Volunteers in our Daycare Center will assist the teacher and the cook with duties directly relating to the children, play with the children, help children learn to brush their teeth and prepare food packages for donation, and teach basic English.

Located in the charming town of Hojancha in Guanacaste, the Day Care and Nutritional Center was created to function as an educator for parents and kids to teach them better hygiene & eating habits. In addition, they distribute food packages to poor children who live far away from the center who are in need of a more nutritional diet, as well as providing milk to new-born babies and infants.

Hojancha is typical of many towns throughout Costa Rica – its beauty and security are mostly due to her community members who have dedicated their lives to creating a town anyone would feel proud to live in.

Their ability, willingness and energy to organize new institutions according to on-going needs are admirable: a cooperative for coffee growers, sawmills, a forest seed bank, a women’s artisan association, a folklore association, environmental services grant seeking, honey and wood production, and a nursery for ornamental plants). Hojancha is still considered a small town in Guanacaste but it is one of the most respected. 

When the Day Care and Nutritional Center was created, the people embraced it and took care of it. Nowadays, this center, in particular, is a model for others throughout the country. The Director in charge, Cecilia, along with Laura, the teacher, and Maria, the cook, are committed to maintaining the quality of the services they provide. 

“But it’s hard” says Cecilia, “We’re understaffed and the government keeps pressuring us to not only maintain our existing services, but to improve on them every day. That’s why having volunteers not only brings a new face to the kids to play with, it’s an extra help for Maria and Laura and gives me some extra time to catch up with the paper work.” “When the last volunteer, Lindsey Meyers, was here, the kids loved her, they couldn’t wait to see her every day, it really didn’t matter that she couldn’t speak that much Spanish; they just wanted to be with her, and she knew and felt it.” 
 

To read Lindsey's story about her experience volunteering at the Daycare Center, please click on the following: Lindsey's Daycare Experience

On a daily basis, volunteers will assist the teacher in keeping the children busy and under control, play games with them, tidy up the toys, provide cooking lessons, prepare the food for the children and their mothers, prepare food packages, make sure the children eat and then brush their teeth, assist the children in taking their naps, deliver food from the center, teach basic English, and pretty much whatever is needed. There are two work shifts in the center – morning and afternoon. The children normally come for one or the other, but a few of them spend all day at the center while their parents are working. At noon several mothers arrive at the center to eat lunch as well. 

Volunteers here have to be enthusiastic, active, creative, and proactive…and must love children! 

This place is very inspirational, not only because of all the wonderful people who benefit from it, but because the children and the staff are just so wonderful and loving. It is an excellent place to get a dose of positive energy, humbleness and compassion. 

With regard to lodging, we recommend staying with a host family in Hojancha. It gives you a unique experience and insight into the Costarican culture as well as practice some Spanish, taste the local food, make new friends and feel embraced. All of our host families are extremely kind and have decided to open their houses to volunteers. You really don’t want to miss this part of the experience! However, for those who would prefer, another nice option would be to stay at the Dorati Lodge, where you will get your own cottage for a very reasonable upgrade to our regular pricing. 

 

To view pictures from our Daycare and Nutritional Center please click below:

When in Hojancha, you don’t want to miss some of the most amazing and educational tours in the area such as the Diria Coffee and Wildlife Tempisque River Tour, and a zip-line canopy tour (one of Costa Rica’s must-do adventure activities). Also, make sure you visit some of the beaches in Guanacaste. 

At Tropical Adventures we feel honored to be able to work with these wonderful people and such a great example of a successful project. It’s really a magical place you are sure to adore. 


View Tropical Adventures Foundation Map – CR in a larger map

Complete Project Information
Type Children & Education 
Length Minimum: 2 Days
Maximum: Unlimited
Start Any day of the year
Availability Currently Available 
(except Easter Week and Between December 15 and January 5)
Cost See Prices page for more information
Also available

Spanish Lessons with our Spanish professor for $15 per hour.
Cost Includes
  • Accommodations with host family or Hotel
  • Three Meals Per Day while at Project
  • Country Information and Orientation
  • Volunteer Project Placement
  • Project Training & In-Country Support
  • Travel Insurance
  • Assistance with Planning Excursions and Activities
  • Reference letter or evidence of volunteer service hours
  • 24 hour in-country emergency service
  • Tropical Adventures t-shirt
Schedule Volunteers typically work here from about 8am until about Noon. Participation in other area volunteer activities is often available in the afternoons.
Spanish Lessons: Available in the afternoon or evening.
Accommodations Local Host Family or a nearby hotel. Contact us for more info.
Materials or Preparation Needed All materials will be provided. But please check with us in advance. We can always use donations to help keep the center running. 

 

 

Related posts:

  1. New Project – Daycare Center