix cement. Volunteers also help out with routine maintenance of community buildings and schools.
Building and construction volunteers work four days per week, from Monday to Thursday. Working hours usually work from 8 am until 3 pm, although this is subject to change – especially during the rainy season.
The construction project sites are based in and around the town and rural areas of San Ramon. Depending on the site where you are placed, you may be able to walk to the project, or you may have to take a short bus ride no longer than 30 minutes to the project site.
This project is closed during the fourth week of December and the first week of January, as well as for a week preceding Easter Sunday.
which left me feeling healthy and mentally enlightened by the end of my three week stay. Everything from planting trees to building terraces to milking cows was so new and exciting that (even though we had to wake up at 6 A.M) I looked forward to work everyday.
Colin Nicol, Read Colin's Testimonial
We grew very tight with the brothers, and they took us around to amazing spots we would have never seen. We hiked to waterfalls, drove to a bridge and jumped off, crossed a river to ride horses, just things that I had never been exposed to. The food was magnificent: 3 heaping meals per day of delicious fresh Costa Rican food.
Daniel Niemhoff, Read Daniel's Testimonial
San Ramon was also a great location to be based from, as the weather in the valley was always pleasant, the city was easy to navigate, generally seemed very safe, and it is fairly centrally located so you can travel to many different places in decent time, especially given the inexpensive bus system.
Josh Lowe, Read Josh's Testimonial
I have learned so much while being down here. I appreciate everything I have been given so much more. I was able to meet the family who is moving into the house, they were so grateful and really made it for me with all the hard work I put in.
Katelyn Kyler, Read Katelyn's Testimonial
hat more can I say than this has been the trip of a lifetime!
Holly Sanderson, Read Holly's Testimonial
One day was pretty hot, but in the afternoon I walked to a nearby creek and sat in one of the cool water pools, relaxing. Other work included painting, digging and hauling dirt, building steps and hauling wood. I worked fairly hard, but that's because I enjoyed it.
Brian Dickens, Read Brian's Testimonial
They made the experience that much more enjoyable. Volunteering, dorm-life, living in San Ramon and traveling made the perfect combination for this trip.
Derek Van De Wege, Read Derek's Testimonial
What an amazing week this has been; twelve representatives from my university came to volunteer in Costa Rica for our spring break, upon arriving to Costa Rica, Nella greeted and took us to our dorm, known as the "gringo casa". Orientation went smoothly and we got a wonderful tour of the city.
Ashley Schiefer, Read Ashley's Testimonial
Dona Isabel, the house mother, made us great authentic food while Nella welcomed us with open arms. Andres sawn my apprehension about leading a group of students in an unknown country and instantly eased my uncertainty and provided more than would ever be expected.
Courtney Duncan, Read Courtney's Testimonial
Although the construction of building the new school houses is hard work, it's nice knowing that it is something that the kids and many kids to come will have forever The kids themselves are the coolest kids I've ever met I don't know how they can wear such beautiful smiles when they are living in such povertyYou can see the hope in their eyes, and that is what motivated to me to work so hard throughout the week
Jenna Thompson, Read Jenna's Testimonial
If you are interested in joining the program in Costa Rica, you should download and read our destination guide.