Girl's boarding school for at-risk girl's in Alajuela

Name: Girl's boarding school for at-risk girl's in Alajuela
Start: 2025-11-21
End: 2025-12-31
Location: Alajuela, Costa Rica

Code: 05921bcf2fb94ba58bcdedbde8e93dbc Copied

Costa Rica Education Children Social work Education Children +1 Permanent

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Niños con Cariño is a non-profit association founded in 1978 in the city of Alajuela, Costa Rica. It manages a boarding home for girls between 4 and 15 years old who live in situations of risk and social vulnerability. The organization offers a comprehensive educational and emotional support program: medical and psychological care, academic tutoring, recreational and cultural activities, and family guidance. The girls stay from Monday to Friday until 5:00 p.m., and go back home on weekends to maintain family ties. The organization promotes values such as responsibility, respect, empathy, and solidarity, helping the girls to develop their full potential in a safe and caring environment.

💼 What the programme involves

Volunteers will join the educational and care team, supporting daily activities with the children and contributing to their personal and social development. Main tasks during the school year: Support educators in daily routines and activities; Help prepare snacks and assist in the kitchen; Assist with cleaning and organizing dormitories; Support the girls with their homework; Participate in sports, artistic, and recreational activities; Encourage games and educational workshops. During school vacations (mid-December to mid-February): Prepare educational material; Reorganize dormitories; Sort and arrange clothes and supplies. Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30/4:00 p.m. (lunch provided by the project).

🏠 Accommodation on site

Volunteers are hosted by a Costa Rican host family selected by ACI Costa Rica. Accommodation includes meals and a private or shared room depending on availability. Families live in Alajuela or nearby, allowing easy access to the project site.

📍 About the location

Alajuela, known as “The City of Mangoes“, is located 20 km northwest of San José. It is a lively and welcoming city surrounded by coffee plantations and close to the famous Poás and Arenal volcanoes. With its mild climate all year long, Alajuela combines a friendly local atmosphere with easy access to Costa Rica's natural wonders. Volunteers can enjoy local markets, museums, and traditional cafés, or explore nearby national parks and waterfalls on weekends. During their free time, volunteers can: Visit Alajuela's central market, parks, and museums; Explore San José's National Theatre and Gold Museum; Hike in Poás Volcano National Park; Join ACI Costa Rica cultural excursions; Enjoy weekend trips to the Pacific beaches or nearby rainforests.

⚠️ Requirements

Motivation to work with children and adolescents; Patience, empathy, and responsibility; Respect for confidentiality and institutional rules; Basic level of Spanish recommended (Spanish courses available at ACI Costa Rica); Minimum stay: 4 weeks (up to 12 months). Note: The project hosts only girls (4–15 years old). Volunteers of any gender are welcome.

ℹ️ Additional information

School vacation periods (when activities may vary): Easter (1 week) Mid-July (2 weeks) Mid-December to mid-February (2 months) The project runs throughout the year and welcomes volunteers during both school terms and vacation periods.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.

📅 Available sessions

ACICRC24-20

21/11/2025 at 00:00 → 31/12/2025 at 00:00

Closed

0 / 6

♂ 0/3 ♀ 0/3

ℹ️ Key information

Age required

18–99 years old

Solidarity donation

650.00 USD ≈ 582 EUR

French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).

📍 Location

2RF3+46H Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Costa Rica

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Costa Rica Colon (CRC / ₡)

Exchange rate

1 CRC = 0.001986 EUR

Rate as of 31/05/2026

Timezone

Central Standard Time

Local time: 21:26 (12/11/2026)

🛡️ Before you leave

Security information

📞 Contact us

[email protected]

+32 2 888 67 13

Contact form

✅ Features

🏠 Accommodation

Collective

🗣️ Languages spoken

English Spanish