Green Life Volunteers

Overall, I had a great experience working with Green Life Volunteers and Kuemar Organization. Upon confirming my stay, I received an informational packet from Green Life that had helpful details regarding transportation (from the airport, to the work site), a hostel recommendation for my traveling days, and set some expectations for the volunteer experience. Upon arrival, workers at the site explained to me the typical work schedule and details about the work we would be doing. The workers had so much knowledge and were sure to explain to me why we did certain tasks, answered any questions I had, and really got me involved with the work (filling out documentation, digging in nests, relocating nests). I learned so much about their conservation efforts and the research that is being done. This volunteering experience was also a great opportunity to practice my Spanish, learn about the area, and to meet volunteers from other parts of the world. Unfortunately, I started to get sick while I was there and had to make the decision to leave early, but the workers at Green Life and Kuemar responded exactly as I would have hoped—offered to reach out to a physician they know, asked if they could assist in any way, and ultimately, were very understanding of my decision to go home. Aside from the work, I had a pleasant experience in the recommended hostel and received quick responses from Green Life anytime I reached out.

My son and husband participated in the Green Life’s biological research station volunteer program during the Christmas holidays. I cannot express our gratitude for the excellent experience they had. They are both naturalists and animal enthusiasts. They had a wonderful time and learned a lot from the experts there. The center was professional, well organized, and the people were very friendly. The administration by Green Life Volunteer’s central office was also outstanding. If you’re looking for a volunteer project involving animals and nature, this is the perfect place.

volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary was truly an educational and amazing experience. The work they are doing there with rehabilitating the hurt animals is truly amazing. It definitely took us a couple days to get settled in but wouldn’t have want to miss it for the world. Everybody was so friendly, flexible and accommodating. One of my favorite parts was rehabilitating the baby sloths, which definitely made other tasks such as cage cleaning worth it! To everyone who is part of this project, thank you so much for letting me be part of it and please keep up the amazing work as i am sure its making a great positive difference to costa rica’s wildlife:)

My friend and I volunteered at the animal rescue center project coordinated by green life volunteers for 2 weeks and it was amazing! We found the project very well organized and Janina the coordinator we were in touch with was super responsive in answering all our questions and really reassuring. We were picked up at the airport by a private driver and brought directly to the center. The rooms were very clean and the house was comfortable to live in. The volunteers and coordinators there were very welcoming. The work consisted in cutting fruits and vegetables for the animals, feeding the animals, cleaning their cages, doing some enrichment activities for the animals that will be released, and other tasks. The workday is quite long and hard but it was nice to see that we were greatly helping out and the contact with the animals is worth it! You get to see firsthand the amazing wildlife of Costa Rica and learn so much about all these different animals. My friend and I are not the most passionate about animals but the experience was very unique and enriching. We loved practicing our Spanish with the local staff and learning about Costa Rican culture. We had two days off a week which allowed to see wonderful places in costa rica and it was a good break from the hard work. Vanessa and Laura who own the sanctuary are also very responsive, there to help with any problem and very nice! Overall this was a very positive experience that I would recommend for any animal lovers or for people who want to learn more about Costa Rica’s spectacular wildlife. Lara Melloul (19 years old)

My boyfriend and I took part in the reforestation project of Green Life Volunteering last November for about 10 days and it was an amazing experience!! We ended up in Rancho Quemado, a small village in the Corcobado National Park, where we helped a biologist and some local volunteers of the Monitoreo Biologico Comunitario association in their every day duties.It was interesting to see the many activities that are going on and we were happy to help out for whatever it was necessary to do at that moment: working at the tree nursery and planting trees, bird/mammals/tree monitoring in the forest, organizing a festival for the wild boar protection program and many others... Despite the fact that it was less reforestation than we expected, it was a really nice experience. The people were welcoming and we had the chance to see up close the amazing nature of Costa Rica (flora and fauna). Janina, the coordinator of Green Life Volunteering, was really helpful for organizing everything about our stay, and patient to answer to our questions! :)

Last May I travelled to Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica to volunteer in the veterinary practice OSAVET for two month. I had a wonderful time there and would never forget all these great memories and all these lovely people I met. Especially the vet and his family were incredibly kind and welcomed me heartily. From the first day working there I really felt at home. At first I could help holding the animals, cleaning the tables and the instruments or taking care about the dogs and cats in the kennels who had to stay overnight. Then the vet also showed me how to take the temperature, clean ears, cut the claws and weigh the animals and after some days I could already receive the patients by myself and “prepare” them before the vet came for the examination. Three times I participated at castration campaigns and helped out with washing and preparing the right instruments for female or male dogs/cats, helping to prepare and inject the antibiotics, disinfecting, holding the instruments during the surgery etc. The vet was always very patient and responded to all my questions generously. What I really appreciated was, that he let me do lots of things by myself and encouraged not to be scared trying it. I really thank him for that and for everything he taught me! During my stay I lived in a guest family and had my private room. My guest mother was very nice and so generous: I could use everything I wanted (e.g washing machine, kitchen and she permitted me to take food out of the fridge whenever I was hungry). In general I can say that it really was a great experience; an enormous thank you to Janina who organized everything for me so well and welcomed me in this beautiful country. Thank you to everybody who made my stay so worthwhile and unforgettable!!

I wanted to make sure that my contribution was helpful, and that I wasn't creating more problems rather than helping. This programme was EXACTLY what I was looking for, and loads more besides. From the moment I got in touch with Janina she was so helpful; nothing was too much trouble and she responded quickly to my numerous queries. She described in detail each project so I could make an informed decision and not choose something unsuitable. Janina also talked me through the various options I had for accommodation whilst I was there. She listened to my particular needs and found me the perfect local host family. I wanted to be a part of the community whilst I was there, not spending all my time with the other volunteers, and maybe even learn some Spanish! She even picked me up at the airport. The project itself was pretty hard work, but totally amazing. We hiked out into different parts of the jungle nearly every day, putting up audio devices to listen for spider monkeys, and possible illegal human activity, battling 40 degree heat and high humidity on day-long difficult jungle hikes. But the rewards were amazing. We explored parts of the jungle that most people aren't given access to, we saw wildlife every day, we even had some monkeys throw their poo at us (!) which we needed for our research. It was such a wonderful experience, I loved every single day, and I have definitely made friends for life. Because I arranged this through Green Life Volunteers and knew Janina, I met some other people who were running different projects in the same area who also needed some help, so I actually got to help on some other projects too whilst I was there. I only wish I could have stayed longer. I did a lot of research around the web and realised quickly that many overseas volunteer programmes are not what they seem. 'Voluntourism' is seen as a big money-making for some people, so you need to do a lot of research before committing to anything. I thoroughly recommend Green Life Volunteers. All the projects are genuine, and well-considered, and you will be making a real difference. The small fee which GLV charged me was nominal, just to cover admin costs. You shouldn't be asked to give much more than your time. I also paid for my food and accommodation. Be wary of any organisation which asks you for lots more money just for you to have the right to 'volunteer'. Incredible experience volunteering on a wildlife programme researching the distribution of spider monkeys in Costa Rica

My two week excursion with Green Life Volunteers exceeded my expectations. Janina's organization, enthusiasm, kindness, and humor throughout the trip united the diverse group of volunteers and allowed for a fun and engaging learning environment. Week one was spent in a classroom and workshop environment, giving everyone an opportunity to learn the technical application of solar power, as well as get hands-on to assemble panels with some of Puerto Jimenez's nicest community members. The second week was spent teaching students at a local high school and doing solar installs at two different schools—both totally rewarding experiences. I won't forget to mention the thrill of the dolphin tour, surfing, waterfall hikes, zip-lining, and bike on the beach activities. I've never seen such stunning flower, insect, and animal diversity in one place in my life! I highly recommend this trip to anyone looking to explore Costa Rica or build resilience in rural communities. You're guaranteed to gain knowledge on solar systems, meet the most genuine people, get postcard-perfect pictures, and make unforgettable, adventurous memories. Oh, and try some of the best coffee, chocolate, and plantains in the planet—a perfectly delicious diet to survive by, even for a vegan like me ;)

I participated in the Green Life Volunteers Solar Power Project in collaboration with the Green Go Solar Project during the summer of 2018 and I couldn’t recommend it more! The team running the project were amazingly knowledgeable about every aspect of implementing an off-grid solar system and I learned so much from the course despite already having a technical background in solar systems. The project perfectly balanced classroom-based theory with hands-on workshop training to ensure everyone gained the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the installs, regardless of their backgrounds, and we got the chance to demonstrate this by delivering an practical lesson on building solar panels in a local high school. Getting the opportunity to spend two weeks in the beautiful town of Puerto Jimenez was also a fantastic experience, made better by the fact that we got to live with local families and really immerse ourselves in the Costa Rican culture. My host family were amazingly friendly, helped me practice my Spanish and cooked us delicious food every day. The Osa peninsula is also home to a diverse range of nature and wildlife and in our free time we were able to go surfing, hike in the rainforest, go dolphin watching and kayak through the mangroves to name a few. Overall, I was extremely impressed with how the project was run and it definitely exceeded my expectations. A lot of this was down to the passion and enthusiasm of Janina, Keith, Richie and Jason and if you have an interest in renewable energy, making a difference in local communities and getting to explore a stunning part of the world, I wouldn’t hesitate to sign up for an upcoming project. I had an amazing experience, met some great people and will definitely be getting involved with more projects in the future!

The Solar Power Project by Green Life Volunteers in collaboration with Green Go Solar was a truly enriching experience. Whether your main goal is to learn about solar cell technology, experience the gorgeous rain forests and beaches of the Osa Peninsula, or meet and help out local Costa Ricans, this project is right for you. Janina, Keith, Jason, and Richie were outstanding organizers and instructors who put their time and energy into this project to ensure that it was valuable to everyone involved. It's wonderful that volunteers like myself can come to learn about solar cell technology while simultaneously giving it to those who need it most in local off-grid communities. Not to mention that during my time in Costa Rica, I took a dolphin tour with snorkeling, hiked through the outskirts of Corcovado National Park and to a beautiful waterfall in Matapalo, learned how to surf, and zip-lined through the jungle canopy (where I saw a sloth)! All in all, this project is educational, hands-on, empowering to the local communities, and a lot of fun.

I traveled to Puerto Jiminez to volunteer as an environmental educator for 5 weeks. I was welcomed warmly by both Janina and other volunteers and given a safe and comfortable home stay. I enjoyed the flexibility of being able to make my own hours and work as much or as little as I wanted, leaving lots of time for exploring the beautiful peninsula. Although I don’t speak Spanish, I still felt as though I was able to effectively contribute my skill set to the community. Overall, an unforgettable experience!!

Janina, the program coordinator is one of the most gentle, caring and hard working souls I have ever encountered. Her love of animals and her stamina is truly inspiring. She took me to visit dogs in foster homes, pick up dogs from the vet and help her coordinate a fundraiser for her animal rescue. It's nice to see that there are people doing real work with such love and care.

Definitely a great experience to have in life. The slow-pace tropical life made everything become so relaxing. I enjoyed every second of my two weeks in Costa Rica. Spending time laughing with friends while leaning away from social media; Interacting with nature while feeling her power; watching over turtles, learning the stories of their species, and amazed by their energy and life journey. When I was so closed into nature, I truly felt I was a part of it; a part of the sky, ocean, and forests that surrounded me. This sense of involvement cannot be found in cities, and therefore it became the most rewarding and unique aspect of this journey. 6 weeks into my routine college life I still can't help combing back through my memories in Romelia Montezuma, Costa Rica, for it has the nicest people, cutest baby turtles and purest life.

This volunteering program is a really fantastic one. I learned that turtle eggs stealing in Costa Rica used to be very prevalent, but not now. I am glad that Green Life Volunteers did a great job in protecting the endangered species and make a valuable contribution of nature. Although the living experience is the one I never had before (tough conditions), but it is pith of being a part of nature! I talked to other volunteers from countries all over the world and it was a great time working with them. It was a honor to participate in this program and observe the birth of holy lives, one of the most precious species in the world (Olive Ridley).

I spent two weeks working at Refugio Romelia for sea turtle conservation program with my friends in December 2016. It was my first time doing the volunteer program, and it was such a great experience. Refugio Remelia was located near Montezuma, and we had to walk about 30 min from the town. The refugio was quite lovely, and all the staffs there were very nice and helpful. Jennifer was the manager, and she told us a lot about sea turtles. Our work was basically keeping watch on the hatchery, and released the baby turtles after they were born. We had the opportunity to over 200 baby turtles, and released to the ocean in the early morning. We had so much fun there, and we saw many animals that we hadn't seen before. The food there was also pretty good. It was really a once in the lifetime experience, and I have to thank Janina for answering all the questions before we got there, and Jennifer and other staffs in Refugio Romelia. I highly recommend this program!

If you are like me who is passionate about renewable energy and wouldn't mind some dirt and work, then this program is just for you. Overall, it had been a very hands-on learning journey at the beautiful Osa Peninsula. Looking back at the program, the one thing that made it such a memorable experience was how well it was organized by Janina, the owner of Green Life Volunteer. The lectures were packed with both technical information and troubleshooting experiences taught by very experienced professionals in the PV installation industry. Outside of work, it was a full cultural immersion opportunity. Janina made sure to balance work with fun by taking us onto various eye opening adventures, some only known to the residents of the peninsula. And the most memorable part of the journey was that we were able to apply our knowledge to help bring electricity to a small elementary school that went 40 years without power. It was truly a once in a life time experience; I was glad that I was a part of the change, and I will definitely consider joining the program again next year. Pura Vida!

I spent two months interning in Green Life Volunteers. While I am now sitting down and looking back what I had been through in the past days, I would say it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Janina is a super awesome person who helped accommodating me in a local family when I first came and kept informing me of some interesting events around the town. Meanwhile I find myself learned a lot from this internship. Since I had been living with locals I had to practice my Spanish and tried to immerse myself in the Tico culture. I also learned how to edit videos, promote programs, and improve the web design. This skills may not be relevant with my major, but I find it quite interesting to learn something fresh and it keeps me being an active learner which indeed is a treasure. Being an intern means I have more time to explore the new world. Luckily I had a chance to stay a couple of days in a remote farm up a mountain with my host family. It is unforgettable. Up there I tried to milk the cow, make original chocolate, and ride a horse. The host family is super accommodating and friendly. Especially Teresa, the mom in the family, kept taking good care of me. Sometimes I felt bored about the local food, she would assist me cooking some traditional food in my country. It means a lot to me! I feel so lucky to live with them and the living experience worths to be remembered. Two months, though sounds quite long, actually is a glimpse in time being an intern with Janina. For me this internship is highly rewarding and I sincerely appreciate all of the help from my friends, the host family, and the locals.

An absolutely fantastic experience. Amazingly informative on the practical aspects of solar, while at the same time extremely rewarding and helpful to the host community. I actually got to see the lights go on in a school house that had been powerless for forty years. Mixed with the project was an absolutely amazing adventure, got to experience the wonderful biodiversity of the Osa, from monkeys and dolphins to you name it, and enjoy the exciting nightlife, salsa dancing in the local bars and relaxing with a beer on the beach. As well, the small structure of GL volunteers means that it relies highly on local businesses and all the funding goes directly into the community. Above and beyond expectations in reward and fun! Janina is the best! Also, I was put in a host family on the beach with tropical scarlet macaws serenading me on my way to the workshops. Couldn't recommend enough.

I participated in the 2-week solar power workshop in June 2016. I came to the workshop with a general interest in clean energy and a desire for an immersive travel experience. Such a great opportunity to connect with locals and other program participants. In addition to learning all things solar (theory, system design and maintenance, and how to build a panel using cosmetically defective cells), I made chocolate from start to finish on an off-grid farm, practiced my Spanish with the locals, hiked to a waterfall in Matapalo, volunteered at a local butterfly farm, surfed, kayaked, went horseback riding, and observed an abundance of wildlife (dolphins, monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, and crocodiles to name a few). Green Life Volunteers does an excellent job of balancing work and play. My experiences were life changing and I wish I could have stayed longer!

I had such a wonderful time during my month's stay in Costa Rica. Janina was so wonderful in helping me prepare before I left for Costa Rica and every step of the way. She was so reliable and helpful the entire time I stayed and I never felt once that I was alone, even though I did travel by myself. The program itself was incredible. I got the chance to see dozens of turtles, assist in gathering eggs, transcribing information, transporting eggs to the hatchery as well as assist when newborn turtles hatched. It was the most rewarding experience of my life. I was surrounded by many other wonderful volunteers, an amazing host family, and project leaders and community organizers that made me feel at home. It was truly a home away from home during my month stay. I will definitely volunteer again.