There are many orphanages in Costa Rica that are taking good care of orphans. They provide the children with a home, food, sent the children to a school to study and are given good clothes to wear. Besides these, the children are also helped to finish their homework and taught many different things to survive later in their life. The orphanages run on donations, from government, abroad and Christian organizations. But they’re always of short staffs and volunteers to take care of children as they demand a great deal of attention. RCDP has teamed up with some of the orphanages and we’re now offering you a wonderful opportunity to volunteer in an orphanage project. Through your help, the orphanage can take care of the children better; and the love and care you’ll provide will make the children overcome any physiological traumas they might have experienced when they became separated from their parents. This truly is a wonderful opportunity to serve humanity, so don’t miss the opportunity to volunteer.

You will assist the local staff to care and love the child. You will be expected to teach children teach, help them out with homework, organize games and plays, keep the children tidy and clean, and keep their beds and rooms clean. If needed you might be asked to pitch in with kitchen work and other orphanage chores. You can get involved in fundraising activities to bring in funds to improve the infrastructure of the orphanage.

What does program fee covers?

•     Airport receive
•     First night of hotel stay
•     Transfer to hostel or host family
•     Accommodations and food (3 meals a day with a local family)
•     Transport to project (one way)
•     Support from local staffs
•     Orientation upon arrival
•     Customized Volunteer placement
•     Emergency support
•     Regular visit (1-2 week interval) and supervision of local staffs

What program fee does not cover?

•     Airfare, Visa and Visa extension fee
•     Daily transportation (between project and host family – If required)
•     Return/transfer to airport, airport taxes
•     Any personal expenses
•     Mineral water and soft drinks
•     Gifts to project staffs and host family
•     Laundry, Telephone, Immunization

We prefer volunteers with knowledge of basic Spanish. You will also have to be at least 18 and stay minimum one month. We expect our volunteers to be flexible and patient as working with children can be little tricky at times. You should also have plenty of passion and drive to help the children.

RCDP will provide from your every need during the orphanage work project. During the project, you will stay with a host family. You will be provided with a separate room but you will have to share bathroom facilities. We have chosen our host family carefully and they will provide with a safe and secure location for you to stay. They will have experience of hosting foreign volunteers before and at least one member of the host family will be able to communicate with you in English. Staying with a host family is a wonderful way to learn about the lifestyle and culture of Costa Rica. You will be served 3 locals meals by the host family. The meals will be prepared hygienically. Volunteers in many orphanages will stay inside the orphanage (in a hostel). You will be provided a separate room, which you might have to share with other volunteer if there more than one volunteer at the same time. You will eat what is cooked for the children 3 meals a day. Volunteers in many orphanages will stay inside the orphanage (in a hostel). You will be provided a separate room, which you might have to share with other volunteer if you there more than one volunteering at the same time. Our staff will also visit you regularly to check your progress and see if you’re satisfied with the project or not. So you can rest assure that you will be completed looked after while you volunteer in orphanage work project in Costa Rica.

Application Process:

• Step One: Select the country and the program you wish to volunteer. Fill out our online application form and submit it with a refundable application fee of $50 ($95 for Nepal). This application fee is part of total registration fee of $219. We need the application fee to make sure that application is genuine. Your application fee is refundable (please read - Refund Policy).
• Step Two: Once we received an application fee of $50 ($95 for Nepal), we will send you a confirmation email within 48 hours (2 working days). We will also immediately forward your application to country coordinator for processing. Our country coordinator will carefully read your application, make arrangement for room/food and other logistic supports, and send placement details within 2-4 weeks.
• Step Three: We will now send you the placement sheet and acceptance letter and we will request you to pay the remaining fee of $169. Once you make the final payment, you can start preparing for the trip by applying for visa, booking your flights and getting the required vaccination. After your flight details have been confirmed, please forward us the details. The details are required by our country coordinator to receive you in the airport when you arrive in the host country. From the next day, your meaningful volunteer experience starts.

There are two options available to those applying for volunteer positions in the Uganda programs:
   Apply online (http://rcdpinternationalvolunteer.org/apply.php)
   Download the application form. http://rcdpinternationalvolunteer.org/files/Application.pdf

General Health Tips for Volunteer in Costa Rica

• In Atenas, drinking water is safe. However, in rural areas, drink only bottled, boiled water or carbonated drinks of cans and bottles. In the beaches, tap water is not considered clean.
• Buy bottled water from proper outlets. Be wary of fake bottled water which are available everywhere. Always make sure the seal is not broken and the cap not tampered.
• Avoid eating food from road-side stalls. Eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
• Avoid eating food from road side stalls/vendors. Don\'t eat unpeeled fruits or fruits that have already been cut by unknown handlers on the street. If you are forced to eat food at a place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot and well cooked.
• If you require any prescription drugs, bring enough for the duration of your stay in Costa Rica. They will need to be carried in their original prescription bottle and the prescription must be in your name.
• Please carry a small health kit which should include medicines to cure upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, hydration powder, deer mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc.