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Costa Rica Social Work Quests
Volunteer Abroad Programs: 1-52 weeks

Volunteers on Social Work Quests can work at places such as day care centers, elementary schools, elderly homes, hospitals, municipality centers and more. We offer a wide range of different experiences from assisting with cultural activities to teaching English to school children and organizing activities for at risk children. Intermediate Spanish required.

• Please note that all Social Work Quests require intermediate to advanced Spanish language skills and a minimum time commitment of 4 weeks. Groups of 8 or more may go for shorter periods of time.
• Volunteers will stay at a host family who will provide them with three meals a day. Some lunch meals may be provided by the project.
• Due to school holidays in Costa Rica, the social projects at governmental run schools and day care centers are not available in the first two weeks of July and from the beginning of December until the end of February.
• All social work projects (except government run schools and day care) are available year round and begin on the first and third Thursday of each month for volunteers staying more than two weeks, and on the first and third Friday of each month for volunteers staying two weeks or less.

1. Teaching Quest
Volunteers will learn firsthand about the educational system in Costa Rica through classroom placements in primary schools in San Jose. The work consists of supporting the teachers with the classes and playing and doing activities with the children. Many volunteers also help in the administration’s office, though the volunteer’s responsibilities are usually defined together with the school staff.

Due to school holidays in Costa Rica, the teaching projects are not available during the first two weeks in July; and from early December to the end of February (the summer vacation period in Costa Rica).

The project is a good option for volunteers who want to work with children, have initiative and are creative, and want to learn more about the education system in Costa Rica. As this is a government school placement, keep in mind that volunteers must be approved by the government, a process which can take up to four weeks.

2. Childcare Quest
Volunteers can work with children who attend government run day care centers in the suburbs of San Jose. This is a good option for volunteers who are interested in working with children. Tasks include taking care of the children, helping them with the activities of the center, serving food and play, and organizing games. The children’s ages range from 2 to 6 years old. Volunteers can also teach English

 

3. Cultural Department Project (local government)
Volunteer work at the Cultural Department Project generally involves preparing materials for activities, distributing information, educating locals and tourists about the local cultural activities of the department and various administrative/practical tasks. Volunteer responsibilities vary based on the organization’s day to day needs. You will most likely have a great deal of autonomy and will learn a lot on your own. The objective of the cultural department is to promote cultural activities, preserve local traditions and offer a space for artistic and cultural manifestations.

The project is part of a local government of a town located outside of San Jose, in one of its most developed suburbs. This project is a good option for volunteers who are interested in cultural activities and want to get to know more about the culture of the central region of Costa Rica

4. Health Care

City Hospital

Located in the capital city of San José, this Hospital is part of the Costa Rican Universal Welfare System and is the leading hospital dealing with children's health and their treatment in the country.

The volunteers collaborate with the work of the Association of Volunteer Ladies of the Hospital (Asociación de Damas Voluntarias) and assist them with different daily activities they: giving support to the children by visiting them bedside or assisting with the every day tasks of the hospital such as taking care and playing with the children at the hospital’s play ground or helping in the laundry area.

Please keep in mind that they have very strict rules and dress code and that volunteer work must be approved by the hospital

This hospital is a great opportunity to interact with kids from all over the country who are in their recovering process at the hospital, to meet other volunteers who assist at the project and to learn about Costa Rican Universal Welfare System. 

* Please be sure to fill out the supplemental Medical Quest Application in addition to the regular Quest Application!

5. Working with People with Disabilities
Volunteers interested in working with people with disabilities can work at an organization devoted to helping blind and deaf people of all ages. The organization tries to help them become an active part of society. Volunteers will provide support for those working at the organization by helping at different workshops and preparing materials needed for those activities. The specific tasks will be defined once the volunteer arrives according to the project needs and skills of the volunteer.

This project is good for volunteers with a background in special education and physical therapy.

It is recommend that volunteers have advanced Spanish skills, initiative and patience.

6. Working with the Elderly
Volunteers work at an association in the east of San Jose dedicated to supporting the elderly. The association gives them a space to stay active and have a meaningful place in society. For this purpose the association runs varied workshops and activities for them. The association also visits different communities around the area to try and educate people about elderly care and needs.

Volunteers give support to the staff of the association by accompanying the elderly, helping with the workshops and other administrative tasks as needed. Occasionally the volunteers also have the opportunity to do outreach in outlying communities.

This project is a good option for volunteers interested in elderly care and needs.

• Click here for Long-term Quests (6 months - 1 year) in Costa Rica