Work with disadvantaged children in Costa Rica through football, basketball and other sports

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Project Overview
Project Life
Project Details
Testimonials
Free Time

Project Overview

Live in Manuel Antonio, on the stunning Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and work in the nearby town of Quepos to assist disadvantaged children by organising and leading sports-related activities. This project has been set up in conjunction with communities in Quepos to provide much needed assistance to the over-worked local teachers. Volunteers plan and run sports lessons and games for under-privileged children at a community center. Sport is a vital tool to attract children to education centers, unfortunately physical education is not always funded and local schools do not have the resources to supply team sports. Volunteers work with children of all ages but predominantly with children aged 5 to 13. .

Experience full cultural immersion in this coastal community as you get to know both the children and families of Quepos. Learn all about the “pura vida” culture of Costa Rica while starting out on or improving your Spanish skills. Quepos is located near to the diverse Manual Antonio National Park, where you will have the chance to explore one of the most amazing natural settings in the world.

The opportunities in Costa Rica are endless, from rafting, trekking, zip-lining to surfing and the amazing wildlife you will be blown away by this fascinating country.

Scholarships

We are always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to join our team. This project offers qualifying and high-performing volunteers the chance to stay on the project for a longer duration on a GVI Scholarship free of charge and as part of the staff team in the field. If you would like to work towards a field career and make the very most of your time abroad, you might want to work towards a place on a GVI Scholarship. Successful scholars may find themselves offered full time employment with GVI, and many of our current staff have come through this route. Contact us for more information! Please note, the awarding of scholarships is at the sole discretion of GVI and may be offered immediately after the completion of your program or at a later date.

GVI is real volunteering

Our projects are constantly evolving according to the needs on the ground at any given time. All the information displayed here will give you an overall feel for the project, but you should be prepared for any changes in the field when you travel. An evolving project means that we can constantly meet the needs and requirements of our partners, who dictate the work that we do. The way it should be.

Project Life

The majority of your time will be spent working with the children in a local community centre Monday to Friday. Sports classes will revolve around the scheduled lesson times to supply a program of sports education as you also teach core values and character building. You may also be expected to help in other areas when required, assisting in basic academic lessons in the classroom and activities in the community centre, which you should be prepared for.

Accommodation will be shared with your fellow volunteers as you develop strong friendships and working relationships with individuals who share similar core values and passions.

Weekends are yours to explore the best of the surrounding area to experience this amazing country.

Project Details

GVI has partnered with the Quepos community to build a relationship in order to focus and assist on the following areas:

Design long-term educational programs to benefit the local schools
Educate the local population to care for the environment and their local resources
Establish periphery activities and programs to encourage students to finish their primary and secondary education including Sports, Music, Art, English and more.

Our overall goal is to provide the community with resources in the form of enthusiastic volunteers like you as you address a severe shortage in teachers and mentors sorely needed in the community.

How this project makes a difference:

Education is one of the best tools in fighting poverty and sports have proven a vital tool to reaching children and to helping them stay engaged in school.

GVI’s sports and education projects help maintain the level of coaches and mentors within the community. With enough staff, these schools can continue to offer these activities.

Testimonials

It´s amazing how talented these kids are, and how fast they learn, like with beach volleyball. You only need to teach them one or two skill-sets and they can virtually run circles around you...

Steve Neirinck - Canada 2012

It´s amazing how talented these kids are, and how fast they learn, like with beach volleyball. You only need to teach them one or two skill-sets and they can virtually run circles around you on the court.

We have been carrying out football tournaments with the grade 4´s, 5´s and 6´s. The kids are really improving their passing skills, and ball control. It has been so much fun playing...

Laura Martino - USA 2012

We have been carrying out football tournaments with the grade 4´s, 5´s and 6´s. The kids are really improving their passing skills, and ball control. It has been so much fun playing sports with the kids; you can tell they really enjoy it.

Free Time

Volunteering with GVI not only allows you to participate on programs assisting disadvantaged communities or endangered ecosystems but it also offers wonderful opportunities to travel in the local area in your down time or further afield either before or after your program. Many decide to travel after volunteering, solidifying the lifetime friendships established on program.

Our long term field staff are a great source of advice and are here to help you make the most of your time abroad. Remember to ask about discounts on local activities and side trips through your association with GVI. Our Manuel Antonio field teams have helped us put together the following information on trips and travel options in Costa Rica!

Optional Side Trips

On weekends and downtime, the region around Manuel Antonio is excellent to keep yourself as busy or relaxed as possible! See the pristine beaches and hike the trails of the National Park to discover the diverse wildlife the region has to offer, including four types of monkey; go on a canopy and zip-lining tour through the treetops of the rainforest; visit the souvenir shops at the beachfront or cafes along the way and watch the world go by; take surf lessons or surf some of the neighbouring breaks in this famous surf destination.

Further Travelling Opportunities

Costa Rica is an amazing country with an abundance of travel opportunities further afield with the following just a snapshot of the many possibilities!

Admire the world famous and active Volcan Arenal at a distance, and relax in the natural hot springs; explore the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park; for the advanced surfer, aim for Pavones, the second longest left break in the world; spot migratory raptor birds in the Talamanca Mountains and visit indigenous villages; go deep sea fishing in the Pacific Ocean; canoe or kayak along the waterways in the local area on organised river tours; visit the Caribbean coast, snorkel and go wildlife watching in Cahuita National Park; go white water rafting on the world famous Pacuare river – rapids classed III to IV; climb Volcan Irazu and visit coffee farms on the way back to San Jose; back in the capital, visit the Gold Museum or the Jade Museum, attend a play in one of the numerous theatres or take in the Latin American vibe with its lively nightlife.