Costa Rica: Construction and Renovation

Project Summary

Several of the communities in and around Samara lack basic infrastructure and proper public facilities. Some of the daily problems faced by these communities include:

:: Water deficiencies
:: Power shortages
:: Unpaved roads
:: Distressed public buildings such as schools and community centers

As a result, they need the help of volunteers in order to build the basic infrastructure needed to live day to day. The construction and renovation projects involve working on building and renovating public spaces such as schools, churches and community buildings. There are also opportunities to get involved in helping in the development of water systems, roads and sanitation systems for the local communities.

This is a great opportunity to work side by side with local communities and create tangible and permanent results that will benefit these communities for years to come.

At a Glance

Minimum Program Length:	1 week
Start Date:	Every Monday
Arrival Date:	2 days prior to your Start Date (Saturday)
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 can choose to participate in a full day: 9am - 12pm and then 1pm-3pm or for a half day: 9am-12pm

Your role as a Volunteer

Depending on your preference and the needs of the communities the following types of projects will need your assistance:

:: Constructing houses for under-resourced communities
:: Painting and renovating community buildings
:: Building schools and classrooms
:: Renovating the kitchen of a child care center
:: Constructing water tanks and pipelines to create reliable water systems for local communities
:: Clearing roads and laying out asphalt

Project Location

The construction and renovation projects are based in Samara and in the 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.

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.

Suggested Skills and Interests

The construction and renovation projects do not require any specific skills but you should enjoy being outdoors and performing hands-on construction work such as painting, laying out tile and moving earth.

Suggested Language Level

If you are participating in one of our teaching or community development projects, we recommend that you have an intermediate level of Spanish language proficiency. If you have little or no Spanish language skills, we suggest enrolling 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 $190 per week, which is paid in addition to your program fee. For example, if you were interested in teaching for 2 weeks and enrolling in the Spanish language course for 2 weeks, you would pay the 4 week volunteer program fee of $695 + (2 weeks x $190) for the Spanish language course for a total program fee of $1075. 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.