📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Green Lion
💼 What the programme involves
The program consists of working with students aged between 6 months and 6 years, teaching and playing in English. You can choose to be with the younger or older children if you wish, or to work with all ages. Participants will be working alongside local staff, but will be free to bring their own ideas into class. It is important to understand that the methods of teaching are less important than the attitude of the participant towards the children. In addition, the subjects to be taught can alter, depending on current activities in the schools which might include, for example, environmental issues or current festivals. In holiday periods there are special events and programmes to keep the children entertained and engaged.
The childcare program serves a dual purpose; of course it is meant to help children to have fun and to learn English with a mother tongue or very fluent speaker, but it also benefits you, giving you an insight into childcare and the Costa Rican education system as well as an excellent opportunity to form bonds with students, teachers and even parents, and so take a full role in the community.
🏠 Accommodation on site
About the Accommodation
Your new home will be one of two newly built eco houses in our centre in Esparza: Jaguar House and Toucan House.
The two houses sleep up to 22 people. Most rooms have bunk beds and are shared on a single gender. One room in each house has a bunk bed with a double bed below, single above, suitable for couples or small families, if needed. (Private rooms can be obtained at additional cost; this must be arranged before arriving for your program).
All doors are lockable and we advise you, for added security, to make use of this when you leave your room.
There is also a large dining hall/games room/communal area shared by both houses, with free WiFi, TV and table tennis, and a large garden of tropical plants, including coconut palm, papaya, banana, and citrus
Food Arrangements
Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. The meals will mainly be a mix of traditional and modern Costa Rican food, so you may experience the Costa Rican take on foods you will be familiar with. Most meals will include either fish, chicken, pork or beef, but vegetarians can be catered for.
📍 About the location
Esparza is a medium-sized agricultural town nestled amongst the mountains above Rio Barranca, in the Central Pacific Coast area of Costa Rica. The area was first settled by the Chorotega and Huetar peoples. The Chorotega people fled from Mexico 1,500 years ago and brought their traditions with them. This is a possible reason why there are Mexican words which jump several countries and turn up again in Costa Rica.
The Spanish town was founded in 1577, making it the second oldest in the country. It has a rich history which includes legends of hidden pirate gold. Esparza is the second largest canton in the province of Puntarenas, covering an area of 216.80 km², and with a population of approximately 35,000.
The pace of life is relaxed. It is not unusual to see horses being ridden in the street. The town itself is off the tourist trail. However, the nearest beach for surf and relaxation is only 20 mins (14kms) away. Within a distance of 25 kilometers, you can also find canopy tours as well as the world-famous attractions of Puntarenas, including a marine park and a newly renovated marina. Likewise, the nearest national park, Carara, is only an hour's drive away.
ℹ️ Additional information
Open all year, starting on each Monday, participation fee 280€ per week.