Community Development Internships in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
Bribri,  Puerto Viejo

Term: Throughout the year 
Dates: Begin as soon as possible, for 6 months

Description: We are a non-profit organization based in Costa Rica, offering volunteer tour packages for individual travelers, families and groups interested in exploring the culture, contributing to the communities, learning the language and discovering the natural beauty of Costa Rica.

Our Community Development Interns will be working with the indigenous Bribri tribe in the Limón province. As a foundation, we feel it is essential that when we offer help to communities, we are doing it in the best way we possibly can - this means sustainable aid which improves quality of life while ensuring the preservation of culture. The interns will speak to the individual residents, assess the needs of the community and develop ways that our foundation can help them. These are the different projects that interns can take part in:

- Investigation into Medical Care - Because Bambu is so remote, there is a vast scarcity of medical resources and care. Those who fall ill are often unable to contact the appropriate medical services in time, which can result incurable illnesses becoming potentially fatal. The Community Development Intern will be conducting research among the indigenous population to see what is required in terms of medical care and communication systems. They will then liaise with the local government to create sustainable ways of helping these communities.

- Investigation into Street Drug Problem - There is a growing street drug problem in and around the Puerto Viejo area and within the indigenous reservation itself. The Community Development Intern will liaise with local governments with a view to finding a solution to the problem.

- Organization of Sponsor A Child Scheme - It is not easy for children in rural Costa Rica to go to school. The difficulties primarily come from a lack of money - whilst schooling in Costa Rica is free, traveling long distances, uniforms and materials can be expensive. This can be a strain on families, and many school children don't stay in school past sixth grade. Volunteers who have worked on the indigenous reservation often want to sponsor a child. The Community Development Intern would be in charge of working out the best way to organize this.

- Preserving the Bribri Music - There is a radio station in Bambu which plays traditional music in the Bribri language, an important way of preserving their culture. The problem is that they use old records, and with time, these records have become damaged. The Community Development Intern would be in charge of finding a way to transfer these records onto more modern recording equipment. They would also organize other details such as finding out a way to protect the new equipment from theft and training the community in how to use it.

These are challenging internships which require a high level of initiative and independence. Interns should bear in mind that Bambu is a quiet place and they should expect to be isolated from the outside world for several days at a time. However, it is also extremely rewarding as interns will have an important and lasting impact on the community. A near fluent level of Spanish is required.

Please visit our website photo gallery to see photos of our projects and read what past volunteers have said about their experiences in our volunteer blog.

Highlights: Make a difference to communities in Costa Rica while learning community development skills and gaining valuable work experience. Work as part of our friendly team and experience the Costa Rican culture first hand.

Qualifications: We accept university students from all disciplines.

Cost in US$: 5,585 USD for 6 months

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005