I’m 21, studying Spanish and am finishing my prerequisites for a physician assistant program.

2. What was your housing like?

I lived with a friendly Cusquena family; energetic dad, kind mom, 17-yr-old son, 5-yr-old daughter and completed with a dog and a couple birds. Our house shared our door to the street as well as our address with two other houses (it was it’s own house, but kind of had it’s own “cul da sac” off the street). The bathroom was a separate room outside the house, with inconsistent water. Very Peruvian.

3. What did you eat?

A lot of potatoes and rice, haha. But seriously, the food was good. It’s more natural, and thus healthier, than American food.

4. What did you do during your project placement?

Worked with nurses or alongside physicians in a basic health center that catered to a suburb of Cusco, giving it’s services for free and the medicine too, if the family couldn’t afford to pay. Specific things I did were: to learn to exam a pregnant woman, check for various types of otitis, educate the reasons why a child is getting diarrhea, go to families homes to make sure the hygiene for the children is healthy enough, find tuberculosis under the microscope, test the psychomotor development of a child, etc.

5. What is your most memorable experience?

When Yovana, my favorite nurse, took me out into the neighborhood to the homes of families were the children were suffering from diarrhea and family didn’t score well enough on the hygiene questionnaire. We saw the actual living conditions, if allowed in, and advised on more sanitary ways of doing things. It provided more pressure onto the families to improve their living conditions, as the nurses would continue returning until their score was up to par. What made the day even cooler was since we were up the hill outside of Cusco, Yovana made a little side trip for me to show me some ruins that many of the locals didn’t even know about, telling me about medicinal uses for plants we passed along the way. Definitely a bonding moment

6. What have you done as a Volunteer that you never thought you would?

Get a different perspective on the “indigenous” side of the community.

7. Do you have any advice for anyone considering joining Volunteer Visions?

Be patient. Peru is not known for its organization.

8. Do you have any photos that you would like to share?

Sure, check em’ out!

Interested in a free trip volunteer trip abroad?

By fundraising you can cover the entire cost of your trip, from airfare to program fee.

Here are some tips to raise money for your volunteer trip:

Many of your donors will know nothing about third world development; they are more interested in contributing to a good cause (poverty, housing, environment, children, etc.). Too much information could alienate a potentially good donor. Keep your letters to one page.

Talk about what you will be doing and why you want to help in that area. Remember that many of the people you will be soliciting know very little about third world development and want to keep things simple. Talk about transportation expenses for the trip, medical insurance, vaccinations home stay and project costs

They must act now! Tell them that “People are struggling every day in Ghana where I will be a volunteer.” This

When you say “contribution” some people are thinking $5 while others are thinking $100. Make it easy for them. Tell people how much you want.

Tell them about what you are doing, your thoughts experiences and pictures. The easiest way to do this is through a blog. Volunteer Visions recommends using Blogger, which is both free and very easy to use.

For Fundraising Ideas:

http://www.fundraising.com/

http://www.fundraising-ideas.com/

http://nonprofit.about.com/od/fundraising/Fundraising_Tips_and_Tools.htm

http://www.managementhelp.org/fndrsng/np_raise/np_raise.htm

http://www.orderofomega.org/pdf/financial.PDF.

Let’s begin with the similarities between Volunteer Visions and the Peace Corps.

Both programs are centered on the desire to do something that is both good for the world and an entirely new experience for the individual. By joining you will travel to a foreign country and work towards community development and sustainability.

However, the Peace Corps requires a considerably greater commitment from its participants.

There are four main steps to joining the  Peace Corps:

1. Complete the application. This step involves
2. Meet for an interview
3. Get your medical check-ups
4. Wait for a placement

This process can take between 3 and 6 months and there is no guarantee where you will be placed. Being open to the unexpected is part of the adventure, but that adventure is a 27 month time commitment.

At Volunteer Visions we understand that not everyone has option of taking two years to volunteer. Luckily lifelong memories and experiences can be found during much shorter cultural exchanges.

Volunteer Visions programs are open to anyone who is 18 and older and has a two weeks free to travel.  The country you will be volunteering in may or may not be English speaking but with Volunteer Visions you may choose your destination.

We share the same goals as the Peace Corps and are focused on helping people help themselves. Our projects foster sustainability and we believe in a future of intelligent development and conservation.Volunteer Visions and the Peace Corp are not competing organizations in any way, shape or form. We highly commend anyone who commits themselves to the Peace Corp.

The world that we live in today is one of global interconnection. By working with people from different cultures and backgrounds you build on similarities and the resulting cultural exchange serves not only the individuals involved, but the wider world.Everyone should be able to gain for these interactions.

You will have the chance to make a difference and help others. The benefits spread not only into the community, but into your daily life when you return home.

Volunteer abroad with Volunteer Visions. Be part of the difference.

1. Are there any new projects in development?

See the last two posts to the blog for more information!

2. Has anything exciting or new happened in the past few weeks?

Yes, we’ve changed locations to a better area/office space, we are working on developing new partnerships with foundations in the coastal area of Guayaquil.

3. Do you have any volunteers currently working in your project? What is the average number of volunteers at any given time?

At this time we have 15 volunteers in various projects throughout Ecuador but depending on the season we have upwards of 30 so the average is approximately 20 volunteers a month.

4. Is there any upcoming holidays that have importance in the local communities?

We have Carnival on the 4^th and 5^th of February, we also have Easter that this year falls on the 20^th and 21^st of March.

5. Is there was one thing someone should know before taking part in your project what would it be?

The volunteers will have the chance to explore the country all the while helping people in need. They will meet a number of other people from all around the world in the similar position. It is more than just volunteer work. It is a cultural exchange in general.

6. Is there anything that volunteers usually find unexpected when they show up?

The weather in Quito and all of Ecuador can be very unpredictable. For some people it is a shock that it can get chilly at times below 10 degree Celsius and damp with the rain. However, a lot of the time the weather is very comfortable, up to 20 degrees and sunny.

7. Are there any volunteer experiences that are particularly rewarding that you can share?

The Semillas Preschool is a small day-care centre in Quito, Ecuador in the neighbourhood of Toctiuco. This child cener is located in a very poor neighbourhood, and the only funding that this day-care centre receives comes from the government, and unfortunately this amount is hardly enough to pay for essentials such as toilet paper, diapers and food. The floor in this project was in extremely bad shape and impossible to clean due to the withered wooden panels. As a result of the efforts of volunteer Caitlin Kirby, who was able to raise a total of $750 USD in donations from the people of Ashland, Oregon, and one other volunteer, they were able to put in beautiful new tile flooring throughout the entire center. The volunteers put it in themselves! I cannot describe the improvement that this new floor has made in the center, the difference is truly incredible.

For more information about our projects in Ecuador check out the following:

Teaching
Quito, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Child Care

Quito, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Indigenous Communities
Pastaza, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Urban Education Center
Quito, Ecuador

Starting at $675.00

Environmental Conservation
Pucara/Santa Rosa, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Beach Conservation Project “JAMA”

This project allows volunteers to learn more about the Ecuadorian coast and the lives of fishermen, as well as help to preserve the natural resources of the Ecuador’s Pacific Ocean Coast.

Project Description

This project takes place in the fishing communities of Punta Blanca. We work in activities aimed at achieving sustainable development and an environment focused on the conservation and care of natural resources. The program extends into the following branches:

1. Environment, Research and Conservation.
2. Education and Recreation.

The volunteer must travel by bus for 8 hours from Quito. This project is located in a beautiful Ecuadorian beach in Don Juan area of the Manabi Province.

“Don Juan” is a small fishing village located on the Pacific Ocean shores that borders the river with the same name. It has a population of 400 people. It is surrounded by two types of forests: dry forest and rainforest. Most of the year the weather is warm, but between July to November it is a bit cooler. The rainy season runs from January to March has the highest temperatures. In Don Juan there is a kindergarten and a school. Running water and electricity are available in the town.

Volunteer Activities

There is a weekly meeting to assign activities to each volunteer and receive a training program. And at the end of the week there is another meeting to analyze and reporting what happened during the week.

Environment, Research and Conservation

In order to compile and update information for the development of our projects, the volunteer will help complete activities including:

• Marine species inventories
• Water temperature measuring and other environment-related activities.

You will also work to help record the progress of the beach by recording important information. The analysis results are a tool that can be used to identify solutions and develop effective strategies to support future conservation.

When you finish your work you will have to present a detailed report of your activities.

Education & Recreation

Education is very important to reinforce the “change of attitude” the environmental projects help foster within the community.

If you like to work in the education you can teach community English classes or help in the local schools.

In the classes the volunteers can:

1. Help children with their homework

2. Assist teachers with the English and environmental classes

3. Organize trips focused on the environment and ecology

4. Organize games and activities for children aged 3-12

In addition the volunteers can take part in a weekend community theatre group called “Buena Vista de Don Juan” conducted by local youth.

Volunteer Profile

We are looking for men and women 18 years or older who are willing to stay at least a month – the maximum duration is 6 months.

Services near the reserve

The nearest health care facility is in the Jama Village, 20 minutes away from where the project is located. Portoviejo or Manta, about 2 hours away, has excellent hospitals.

Accommodation

The cost of the project includes 3 meals daily and accommodation in the volunteers’ house, as well as some excursions, salsa & cooking classes. The volunteers’ house is located 4 km away from Don Juan community, in an area of two hectares in front of the sea. The house has two floors, every room will have to share two people, with a maximum capacity for 8 people, it has electricity, hot water, internet and to use of cellular-phone. We have camping areas at the beach.

What does the Volunteer need to bring?

• Insect repellent (40% DEET is advised)
• Sunscreen
• Shampoo, first aid kit
• Flashlight
• Batteries/ matches
• Canteen
• Swiss army knife
• Long sleeve shirts
• Summer clothes
• Bathing suit
• Trekking shoes
• Cap or hat
• Sleeping bag
• Flip-flops
• Work gloves
• Towels
• Camera-binoculars (optional)
• Sun glasses
• Books to read
• Ziplock bags
• Pens/journal

Duration

The minimum time required to work in this project is one month ant the maximum duration is 6 months. It is possible to request a volunteer visa if you want to develop a project that will last more than 6 months. Volunteers will work 8 hours per day, with 8 days off per month. (It is usually a 5 day work week, but it depends on the nature of the project.)

Free Time

You have holidays off. The volunteer can make campfires on the beach and hike through the forests around area and nearby communities. If you make friends among the local families you can play soccer, celebrate birthdays, and attend parties. You can also visit nearby towns such as Bahía de Caráquez, Canoa Beach and Pedernales.

Requirements

You do not need a college education in order to work in the conservation activities. You do need, however, a great interest in the conservation of nature and activities related to human development. A willingness to learn and work – a positive attitude

An intermediate level of Spanish is required. If the volunteer is not at this level, we can help find a local class to improve Spanish skills before starting the project.

For more information about our projects in Ecuador check out the following:

Teaching
Quito, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Child Care

Quito, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Indigenous Communities
Pastaza, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Urban Education Center
Quito, Ecuador

Starting at $675.00

Environmental Conservation
Pucara/Santa Rosa, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

The following project is currently in development in Ecuador. Below you can read an overview of a project that is aimed at ambitious volunteers willing to live in conditions that are quite unlike those that they enjoy at home.

The volunteer project in the community of Chico Copataza focuses on supporting a native Kichwa family that wishes to maintain its native culture and traditions.

The Chumapi – Siguango family includes the father, a native Shuar, his wife who is a native Kichwa and their 9 children.

Chico Copataza is situated in the parish Simón Bolívar, in the town of Puyo, which lies in the province of Pastaza. The community is of approximately 25 km (one hour and 45 minutes by bus) from the town of Puyo. Puyo is the biggest town in the province, and can be reached from Quito in 5 hours by public bus.

There is electricity but no running water in the community. The water must be fetched from a river near the volunteer house and be boiled before consumption.

The climate in the zone is humid subtropical and it rains for the most part of the year. In the month of August rain is less frequent. Chico Copataza will give the volunteer the opportunity to observe and learn to recognize a large variety of medicinal plants, jungle animals, waterfalls and several bird species, including swallows, parrots and birds of prey.

Program Description

Ecuador Volunteer does not directly coordinate the projects in Chico Copataza. The projects are initiated by the family members and by the volunteers who work with them. The volunteers’ own initiative is fundamental in developing a project, and they shouldn’t expect the community or someone else to plan the process of activities for them.
The presentation and development of work is a priority as an economic resource for the family who has very few alternatives for improving their quality of life. The family needs better means in order to be able to improve the work. The family’s conservation vision is based on cultural recovery and education on the different aspects of conservation, including for themselves.

Services near the community

Internet: In the town of Puyo, 1 hour and 45 minutes from the community by bus. There is also a cafe in Sucre, which is a 20 minute walk away. However, the internet there is not as reliable.

Telephone: The nearest telephone is a 3-hour walk from Chico Copataza, in the parish Simón Bolívar.

There are stores where you can buy milk, sugar and other supplies, a 20-minute walk from the project in the village of Sucre, or in Chico Copataza, a 5-minute walk from the project.
In Chico Copataza there is a health center, however, the family is very knowledgeable in natural remedies. In case of serious illness it is recommended that the volunteers go to one of the two hospitals in Puyo.

Days of public bus transport to the project:

Quito – Puyo: every day
Puyo – Chico Copataza: One bus per day from Tuesday to Sunday, on Mondays there are no buses going to Chico Copataza.
Chico Copataza – Puyo: Tuesday and Thursday none. Wednesday, Friday, Sunday two and Saturday one.

Volunteer work activities

The work schedule is from Monday to Thursday, from 8.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. in the mornings and from 2.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. in the afternoons. On Fridays there is only work in the morning. The work tasks depend partly on what needs to be done; on Saturdays, for example, papayas and bananas are collected to be sold in the Puyo market on Sunday.
The community work varies greatly, based on the needs of the family (maintaining the vegetable garden, collecting yucca and bananas, construction, collecting rubbish, clearing pathways, giving English classes, and other activities).

WORKING WITH WOMEN: The women of the community make ceramic handicrafts, very typical of the native culture. One way to participate in the work and help the women is to create sales strategies for their craft products. The volunteers can also educate the women about nutritional and health issues as well as help them sow and produce more vegetables. Only women can participate with the production of ceramics although men help with other crafts (shigras, changinas…)

- SCHOOL: During the school year, volunteers can teach the children in subjects such as mathematics, science and English. Another way to participate is to teach new games and other extracurricular activities, and encourage the love of learning in general. The age of students varies from 5 to 15 years.

- GENERAL WORK : Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn a lot about the Shuar and Kichwa cultures, including the languages, typical food dishes, harpoon fishing, legends, medicinal plants, and many other things.

Each volunteer will be able to go to the jungle to observe plants, fruits, animals, rivers and the waterfall of Chinimp Tuna (in Shuar: “Swallows of the Waterfall”) from which the project has taken its name.

- OTHER OPTIONS: If the volunteer has knowledge or experience in other areas apart from those mentioned above, it is possible to plan and realize a new educational community project in the chosen field.
Volunteers can also participate in communitarian work days and parties with the Kichwa people of Chico Copataza every monday.

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay in a house reserved for them, located just 2 minutes from the main family house where the daily activities are centered. The family will provide food for the volunteers, generally based on the traditional dishes that the family members eat, though they will also try to serve food according to the volunteers’ needs. Breakfast is served at 7.15 a.m., lunch at 12.30 p.m. and dinner at 7.00 / 7.30 p.m.

As for personal hygiene and washing clothes, the volunteers can use the nearby river for these activities.

What does the Volunteer need to bring?

• Insect repellent (there is no malaria risk in the area but there are a loto f mosquitoes)
• Towel
• Flashlight
• Batteries / Matches
• Raincoat
• Rubber (Wellington) boots (Preferably by them in Ecuador as the cost is lower)
• Working gloves
• Shampoo, (biodigradable) sunscreen
• First aid kit
• Biodegradable soap for washing clothes
• Sandals
• Bathing suit (Swimsuit – Bikini – Shorts)
• Light clothes (Undershirts, light trousers
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Hiking shoes or boots
• CapCamera - Binoculars
• Glasses
• Small bags (for waste)
• Sleeping bag

Free Time

Volunteers will have the weekends off, and can use this time to rest, read, see various attractions in the area, go by the river, talk to local people or visit the town of Puyo where they can use the Internet or public telephones to communicate with friends and family.

Requirements

You do not need a university education related to conservation activities to be accepted into the program. You do need to have a great interest in the conservation of nature and activities related to human development.

It is essential that the volunteer has an intermediate knowledge of Spanish, as without it he/she will not be able to make a significant contribution; the inhabitants of the community speak only Spanish and their native Kichwa. The volunteers must be able to hold conversations and participate in discussions in Spanish.

>For more information about our projects in Ecuador check out the following:

Teaching
Quito, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Child Care

Quito, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Indigenous Communities
Pastaza, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

Urban Education Center
Quito, Ecuador

Starting at $675.00

Environmental Conservation
Pucara/Santa Rosa, Ecuador
Starting at $675.00

I have just arrived home from Playa Samara, Costa Rica. Costa Rica, literally translated as the Magnificent Coast , is almost an understatement. When I first set out to find a volunteer placement it never crossed my mind that I would find a position situated right on the beach, however the beautiful, pristine, and enjoyable beach is only a small portion that contributed to my unforgettable experience.

My experience in Samara consisted of me teaching at a one-week children’s English immersion camp, and my remaining four weeks was spent giving community English classes to the local adults around the town and surrounding areas. I had never officially taught English before, however I do have previous experience as a tutor. Nonetheless, with it being my native language I found the task challenging, invigorating and very rewarding. Playing with children is always a treat and helping them learn a new skill is even more exciting. Surely there were times that I absolutely couldn’t control the wild bunch, but that’s what makes it more memorable. In fact, the troublemakers, or the class clowns, turned out to become my favorite students. After that first week of teaching kids it was great to walk down the street and have youngsters calling our my name and wave vigorously at me from across the way.

The month long lessons I gave to the adults was even more rewarding because I was actually able to see the progress in my students. By the time I left I was actually able to listen and witness them speaking so much more than when they had first started. Not only did I create a student-teacher rapport with them, but they became friends as well. Conversing with them on a daily basis you really start to get to know about their daily lives and their personalities. Some of them even invited me to their houses as their personal guest, what an honor it is to feel welcomed into someone’s home in a foreign land!

At first it was difficult to communicate with my homestay family and all the locals but after spending two weeks at a Spanish language immersion school, I was able to have small conversations and get my point across. The school truly impressed me with their efficiency and organization.

The homestay family that I lived with for the five weeks was more than accommodating. My “MamaTica” was a gracious lady who always overstuffed me with food and laughed at my little jokes and mishaps. It was always a treat to sit down with her and try to have a conversation. She corrected my broken Spanish and I sat there and learned from her wisdom. By the time I left, I grew quite attached to the family, and MamaTica would call me her amor or her hijo and would take care of me as though I was her own.

Not only did I make great friends with some of the local community, but I ended up making great friends with the other volunteers from around the globe and the Volunteer Visions staff as well. I cannot express how much I felt like part of the team. From the moment I arrived in Samara, I was greeted by Lawrence, the director Volunteer Visions, who welcomed me with open arms. Lawrence and Barrett made me feel like a family member. We would even joke around and they would call me their adopted son. At times the Volunteer Visions staff would bend over backwards to assure that my stay was going just how I wanted it to be. I always felt safe and assured in Samara because I knew that I could count on them if something were to go wrong.

On the Volunteer Visions website, it states that there would be extra-curricular activities or excursions. This is true, but I didn’t expect it to be so spontaneous and fun than as it sounded. There are too many experiences to list, but some of the highlights would be making sangria and drinking it on the beach, playing card games until 2am, dancing at the nightclubs and in the kitchen, surfing, cooking lessons, biking to secluded beaches in different towns, climbing up steep remote hills in the dark to reach lively music festivals, etc, etc.

My last night in Samara, the volunteers and some of my students, held a good ol’ fashioned send off for me. A night I won’t forget, or rather I night I can’t remember! I didn’t feel as though I was surrounded by volunteer directors or students, but by good friends. The next morning was a sad one, saying goodbye to all the new connections I had made was difficult. Other than coffee, I didn’t bring home any souvenirs. What I have with me is my newly acquired Spanish speaking skills and the unforgettable, funny and uplifting memories I created while in Samara. Now, if only these memories can get me through the next six hours of my work day.

Find Out About Our Affordable Volunteer Abroad Projects In Costa Rica

• Teaching
  Samara, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00
• Kindergarten DaycareSamara, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00
• Wildlife Conservation
  Carrillo, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00
• Ecological Farming
  Perez Zeledon, Costa RicaStarting at $650.00
• Turtle Conservation
  Buena Vista, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00

Kelly Thompson

I arrived in Samara, Costa Rica with a nervous anticipation of the unexpected. I always dreamed of volunteering in a foreign land, but actually turning that dream into a reality filled me with a roller-coaster of emotion. I soon realized I must abandon any hesitations and embrace my new lifestyle.

I joined the community development project in Samara, helping with the kinder-care children in the morning and teaching english to the locals at night. On my first day with kinder-care I was welcomed, in bear-hug fashion, by seven young boys and girls, all under the age of eight. Bright-eyed and full of appreciation for the simplest things, I found myself learning more from them than they could even realize.

While I loved working with the children in the mornings, my most inspiring moment actually came one evening at night school. I was having a difficult time teaching one student the days of the week in English, but his perseverance was unparalleled to anything I had ever seen. I was completely humbled by this young, nine-teen year old boy, whose determination was completely impervious to any struggles he was facing. At that moment it clicked - this was why I came here. To see even the slightest advancement with this student filled me with a wonderfully unexpected feeling - I was making a difference in someone’s life.

In the end, the truth behind the whole journey for me was simple - the more you give of yourself to the people, the culture and the overall experience, the more you will truly discover about yourself and others. The result can be awe-inspiring if you allow it. No matter which program or where you choose to volunteer, the important thing is that you are going to make a difference. My stay in Costa Rica was short lived in comparison to the grand scheme of my life, but it is a collection of memories that will stay with me for many years to come.

I thank everyone at Volunteer Visions and look forward to my next volunteering adventure!

Find Out About Our Affordable Volunteer Abroad Projects In Costa Rica

• Teaching
  Samara, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00
• Kindergarten DaycareSamara, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00
• Wildlife Conservation
  Carrillo, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00
• Ecological Farming
  Perez Zeledon, Costa RicaStarting at $650.00
• Turtle Conservation
  Buena Vista, Costa Rica
  Starting at $650.00

1. Do you have any new projects in development?

There are few projects under development. We will let you know when we start accepting volunteers on those projects.

3. Do you have any volunteers currently working in your project? What

is the average number of volunteers at any given time?

We do you have volunteers currently working and the number of volunteers varies from 2 to many more in any given month.

4. Is there any upcoming holidays that have importance in the local

communities?

There are many upcoming festivals!!

On January 23rd it is the birthday of the famous Indian freedom fighter “Netaji Suvash Chandra Bose”. Check out the wikipedia entry for more information about his amazing life:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhash_Chandra_Bose

January 26th is the Republic day of India, which marks the transition of India from a British Dominion to an Independant republic on in 1950 and the adoption of the Constitution of India

Saraswati puja on February 11th is very popular festival among students. It is believed that Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego.

On March 21st it is Holi, the very important Color Festival.

Holi is a unique celebration of high spirits, when the new season is courted with a riot of rich colors. It is like a grand kaleidoscope that glorifies all the hues that tinge and renew the lives on earth as the refreshing and rejuvenating breeze from the south, heralds the onset of the ensuing summer in this part of the world. It is thus a festival of spring. The time when the seasonal cycle is caught in a transition. This is when nature starts donning new color. The new foliages start sprouting on the branches, dried and weary over a winter. It is also time when the harvests are reaped and bundled in sheaves. The air is filled with promises of warmth and new lives as the earth discards the wintry glum to greet the bright sun of summer. Beset with this exhilarating backdrop, Holi comes to mark the renewal and rebirth of life. Holi is thus a celebration of life, the life of love, unblemished joy, and good spirits.

See below for pictures from Holi

5. Is there was one thing someone should know before taking part in

your project what would it be?

We place a lot of importance on the local culture and tradition ,so when someone wants to take part in our projects then they should follow these points…….

A. No alcohol, smoking, or sex in the accommodation and surrounding area.

b. No shorts, sleeveless shirts and bikinis outside your own room.

c. No hugging or kissing in public places.

d. Respect the local culture and tradition and cooperate with local citizens.

8. Are there any volunteer experiences that are particularly rewarding

that you can share?

We have many volunteers who did great job for the organization as well as the kids and it would be unfair to single out any individual.

Yes we have some projects in development. We plan to build a new biodigester, wind mill, and classroom.

2. Has anything exciting or new happened in the past few weeks?

Yes we built a Fish Pond for Tilapia Fish.

3. What is the average number of volunteers at any given time?

There is an average of about 10 volunteers a month.

4. Are there any holidays that have importance in the local communities?

Yes, Dia De La Raza and the Independence Day are the most important Costa Rican holidays.

Dia De Las Raza (Day of the Race) is celebrated on October 12th instead of Columbus Day.

Recognizing the strong influence on present-day Costa Rican culture by the Indians, Europeans, Africans and Asians who have settled and lived here throughout history, Costa Rica utilizes the Dia de las Culturas as a celebration of the human race, not just Colombus’s voyage.

Costa Rica joined other Central American provinces in 1821 in a joint declaration of independence from Spain. It’s independence day is now celebrated each September 15

You cannot bring or use drugs and alcohol,. It is best to be in good physical condition because you will be doing a lot of manual labor. You must respect the family that oversees the project who you will be living and working in close proximity with during your volunteer trip.

One of the most important ideas behind the farm and the way we live is conversation and sustainable development, so resources is very important to us. We minimize the use of water and electricity as much as possible, to an extent that sometimes surprises volunteers.

7. Any last thoughts?

We love when volunteers make an effort to learn more about our culture and habits. Please keep in touch with us you leave your project.