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.
Dona Isabel kept the house clean, as well cooked breakfast and dinner during the week. There was never a time that she was not smiling. Ligia was extremely helpful. She took us to our projects, gave us the tour of the city, and was always available to help in any way possible.
Anthony Webster, Read Anthony's Testimonial
Even though I do not have good Spanish Skills the children still played and had fun with us. They really enjoyed playing basketball, playing tag, and taking pictures on our cameras. The construction was also memorable as well. I underestimated exactly what it would entail because it was actually a lot of hard work, but it was enjoyable as well as for a good because.
Eddie Robinson, Read Eddie's Testimonial
Everyone working there accepts you and everyone else around them with open arms. The children are happy all of the time no matter what their life circumstances entail.
Joan Higgason, Read Joan's Testimonial
That is exactly why I decided to go through uVolunteer; to view another countries perspective of physical education, while also enjoying the beautiful country of Costa Rica.
Eric Orlando, Read Eric's Testimonial
Working at the community center was very rewarding experience. Spending time with the beautiful kids was so much fun. Helping at the community center, painting a mural on the wall was a great time and the workers there were very thankful.
Shelby Bilski, Read Shelby's Testimonial
I learned so much about life from the staff and the children and community members that attend there. Everybody seemed so happy regardless of what their living situation was.
Brittney Walker, Read Brittney's Testimonial
She taught me so much about myself and solidified my desire to help children affected by autism in my professional career. The cherry on top came the Wednesday before I left, when we heard the news that she had been accepted into the special needs school and would be eligible to start immediately.
Katherine Martin, Read Katherine's Testimonial
Luis goes out of his way to ask which words we need, he drew us a map of the neighborhood to find stores, the mall, and our dorm too! He was an effective teacher, I started with no knowledge and gained so much. I hope he knows he was appreciated. Gaby was great too - it was nice to have her one night.
Kathleen Hudson, Read Kathleen's Testimonial
If you are interested in joining the program in Costa Rica, you should download and read our destination guide.