Volunteer in our Community Education project and help improve the quality of education for disadvantaged children in rural Costa Rica. Students in areas like Alajuela province struggle to attain the same standard of teaching as their peers in wealthier urban areas. With your help, young students can receive the education they need to build skills for a brighter future.
Working at a dedicated center in San Ramon, volunteers support children who attend the daycare facility in the morning and the after-school club and community center in the afternoon. You will help young students develop their reading skills, assist them with homework, and interact with children through fun activities. Volunteers also deliver workshops that showcase any special skills they have.
Many of the children who attend the center come from low-income backgrounds and have illiterate parents, so the project has a strong focus on improving literacy. Center staff are bilingual but most of the children speak little or no English – an intermediate level of Spanish is helpful.
Download our program brochure to find out more about our Costa Rica Community Education Project.
Community education volunteers in Costa Rica care for babies and children up to 16 years old at a daycare facility, after-school club and community center in San Ramon. You will teach young students how to read, help out with homework, supervise children using the play areas, organize fun activities and play sports with students.
Community education volunteers work four days per week, from Monday to Thursday. Your working hours will be from 9 am until 5 pm, with lunch between 12 pm and 1 pm.
The community education center is a 30-minute walk from our volunteer dormitory.
This project is closed from the second week of December until the second week of January, and for one week preceding Easter Sunday. There is also a mid-term break for the first two weeks of July.
He helped me get my luggage and we set off for San Ramon. Everything regarding my arrival and travel was wonderful y simple. The following day Ligia took all the newbies on a city tour which was very valuable. I learned a little about the history and culture of San Ramon.
Megan Oneal, Read Megan's Testimonial
This allowed us to get to know them and help out with some cleaning and such that they needed done. We also got to help out with English classes for adults and teenagers in the community. Two other volunteers and I worked with the adult women's class.
Jennifer Paskach, Read Jennifer's Testimonial
Ligia is an incredibly patient, organized and helpful coordinator. On the hour ride to San Ramon, she made me feel welcomed and at home in Costa Rica. Her help was priceless during the time that we were volunteering and even after we had finished with the organization.
Zev Permack, Read Zev's Testimonial
I enjoyed the program immensely I think five weeks was enough for me I learnt a huge amount and taking part with my friends was difficult at times but we will go home with lots of shared stories plus we made lots of new great friends along the way.
Alexandra Oliver, Read Alexandra's Testimonial
Also the benefit of construction was that despite the early start you normally get home early which allowed me time to study some Spanish or go to the gym. To finish off I am returning for a week at the community centre which I am very much looking forward to.
Lewis Caswell, Read Lewis's Testimonial
From the moment you arrive you will put at ease immediately. Your coordinator's main duty is to ensure that you have a great time. The programs' living conditions are clean, comfortable and very safe.
Sofia Vakaki, Read Sofia's Testimonial
Unfortunately, that is just not a possibility for me with my current position. When a college friend approached me about an opportunity to volunteer abroad with uVolunteer in Costa Rica, I couldn't believe my luck!
Katharine Skuback, Read Katharine's Testimonial
Instantly I felt comfortable. She brought us to our home let us settle in and we had a very enjoyable dinner. We were given an orientation of the town plus some Costa Rican history which was amazing.
Helen geneieve, Read Helen's Testimonial
I wanted to live in another country for a month and do something selfless. My roommate Brittany at the time suggested I go to Costa Rica to volunteer with uVolunteer. Since in had just graduated with a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature I thought it would be cool to use my Spanish and help others at the same time.
Anna Castiglione, Read Anna's Testimonial
Throughout the week I was well taken care of by Nohelia and Ligia first by being introduced to San Ramon on my own private walking tour and then by them checking in on me daily.
Claudia Johnston, Read Claudia's Testimonial
If you are interested in joining the program in Costa Rica, you should download and read our destination guide.