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The Kindergarten daycare center project is an ideal placement for volunteers who enjoy interacting and playing with young children. The surrounding communities in Samara welcome volunteers to help in the kindergartens within their communities. The children are thrilled when volunteers are able to play with them and the teachers appreciate the assistance of the volunteers.

Volunteering in the kindergarten daycare centers allow volunteers to contribute to the care and education of these children. Furthermore, many of these kindergartens are severely under funded and resourced, so volunteers play a crucial role in these projects. More importantly, volunteers have the opportunity to act as role models and leave a lasting impression in these children.

NOTE: An intermediate level of Spanish is required in order to enroll in this project.

Please note that there is a tendency for schools to cancel their classes for various reasons including school staff meetings which can last for up to a week. On days that there is no school, volunteers will teach English and tutor students during the evening from Monday through Wednesday.

Minimum Program Length: 2 weeks
Start Date: 1st and 3rd Monday of every month
Arrival Date: 3 days prior to your Start Date (Friday)

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Volunteer Gender: Male and Female

Accommodation:
You will be placed with either a homestay family or in a shared apartment with other volunteers. If you have a specific request, or prefer a private accommodation, please state your preferences in the application form. Based on the location of your placement and you accomodation, you might have to commute daily on the public bus. Weekly bus expenses are always less than $10.

Food:
2-3 meals per day are included in your program fee if you stay with a homestay family. Volunteers staying in a shared appartment are responsible for their own food. Special diet requirements or restrictions can be accomodated.

Pick-up Info:
A Volunteer Visions representative will be waiting for you at your arrival location and guide you to your accommodation and project placement.

Project Schedule:
You will typically work 3-5 hours in the mornings and/or the afternoons with a lunch break. Work days are from Monday to Friday.

School Closed Dates:

• Easter week March 23-30
• July 2-13
• October 1-30
• December 1 - January 1

Suggested Donations
Any stationary, books, sports equipment, board games and any other educational materials are welcome.

As a volunteer assisting the Kindergarten teacher you will have the opportunity to get involved in the following activities:

• Arts and crafts
• Sports
• Games
• Teaching English
• Music

Please keep in mind that Costa Rican holiday’s and school meetings might cause your placement to be canceled temporarily.

Suggested Skills and Interests

Required Language Level

If you are participating in one of our teaching or kindergarten daycare projects, it is required that you have an intermediate level of Spanish language proficiency. If you have little or no Spanish language skills, it is mandatory that you prove an intermediate level of Spanish proficiency prior to your arrival or you can also enroll in our Spanish language and cultural immersion program before you start your volunteer placement. This program includes 20 hours of Spanish language classes per week as well as cultural immersion activities such as group excursions, latin dance classes, cooking lessons, yoga, and classes in art. College credit can be awarded for course work as well (please contact our office if you are interested in receiving credit for course work).

This comprehensive package of classes and activities is available at an extra cost of $375 per week and includes food and accommodation with a local host family. During the language course, the cultural activities and assignments set by the language program will occupy most of your time so you will not be able to volunteer and participate in the language course at the same time. If you would like to continue with your Spanish language classes during your stay, Volunteer Visions will gladly arrange additional classes on your behalf.

The teaching projects are based in schools in Samara and the in rural communities that surround the town. Playa Samara is considered to be one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. The town is located on the edge of 7km stretch of pristine white sand beach. There are many rural villages surrounding the horse shoe shaped cove with many small islands that rise out of the turquoise ocean.

The town's life revolves around the soccer field that lies in the middle of Samara, which is how traditional Costa Rican towns are typically laid out. The Guanacaste province is home to farming communities and villages that have managed to escape over-development and retain traditional Costa Rican culture and traditions. As a result, Guanacaste is one of best the places to be if you want to experience traditional Costa Rica's culture first-hand.

Reserve Your Spot Now! Only $295 The program fee that you pay includes the following: Food Home stay or dorm accommodation Pre-departure Information (which includes visa info, vaccinations, packing list, etc.) Arrival pick up Skilled and knowledgeable onsite coordinator 24/7 emergency assistance and onsite support Safety and Health tips On-site orientation Social and cultural activities and excursions

Program Fee 2 Weeks $650.00 3 Weeks $722.50 4 Weeks $795.00 5 Weeks $922.50 6 Weeks $1,050.00 7 Weeks $1,195.00 8 Weeks $1,340.00 9 Weeks $1,460.00 10 Weeks $1,580.00 11 Weeks $1,700.00 12 Weeks $1,820.00 Additional Weeks: $120.00