Description

Live and work in the heart of a rural community to build schools and community centres that will offer a basic education to some of the poorest families in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The local people have few resources and lack access to basic services such as health and education. The community centre will also act as the hub of the community proving a space for meetings, training sessions and social events.

Our community projects give volunteers a unique opportunity to work alongside members of the community to help provide basic facilities such as clean water and schools. As a volunteer you will be helping to improve quality of life and provide sustainable valuable resources.

For further examples of volunteer projects you may be working on, please see our website. Please be aware that these may change and are just a guide to the types of community projects we work on during a Raleigh expedition.

Raleigh International is a youth and sustainable development charity that inspires people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on expedition. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

We run different length gap year expeditions throughout the year to fit your study or work patterns. Choose from our unique 10-week (with 3 and a half and 7-week shorter options) or 5-week expeditions. You will be working with other young people from all around the world, on much needed community projects and environmental projects alongside our volunteer managers (aged 25+) and local skilled workers.

Highlights

* Our permanent presence in Costa Rica means that we know what is needed to really make a positive difference out there. Because of this all of our volunteer projects are sustainable and genuinely needed by the communities we work in.

* Experience a unique cultural exchange by eating locally produced food, living and working alongside local families.

* Help improve education, health and the standard of living among local communities.

"We helped construct a community centre in the secluded village, which could only be reached via a 20km walk along a beach. The people were hugely welcoming, warm and friendly and everybody was truly sad when it came to leaving. Having the chance to live and work in an area and really integrate with the place and people was a wonderfully rare and unbelievable experience" Ayesha Khan, venturer, Costa Rica & Nicaragua

"A thoroughly rewarding phase. The best way to get to know a new culture and country by living with a family." Fabio Moraga, venturer, Costa Rica & Nicaragua

Travel Types

• Camping
• Environmental Studies
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Trekking
• Volunteering

Qualifications

* Venturers must be aged between 17 and 24 and up for a challenge!

* Our expeditions are tough, but enable you to develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, perseverance and leadership, all of which are sought by universities and employers and will help set you apart from the crowd.

* We advise venturers to sign up between 6 and 12 months before the expedition departs, the reason being the earlier you apply the better chance you have of getting your first expedition choice. This also gives you more time to raise funds and you'll benefit from our training workshops.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1500 - 2995 GBP

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* Travel and Medical insurance (excluding personal belongings cover)
* Training and preparation
* Support before you go and when you're there
* Food and accommodation
* Specialist equipment
* In-country transport

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of in groups of 8-12

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Raleigh International's Mission Statement

We are a youth and sustainable development charity. Since 1984 we have inspired over 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on our overseas expeditions. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

Year Founded

1984