Our mission: We are a social non-profit organisation caring for children, teenagers and their families (psychologically, spiritually, by means of education, recreational activities and social education). The children attended in the center come from very difficult socio-economic situations, such as drug problems, sexual abuse, physical, sexual and mental aggression, domestic violence and neglect.
Our vision: We try to improve the wellbeing of children in Costa Rica and we work against the people who destroy their lives and families. Our aim is to help them, their families and our country to create a secure and promising future.
Our aims: Giving attention to our target group, in order to facilitate their individual, familiar, social and emotional development, which is essential for being integrated into society.
The people we work with: They are children and teenagers from 6 to 15 years old, who have a difficult socio-economic background and are threatened by poverty. Usually, we support around 120 children who can come to Oratorio from Monday to Friday from 7:50 am to 4:45 pm.
Our programme: In Oratorio, the child is seen as a social and spiritual (integral) human being which belongs to a family and the community. Due to this, the support given is strongly connected with the families and our community.
We work with the following topics: Psychological and social, therapy, prevention, music, arts, sports, spiritual, health, academic education (we work according to the Sistema de Tutorias Educativas of the Education Ministry of Costa Rica and have three teachers for primary school, one for music and one for special support), recreation, individual attention and material to support (all for children, teenagers and their families).
San José
- To have a lot of initiative, be proactive (very important)
-To enjoy working with children
-To be patient and tolerant
-To be sociable
-To be respectful towards the rules of the institution
-To have at least a basic Spanish level, be willing to speak only Spanish in the project.
-To be a good example for the children.
-To dress appropriately.
The project is closed two weeks during Christmas and one week during Easter. Vacations have to be communicated and authorized by the director in advance.
Work : Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4.30 pm.
It is important to know that volunteers will never be alone with children, but always accompanied by a staff member, meaning that they won't give classes or go out of the institution with the children alone due to the responsibility they have.
Moreover, keep in mind that the organisation is Catholic. They do NOT expect you to be religious, but to respect their beliefs as well as they respect yours.
The project is interested in receiving volunteers who have experience with children with mental or physical disabilities as they also receive children with this specific conditions.
The cost of the volunteer project : 175 USD per week.
Each project has a different cost, which includes lodging and 3 meals a day. Note that the program does not include daily local transportation.
The cost of the administrative ACI Fee will depend of the number of weeks of your project :
1 - 4 weeks : 165 USD
5 - 8 weeks : 265 USD
9 - 12 weeks : 365 USD
12 - 16 weeks : 465 USD
16 - 20 weeks : 565 USD
-Assist staff with everyday tasks.
-Play games with the children, assist the teacher in charge of recreation.
-Help with meal times.
-Assist with cooking and cleaning.
-Support teachers in the integral education process, academic assisting for improvement - help children with their homework and their development in classes, for example Maths, English, French, Spanish, Science, Music, History and Geography.
-Assist in workshops related to arts and crafts, dance, music.
-Support in maintaining the vertical garden.
-Fundraising.
-Volunteers should inform the project in which parts they are good and can support.
The project is located in the centre of San José, the capital city of Costa Rica and also its biggest city, which means volunteers will have access to all kinds of services and facilities.
It is important to mention that volunteers have to pay attention and be careful when walking around the neighbourhood, careful about the traffic and not paying attention to anybody in the street.
The project is located very close to the ACI office, which means staff members from ACI can support the new incoming volunteers to enter the first day.
Hosting situation is provided by Local Family.
The volunteer will be able to discover the region during the time off.
