Volunteer in Latin America
"Going to Costa Rica was the best decision I’ve ever made. The pictures and stories will never do justice to what my experience made me feel. I worked with an amazing group of people and I’ll never forget all my amigos (friends) at the school."Dylan, Volunteer in Costa Rica
Volunteering in Latin America
CCS operates volunteer programs in four countries in Latin America: in Brazil, Costa Rica, 
Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteers work side-by-side with local people in community organizations focused on supporting social services, education, and health initiatives. No skill or prior experience is required. Start dates are available year-round.
Brazil
Brazil is a country rich in historical, cultural, and natural diversity. Brazil's population includes people of European, Asian, Arab, African, and indigenous descent. Located in the state of Bahia, Salvador is Brazil’s oldest city and the center of Afro-Brazilian culture. Known as the Terra de Alegria (The Land of Happiness), the optimism of the people of Bahía is hard to overlook. CCS volunteers in Brazil work with community-based projects mostly in the favelas (shantytowns) surrounding Salvador and work in a variety of social services, community initiatives, and education placements.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country of stunning geography and weather. Its natural richness is overshadowed only by the beauty and warmth of its people, or ticos, as they call themselves. The cultural emphasis on community and family is truly awe-inspiring and CCS volunteers are privileged to work side-by-side with and learn from the local people. Our volunteers work with dynamic and inspiring community initiatives in education and social services.
Guatemala
Guatemala is an amazing country characterized by its cultural diversity, with strong ethnic roots in the ancient Mayan culture of Central America. While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, indigenous groups speak variations of Mayan languages and have maintained many traditions and customs. As a volunteer in Guatemala, you can work at local social service organizations in and around bustling Guatemala City, or work with locally-run initiatives in the city or small surrounding villages of Quetzaltenango. CCS volunteers have the unique opportunity to learn about the traditional and rich history of the Guatemalan people, gain an understanding of the challenges that the community and country face, and experience the joys and struggles of everyday life.
Peru
Peru is a country of amazing physical beauty: it is home to rainforests, a long coastline along the South Pacific Ocean, and the Andes Mountains. More than fifty distinct indigenous groups still live in Peru, but the population of Peru began to change in the 1940s with massive waves of migration from rural to urban centers. This population shift has provided many Peruvian cities, such as Lima, with a new sense of diversity, while the Quechua culture remains strong in the Peruvian Andes. CCS Volunteers in Peru work with neglected, abused, or malnourished elderly people, or provide education and training for children and teens with disabilities. Many volunteer placements are at daycare centers, orphanages, women’s empowerment projects, clinics, public schools, and microfinance institutions.
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