Global Volunteers' unique philosophy of service ensures your work projects help advance the host community's current development vision and goals. Always serving at the invitation and under the direction of host community partners, each Global Volunteers team member works alongside local people, and personally contributes to needed project financing through their service program fee. Our long-term commitment to work in partnership on sustained community development projects enables you, in just a short time, to serve as a critical link in a chain of lasting community enhancements. Most of the work projects are labor-based and require light to heavy effort, such as constructing community centers or laying tile in a community health care center. Some childcare-related and tutoring assistance is also sometimes requested.

While we may not be able to advise you in advance what your specific assignments will be, we can provide you a general sense of what the work projects will be on specific service programs.

“It has taken many women and men from other countries to recognize our needs, our potential. Were it not for the Global Volunteers, we would not be here today, planning a second store. You are the ones who have made a difference in our lives to dream and actually believe it is possible!”
- Dona Nery, CASEM

In the Monteverde area villages, volunteers have worked on:

• Healthcare and community centers;
• A soccer field and dressing room;
• A school lunch room, playground, garden and teacher housing;
• An addition to an elementary school.

At the local high school, volunteers work with the students on school construction projects. All projects are determined by the students and faculty. Past projects included:

• A covered walkway between the two main school buildings to protect the students and teachers from the rain;
• Assisting in the completion of a gymnasium; and
• Landscaping and beautification.