A daycare service sponsored by the government of Costa Rica helps the low-income families of San Ramón have a safe and clean environment, where their children can eat and play while parents are working. This daycare strives to provide an excellent source of nutrition and development as a priority for children under 7 years old. Since the community is living in poverty, offering a high quality of integral services will allow the community to grow and improve.
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Where will I be volunteering?
You will be in working in San Ramón, one of the larger Central Valley coffee towns and set in a scenic basin enclosed by rolling mountains. It is a very unique and close knit town. National Geographic Magazine referred to San Ramón as having "the best climate in the world." Located in the Alajuela province, San Ramón is about an hour away from the capital city of San José and Pacific coast beaches. Just south of Costa Rica's cloud forest belt and east of Lake Arenal, San Ramón is the ideal location for travel around Costa Rica. Apart from its weather and central location, the people of San Ramón shine as the friendliest people you will meet in Costa Rica. They are genuinely welcoming to all travelers to all travelers and are eager to make everyone feel welcome. The University of Costa Rica campus in the town ensures that San Ramón has a vibrant night life.
Project Testimonial: Erin Gantz, USA
The first few days I worked in the garden and helped paint the kids hands on a wall by the playground… Read My Full Testimonial »
What am I going to be doing?
Your role is to assist the teacher during the classes, help the kids with the class activities and teach Basic English while interacting with them. Having a native speaker in the class is a big advantage for the kids. You will also help take care of the kids while they are playing in the back yard, feed them during snack or lunch time, and help out in the kitchen if it is necessary. The staff might also ask you to help with other activities, like working in the garden, painting or preparing teaching material.
What is required to volunteer on this project?
- Language Requirement: Intermediate Spanish
If you are interested in learning more Spanish, we offer Spanish Language Courses that can be taken prior to project placement. - Must be 18 years or older.
What will my schedule be like?
uVolunteer believes that you should have a well balanced work and play schedule. This means you will only be required to work 4 days per week (Monday to Thursday) for a maximum of 6 hours per day. For the remainder of your time, you will be free to enjoy the vacationing aspects of your trip.
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Will I be able to communicate with family and friends?
Internet cafes in San Ramon give you the opportunity to communicate with your friends and family members. You will find pay phones dispersed throughout the town, which you can use to make local or international calls with a calling card. You will also be provided a local phone card for emergencies, as well as directed to areas in which you can purchase international cards to phone home. Depending on your host family, you may be able to accept international calls in your house.
Project Testimonial: Heather Auld, Canada
It was a pleasure to see their smiling faces every morning and hearing their excited voices yelling 'Teacher! Teacher!… Read My Full Testimonial »
What can I do in my free time?
uVolunteer anticipates and encourages your desire for travel and adventure. Your time away from volunteering is open for you to decide your activities. You may decide to take advantage of the local culture and spend time within the community over the weekend. Otherwise, there is ample opportunity to explore Costa Rica and all it has to offer. San Ramón is incredibly beautiful and full of fun activities in which you can take part. It is also conveniently located to beaches and other tourist-friendly areas.
Great weekend trips include:
- Arenal Volcano National Park in La Fortuna
- Póas Volcano National Park in Cartago
- Canopy tours in Monteverde
- Museums in San José
- Rafting on the Pacuare River in Turriabla
- Surfing in Jacó, Puerto Viejo, Tamarindo, and Montezuma
Project Testimonial: Silvia Acevedo, USA
The actions that caught my attention where the efforts the coordinators gave for the volunteers. Read My Full Testimonial »
- Program Name: Volunteer
- Project Name: Volunteer in the Daycare Center in San Ramon, Costa Rica
- Project Category: Care and Community
- Project Location: San Ramon
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Project Testimonial: Josh and Katrina, USA
We lived with a wonderful host family during our stay in San Ramon. They were caring and considerate and made us feel right at home. Read My Full Testimonial »
- Program Fee: A 2 week experience starts from $765; add $120 for each additional week
- Program fees include:
- Airport Pickup Service
- Welcome Orientation and debriefing
- A volunteer project
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Program Activities
- Project Donation
- The best in-country coordination support
- 24/7 emergency hot line
- Extra Local Activity
- Costa Rican Cooking Class
- Letter of Recommendation
- Certificate
- Items not included: Flights, travel insurance, vaccinations, visa costs, personal expenses, and any other expense not listed above
- Project Transport Arrangements: Public bus, taxi or walking
- Suggested transportation budget: Approximately $20 per week (does not include weekend travel expenses)
- Working Schedule: Monday through Thursday; 3-5 hours a day
- Language Requirement: Basic Spanish
- Accommodation Type:
- Meals: 2 Meals Breakfast and Dinner
- Start dates: Fortnightly, on Fridays
- Volunteer Gender: Male & Female
- Minimum age: 18
- Minimum project length: 2 Weeks
- Maximum project length: 26 Weeks
- Maximum number of volunteers: 12
- Resume or CV required: Yes
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Project Testimonial: Jessica Dowden, New Zealand
Helping out at the orphanage is an experience which I will never forget and the children will stay in my heart always... Read My Full Testimonial »
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