Description

Volunteers at this placement would be working in the daycare with children between the ages of two to four years old. You would be responsible for planning and supervising creative and constructive activities for the children in this age group. In your position you would be working in conjunction with the appointed supervisor for this group of children, communicating daily plans and methods.

Volunteers would help to facilitate snack time, nap time, craft time, and clean up. Regular outings to local parks and recreational facilities also occur that you would be asked to help with. Volunteers may also be asked to help with diaper changes and other hygiene needs for the children.

Highlights

This center provides education and daycare for a severely underprivileged population of children and mothers. Children attending this school or daycare come mainly from single parent and low income families. In Costa Rica, single parent typically refers to single mother. Many of the mothers whose children attend the school do not have a high level of education, and struggle to support themselves and their families on a very limited income. The opportunity to have their children attend school for little or no cost, and to have after school care provided gives them the chance to work or to go to school to increase their ability as the primary care giver and provider.

The center has a great need for individuals who are willing and able to provide English instruction and support, tutor in subjects including math and art, and help plan and organize engaging and creative recreational activities for children two to four years old. The two to four age group is an essential age group for our volunteers to work with. At this age, children are learning how to interact with their surroundings and their peers. At this stage of development positive interaction with adults and increased attention can make a huge difference in the development of a child.

Qualified teachers are in high demand in Costa Rica. Centers such as this one cannot afford to pay a high wage, as they are run by a private non-profit organization and receive little to no government funding, thus they are often shorthanded. As a center for at risk populations, skilled instruction and positive role modelling is especially important. Volunteers will have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families who are greatly in need of support.

Qualifications

It would be useful for volunteers to have had some experience working with children of this age range, however this is not a requirement.

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3.295 for 8 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Motivated, non-judgmental, and enthusiastic with lots of stamina, who would find it rewarding to work with underprivileged small children.

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Cooking
• Health Care
• Primary Education
• Youth Development

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998