My volunteer work with children in San José

From January 1st to January 30th, 2023 I worked as a volunteer in a kindergarten in San José. Working with the children between the ages of six months and twelve years was very exciting and eventful. The children are very empathetic and not afraid of contact. My duties consisted mainly of assisting with childcare, helping with lunch, playing outside, etc.

On various days I was also allowed to bring the children closer to the German language. They participated with great enthusiasm. The directors, Carolina and Melissa, supported me well in all my tasks and we had a very friendly relationship. They are very competent in bringing up the children and do their work very lovingly (sometimes up to 25 children were present).

When I arrived at the San José airport, I was greeted by Alberto, the volunteer house team leader. The house is very well furnished and spacious, with three rooms (for a maximum of five people), two bathrooms, a large living room and a fully equipped kitchen. We were also able to express wishes regarding the catering and there were always enough food supplies available.

Alberto helped me a lot with everything, be it with various trips over the weekends or with transport to the daycare center. He was always available by phone and also very concerned that I always got back to the guest house safely. We were also able to take part in some of the excursions he organized, which was always very exciting due to his enormous knowledge of the landscape and the population.

During this time I got a very good insight into the social life of the people of Costa Rica. Even if the life of families with their children is certainly not always easy, I felt the joie de vivre and was able to understand the "Pura Vida".

I will never forget my stay in Costa Rica and I hope to return again and again.

Field report by Erika, social work with children, January 2023