Description

Volunteers assisting at the Hospital Nacional de Ninos may be requested to help in various ways:

* Neonates area: change diapers and/or feed the babies.
* Interact with the recovering children, and/or perhaps their parents or caregivers.
* Help feed or assist in other non-medical requirements to meet their needs.
* Show compassion and warmth to these children who are often alone because their parents and/or guardian needs to work.
* Motivate the children to accept their treatment; help them to understand why it is necessary in order for them to have improved health.
* When possible, play with the patients - painting, drawing, telling a story - thus providing them with a little comfort and happiness.
* When possible, take the children to the area in the hospital, that is provided, to play games and other activities.
* Help patients around 9 to 12 years of age with the English language. Give them phrases, and/or vocabulary because they really feel the need to learn that language in order to provide better for themselves and/or their families.

Highlights

Health care in Costa Rica is publicly provided; however, as San Jose holds over a third of the countries population, hospitals in this area experience a huge number of the ill/sick through their doors and human traffic is consistently backed up and overcrowded situations are always a problem. The hospital lacks the personnel required to handle all the patients needs, in a timely and thorough manner.

In the paediatric hospital, patient interaction is a critical part of recovery, something it is often lacking due to rushed doctors and nurses struggling to care for large numbers of children at a time. Volunteers can play an important role in the patients mental well-being, by playing and talking to, as well as, attending to the non-medical needed of these babies and children who are being treated for and/or recovering from a serious illness or injury.

Qualifications

Volunteers do not need to have a background in medicine. Some experience with children would be helpful. Currently this placement only accepts FEMALE volunteers.

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

Volunteers should be outgoing and willing to help with any task required. The hospital has very strict regulations in order to maintain a sanitary environment and volunteers must be willing to comply with all the regulations. Flexibility around specific tasks is a must.

Volunteer Types

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