On July 1st, 2014, I began working with Global Vision International (GVI) in Quepos, Costa Rica as a Community Program Staff Member for Education Programs. I have the pleasure to work with international staff, volunteers and local communities around Quepos. Since taking on this position, I have been promoted to the Community Programs Manager of the Quepos Base.
GVI owns and operates more than 150 volunteer programs worldwide. GVI is a non-political, non-religious organization, which has been operating in the third sector to fill critical voids in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development. GVI has worked for over 10 years to supply quality volunteer programs across the globe and every year over 3000 volunteers join programs from 1 week to over 1 year.
GVI’s mission is to “build sustainable projects that achieve long term positive results” (GVI, 2014, Our Mission Section). GVI strives to instill investment in a project through “trust, respect and mutual understanding” and believes that “fun, friendship and happiness are our most valuable tools to build a cohesive international family” (GVI, 2014, Our Mission Section).
I am fortunate to work with the Quepos, Costa Rica team. To join me on my journey through my blog and see the projects I’ve created along the way, please visit the following pages:
Volunteer End of Program Event
Volunteer Cycle Budgeting Templates
Staff Retreat Agenda and Facilitation Plans
Managing and Scheduling an International Team
Volunteer Continuous Training Design
Intercultural Communication in Practice
Intercultural Training Workshops Design
Charitable Trust Projects-Roncador Challenge
GVI Quepos Programs
At the GVI Quepos base, volunteers from all over the world join us in collaborating with undeserved communities in the region. Presently, we are supporting three elementary schools and one high school. In Cocal Primary School, we are offering one-on-one reading support, arts and sports workshops, and Adult English. In Damas Primary School, our volunteers are leading mandatory extra English support classes, arts and sports workshops and Adult English. In Paquita Primary School, our volunteers support the English and sports teachers as classroom assistants as well as take part in the initial stages of a gardening club led by the English teacher. In the Secondary School, our volunteers lead conversational English classes with two classes of senior high school students studying tourism. In order to prepare our volunteers for this work, we offer workshops in teaching English, reading, lesson planning, curriculum building support, Spanish language practice, and intercultural communication. At our base we have many goals, but overall we want our volunteers and community members to be excited to work together everyday as they discover new cultures, ways of life, and the lifelong joy of learning.