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Santa Elena Reserve
Located in the Monteverde area, the Santa Elena Reserve was
established in 1998 not only to protect the forest and its flora and
fauna, but to directly benefit the people in nearby communities as
well. Proceeds from entrance fees are channeled to local schools and
help to fund courses in environmental education and conservation,
biology, language and tourism. With 765 acres, a great biodiversity
of species and habitats, Santa Elena Reserve is situated between
many other protected areas. Together they create 130,000 acres of
forest where populations of animals that were previously endangered
have risen (i.e. the agouti, jaguar, and the resplendent quetzal).
Volunteer Work
There are various positions available for volunteers at the Reserve:
1. Trail maintenance specifically entails: building trails,
carrying sand bags, helping lay bricks for the trails, painting the
bunkers, and maintenance of the suspension bridge.
2. Working to maintain the main building at the entrance of the
Reserve.
3. Helping in the store or in the welcome center and with the
Reforestation Program.
4. Biological research and project design.
5. Help with the neighboring schools with which the Reserve
works directly.
5. Support in producing better information materials and
interpretation and help in creating posters, fliers, etc.
The opportunities vary dependant upon the time of year and the needs
of the Reserve. Volunteers will work under the Reserve
Administrator and their tasks will be delegated as needed.
Volunteers must maintain presentable dress and action and must
maintain good behavior both in and out of the reserve so as not to
damage the image of the reserve.
Requirements:
+Completion of 1 month Spanish program.
+There is $100 application fee.
+There is a $100 per week charge for full time volunteers. This fee goes toward homestay accommodation with 3 meals a day.
Teaching English
Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Costa Ricans. Classes are held from February to November.
What components make up the volunteer work?
The student will commit to teaching native Spanish-speakers conversational and written English in these different ways:
1- Substitute English teacher. There are 3 levels of English, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The professor follows a pre-determined program which includes both conversational and written English. On average there are 5-8 students in the group classes; private classes are also available.
2- Assistant to English teacher. The responsibility of the teacher’s assistant is to help students improve pronunciation, organize games or cultural activities for the class, act as a tutor before or after the English class.
3- The volunteer also could help to the Coordinator of English program, such as getting photocopies for the classes, answering phone calls or giving information (in Spanish) about the English Program, to prepare materials or any other administrative function.
Requirements
+There is $100 application fee.
+To speak English fluently
+Well dressed
+Former teaching experience is not required but preferred.
*These below projects are not directly organized by the student cooridinator in Monteverde. They are projects that past students have organized themselves. If requested students will be given the contact information for the below organizations and are encouraged to contact them directly for possible placement.
The Orchid Garden
Biologist Gabrial Barboza has over 400 species of orchids in his garden. His project is to protect and investigate the orchids of Monteverde.
Volunteer Work
Volunteers are needed for the collection of orchids, gardening and trail maintenaince. Working as a tour guide is also a possibility.
The Hidden Valley Trail
Volunteers are needed for trail maintenance, construction and gardening.
The Monteverde Institute
The Monteverde Institute designs and administers programs in Tropical Ecology, environmental education, and agroecology in collaboration with foreign and Costa Rican institutions. As a local institution deeply rooted in and committed to the Monteverde community and area, the Institute also provides local education, cultural, and social programs.
Volunteer Work
Opportunities vary depending on the interest and length of stay of the student. Recent volunteers have planted trees in a reforestation program, worked on trail maintenance, and worked with the women’s group Vida in issues of domestic violence.
The Monteverde Conservation League
The Monteverde Conservation League is a non-profit association dedicated to the preservation of the surrounding forest areas through environmental education, reforestation, and environmental preservation in general. One of the League’s most well-known projects is the International Children’s Rainforest. This project encourages school children to raise funds in order to purchase sections of rain forest which are then incorporated into the aforementioned protected reserve.
Volunteer Work
Jobs vary. Examples include reforestation, trail maintenance, and working the in Welcome Center/Library.
Public Schools
As are schools throughout the world, the public schools in Monteverde are always in need of extra assistance to give students individual attention. Opportunities also exist to give English classes during school hours.
Volunteer Work
Two public schools in the Monteverde zone need volunteers to tutor students outside of class in Physics, Math, English, or Computers. This is a good opportunity for someone looking for experience in the teaching field. Volunteers may also be able to give English classes during regular school hours.
The Creative Learning Center (Centro Educativa Creativa/ CEC)
The Creative Learning Center is a bilingual elementary school the emphasizes ecological awareness and creative arts.
Volunteer Work
Volunteers work outside the classroom in varied projects such as trail work, organic gardening, reforestation, plant rehabilitation, and mini-courses after classes.
Interns help the teachers with the students during class time.
Requirements:
+Must enroll in any program for at least 3 weeks.
English Program
The Creative Learning Center is a bilingual elementary school the emphasizes ecological awareness and creative arts.
Volunteer Work
In addition to the Spanish immersion program, the school offers English classes to Costa Ricans in the afternoon. In an effort not only to make the classes affordable for the community, but also to offer individual attention to every student, we use volunteers in four different areas.
Requirements:
+Native English Speaker
+Basic knowledge of English grammar.
+Must enroll in any program for at least 2 weeks.
Medical Consultation
Observe the doctor of the Santa Elena clinic as she sees patients in the clinic, or go with the medical personnel of the clinic to see patients in Monteverde and the surrounding communities. This is a good experience for medical students to observe how to work in a situation with limited materials in rural Costa Rica.
Volunteer Work
Observe the doctor of Santa Elena in the clinic or accompany the personnel of the clinic to see patients in the area.
Requirements:
+Must be a medical student or work in a health related field.
Community Health Education
This program was developed by the Minister of Health in order to educate rural Costa Rican on general health and nutrition, as well as prevention of illness and disease.
Volunteer Work
The program needs volunteers to visit families and explain the health problems of the area and how to prevent them.
Child Care
Interacting with children is a good way for students to practice Spanish and to learn about the Costa Rican family. Different families in Monteverde have completed applications to receive volunteers to care for their children both while parents are working and while they are at home.
Volunteer Work
The program needs volunteers to visit families and explain the health problems of the area and how to prevent them.
Requirements:
+Experience with children.
+Must enroll in a language program for 3 weeks.
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