San Carlos

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Volunteer Work in San Carlos

CCS volunteers in San Carlos support dynamic and inspiring community initiatives that serve both Costa Rican nationals as well as immigrant families from neighboring Nicaragua. Volunteer opportunities may include:

• Caregiving : Volunteers can care for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities in San Carlos. It is common for orphanages to house children who have been removed from their homes due to abusive situations, often caused by alcoholism. In other cases, some Nicaraguans who immigrate illegally may be deported, but choose to leave their children in foster homes, hoping that they can live better lives in Costa Rica. CCS volunteers provide educational activities and serve as positive adult figures and role models for these at-risk children who may be going through a difficult period of their young lives.
• Teaching : Volunteers have many opportunities to teach basic English to children, and assist teachers with day-to-day tasks at local elementary schools. Volunteers may also be able to work at a pre-vocational high school, where they can help students with disabilities in English, carpentry, and arts & crafts. The long-term goal of this organization is to supply the students with life skills they can use in their adult lives.
• Community Development : Volunteers in San Carlos can work toward women’s empowerment through organizations such as an environmental group for women that seeks to raise awareness about pollution, and help the women earn a sustainable income through recycling programs in their communities. These women also use the recycled materials to create a variety of arts & crafts, and sell them to make extra income for their families.

Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad, and Insight Abroad (one week) programs are available in San Carlos. Placements are always designed to match your skills and interests to the needs identified by the community.

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Cultural & Learning Activities in San Carlos

Building on your volunteer work in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Cultural & Learning Activities include Spanish classes offered at the beginner and intermediate levels, interaction with guest speakers on topics such as community activism and Costa Rican history, and visits to the natural wonders that create the lush scenery of Costa Rica. For example, you may have a discussion with Elsie Corrales, a former congresswoman in Costa Rica, or visit the local hot springs, La Paz waterfall, or the local Ecological Park. Volunteers can also take salsa, merengue, and cumbia dance lessons, or learn Costa Rican sign language, LESCO, from local teachers.

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Free Time in San Carlos

In your Free Time you may choose to go to a local frog, crocodile, or caiman farm; tour the rainforest; or visit the orchid and butterfly gardens located in Monteverde. Many volunteers choose to relax and enjoy the local scenery, taking advantage of the slower pace of life in Costa Rica, which is often referred to as "Tico Time."

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Home-Base in San Carlos

Located only four blocks from the central square of Ciudad Quesada, the CCS Home-Base allows you to be in a comfortable and safe environment while also being a part of the local culture. CCS is well-established in the community, and our volunteers are well-known and warmly welcomed. Within walking distance of our Home-Base is the town's public library, an Internet cafe, a gym, a bakery (Costa Rica has wonderful bread), and an ice cream store.

The Home-Base in San Carlos is a cozy, two-story home with a spacious back courtyard that includes a covered eating area and small garden. The year-round mild climate in Costa Rica allows us to hold many activities outdoors. The CCS office is in the Home-Base, and always open and available to our volunteers. CCS staff will make you feel at home during your stay and help you better understand the culture. Jose Hernandez, Country Director for CCS in Costa Rica, was born and raised in San Carlos and is now based in our Cartago site. He says:

"I approach each volunteer as a friend, as a local, and as a kind of a teacher, for them to find where they might be most useful, and for them to learn about the community and the culture of my community."

Transportation to and from your volunteer placement and scheduled Cultural & Learning Activities in San Carlos is provided by CCS licensed drivers.

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In-Country Staff in San Carlos

Local CCS staff in San Carlos will welcome you to the community, make you feel at home and help you better understand the culture. They help facilitate your volunteer experience and are always available to handle any questions that may arise. CCS staff is always from the region where we operate, so they can provide a local perspective, help you with learning the local language, and guide you in what to do in your free time.

All of our in-country staff members are warm, loving people who want you to feel at home and will make sure you are well cared for. Each CCS program site has a Country Director or Program Director and a full staff to take care of all programming, administrative, and logistical needs, as well as housekeepers, drivers, house guards, and cooks. Because the staff office is typically located at the CCS Home-Base, a helping hand is never far. Learn more about our San Carlos staff below.

Country Director: Jose Hernandez Ugalde
Jose was born and raised in San Carlos, Costa Rica. He has worked in the International Programs department at the University of Costa Rica and with the Foreign Service Foundation for Peace and Democracy, where he focused on conflict resolution and the elimination of child labor. He also served as Director of Public Relations and as a Protocol Official for the United Nations Conference on the Environment. Jose was a visiting faculty member at the Close-Up Foundation in Washington D.C., where he taught courses on civic education and democracy in the United States. His main interests focus around eliminating child abuse and bringing art into his community. In addition to his role as Country Director for Costa Rica, Jose is currently a liaison in San Carlos for the National Theater Company located in San Jose.

Program Coordinator: Greivin Guzman
Greivin is in charge of coordinating placements for the volunteers and acts as a contact between the partner programs and the volunteers. He coordinates cultural and learning activities, feedback meetings, and orientation sessions. Greivin is the person to talk to if you have any questions regarding your volunteer placement.

Program Assistant: Margeth Vargas
Margeth directly assists the Program Coordinator. She is also the translator between volunteers and partner programs. She helps to coordinate the cultural and learning activities, feedback meetings, and orientation. Margeth also joins the volunteers during the fieldtrips and supervises volunteer work.

House Manager: Monica Vargas
Monica is responsible for the logistics of the program such as arranging transportation, food, etc.

Intern Assistant: Margeth Vargas
Margeth is in charge of coordinating the activities for interns, such as special guest speakers and projects at their intern placement.

Cooks: Mery Ortega and Rosa Valerio
Mery and Rosa prepare traditional Costa Rican meals for all volunteers. This includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Housekeeper: Mayra Herrera
Mayra is in charge of keeping the house clean and comfortable for the volunteers.

Driver: Ronald Zamora
Our driver will pick you up and drop you off at the airport. He will also provide transportation to and from the worksites and when necessary for the field trips.

Night Guards: Ademar Montero and Manuel Reina
Ademar and Manuel are in charge of the safety of the house and the volunteers.