General Requirements

All student volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two weeks Spanish study before entering the volunteer program and working in the field. It is a preferable, but not absolutely necessary, to be at an intermediate to advanced Spanish level before entering the program. We will accept those with a strong beginner to intermediate level if they are able to demonstrate their proficiency. Student volunteers wishing to participate in our rural program must commit to a minimum of two weeks in the field (in addition to two prior weeks of Spanish study).

Pre-enrollment

Volunteers/participants must have international travel medical insurance.

PVLI provides information about health, safety, travel, passport and visa requirements.

Application is open to all based on stated criteria, but individual applicants are evaluated as to maturity, motivation, skills, responsibility, physical/ mental health and cultural sensitivity.

PVLI clearly defines expectations of behavior in the program including responsibility in the volunteer service, cultural sensitivity orientation and violation of local laws.

Current Programs

If you have a particular interest that falls outside our established programs, we will work with you to develop a special program to suite your individual interests.

For more detailed information about our Volunteer Program, please email with a complete description of your interests – or call toll free and speak with one of our Volunteer Program Counselors. The following are a few of the programs we provide.

Obras Beneficas de María Auxiliadora

Name of the program: Nuevas oportunidades (New opportunities)

Description

This program is designed to assist young girls and teenagers at social risk who come from very poor homes and/or disintegrated families; some of whom have been abused and some are pregnant. The main objective of this program is to help improve their quality of life as well as their long term prospects for a better life.

The first step is to motivate them to finish their high school education. In high school they will learn daily living skills and receive basic preparation for work. Of course, mastery of English is a major benefit.

This program needs female volunteers to reinforce English skills that the girls learn in High School and instill in them a sense of confidence; sometimes a small encounter makes all the difference.

Where: this program Located in San José , about 25 minutes from the school. The program is free to volunteers. English books, notebooks, pencils and pens are useful gifts should you chose to make a donation.

 Cedes Don Bosco: Organization Salesiana

Description

This program is designed for young boys and teenagers at social risk who come from very poor homes and/or disintegrated families, the main objective of this program is to help improve their quality of life and their prospects for a better future. The first step is to help them finish high school where they will receive classes in bakery, tailoring, art, computation, carpentry, and basic accounting to prepare them for well paying jobs.

This program needs male volunteers to reinforce the English skills that they are already learning in High School and instill in them a sense of confidence; sometimes a small encounter makes all the difference.

 
Asayne: Association of help for people with necessities.

Name of the program: Vivienda digna

Description:

Assist in construction of housing for the very poor. This program includes three projects:

San Gabriel de Asserri
Santa Teresita en Desamparados
Lomas de Desamparados

This program needs part time volunteers with or without professional experience to work in this area. Both men and women are admitted in this program.

Consultorio María Auxiliadora

Description:

Clinic Laboratory provides medicines, medical attention and other services to poor people not covered by social security.

They are requesting doctors, medical students, nurses, and other members of the medical profession. Donations of medicines and medical equipment are also welcome.

Fabio Baudrit Moreno Agricultural Experiment Satation- University of Costa Rica

Description:

Volunteers will work the model farm, helping in specific projects such as the cultivations of beans, citric, tree conservation, etc. Your presence will also help staff members learn technical English words that will assist in technology transfer.

The Volunteers can travel everyday or live in the station depending upon the time they will spend with the program.